Updated 14 December 2025 at 10:13 IST
For The Hustle, Loyalty And Respect: Thank You John Cena, For Never Giving Up
John Cena is now retired and he has called time on his WWE career. John Cena retires from his 23-year-long WWE career as a Grand Slam Champion
An era ends today, a beautiful era that started in 2002 with two words 'Ruthless Aggression', that went on to change the course of the WWE has come to an end. The Greatest of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, John Cena found a home in the WWE and he has left it in a better place as he rides into the sunset forever and starts a brand new chapter of his life.
The intricate art of storytelling in the business of pro wrestling is something that not many understand, but it has shaped many careers that are nothing but legendary and John Cena's story will always be at the pinnacle. The 'Leader Of the Cenation' broke the traditional myth of heels (negative characters in pro wrestling) gaining all the limelight and he went on to prove that there will not be anyone close to him ever again in the business who will come close to making a babyface (good characters in WWE) a larger-than-life figure.
23 Legendary Years Of Hustle, Loyalty And Respect
John Cena's career is purely made up of three ingredients that went on to cement his place on the top of pro wrestling's Mount Rushmore. Hustle, Loyalty and Respect, three words that he didn't just wear on his T-Shirt, but also lived them, every day. Cena's 23-year-long hustle in the sacred squared circle was a testament to his loyalty towards the fans and how much he respected their views and opinions.
In the early years of the 2000s, the WWE was left high and dry with legendary wrestlers like Stone Cold, The Rock, Brock Lesnar and others leaving the sports entertainment industry. Vince McMahon was left clueless as he wanted someone to shoulder the business and John Cena put his hand up and changed the business forever with his sheer hard work and his will to win and give his all.
John Cena has often been very vocal about the WWE being a place that he built, and every word of it is nothing but true. 17 world titles and the Grand Slam champion wasn't won in a day, it was done by a man who hustled day after day and elevated himself to a status of a superhero who doesn't wear a cape. When John Cena announced his retirement during 'Money in The Bank' 2024, it not just was an end of an era, but it marked the end of a childhood of a generation, for whom Cena is, was and forever will be 'Superman'.
The Glorious Cena Era Ends
The man who pledged to 'Never Give Up' in his entire career was defeated via submission by The Ring General Gunther. This was almost poetic that a man who gave it his all inside the WWE ring chose to have an unpredictable end to his WWE career. Cena, the Grand Slam champion, has already cemented his place in the Galaxy of Greats and for his fans, and the millions that love pro wrestling all around the world, John Cena will always remain the Gold Standard.
Published By : Jishu Bhattacharya
Published On: 14 December 2025 at 10:13 IST