John Cena’s Legacy: A Wrestling Icon in Retirement
The legend of John Cena, whose entrance theme resonates with the promise that “his time is now,” is nearing its end. After announcing his retirement as an active WWE wrestler for 2025, each match is one step closer to the final farewell, including his participation in WWE’s inaugural event, Wrestlepalooza, on September 20th.
Here’s a look at the different stages that have defined his career, from his beginnings to his imminent retirement.
The Protagonist
In 2001, WWE hired John Cena, a former college American football player and aspiring bodybuilder. In his early days, known as “The Prototype”, Cena presented himself as “50% man and 50% machine”.
Implacable Aggression
In June 2002, Cena made his debut on SmackDown, facing Kurt Angle. With a defiant attitude, Cena adopted “Ruthless Aggression”, an era in which wrestlers had to overcome any opponent. This encounter marked the birth of a star.
The Doctor of Thuganomics
Cena’s evolution continued with the creation of the “Doctor of Thuganomics” character, a white rapper from Boston. With his catchphrase “Word Life” and his entrance theme “Basic Thuganomics”, Cena became a charismatic villain, challenging figures like Rikishi and Brock Lesnar.Despite his villainous role, Cena’s connection with the audience grew, and the famous chant “You can’t see me” became a symbol of his popularity.
The Reign of the “Spinner Belt”
Cena reached the top by winning his first world championship at WrestleMania XX in 2004. The customization of the championship belt with a “spinner” design became an iconic element of his image.
The Face of the PG Era
With the transition to WWE’s PG era, Cena became a hero for children, preaching “Hustle, Loyalty, Respect.” Although some fans criticized him, his popularity among the youngest was undeniable, leading to the chants of “Let’s Go Cena!” and “Cena sucks!”.
Nexus: A New Challenge
In 2010, Cena faced Nexus, a disruptive group seeking to overthrow the WWE establishment. Although the angle promised, Nexus’s impact was diminished by creative decisions.
Two Times in Life vs. The Rock
The Rock’s return in 2011 led to an epic rivalry with Cena, culminating in two WrestleMania matches. The first, at WrestleMania XXVIII, was promoted as “Once in a Lifetime”, and the second, at WrestleMania XXIX, saw Cena get his revenge and win the WWE Championship for the thirteenth time.
The U.S. Open Challenge
After losing the world championship, Cena revived the United States open challenge, providing exciting matches against various opponents. This stage included a loss at SummerSlam 2015, where he lost the title to Seth Rollins.
Tying the Record
In 2017, Cena defeated AJ Styles to tie Ric Flair’s record of 16 world championships. This achievement was celebrated by the public, solidifying his legacy in wrestling history.In addition to his success in the ring, Cena has left an indelible mark through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, setting a Guinness record for granting the most wishes.
Dinner in Hollywood
The transition from Cena to Hollywood made him a superstar. He participated in films like “Blockers” and “Bumblebee”, and joined the “Fast & Furious” universe in “F9”. His role in “Peacemaker” demonstrated his versatility as an actor, showing introspective and complex facets.
The Retiro Tour
After helping Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL, Cena announced his retirement for the end of 2025. He tried to break Flair’s record, but he didn’t succeed. His recent heel turn, although brief, surprised the fans, and his subsequent return to the babyface side made it clear that his role in WWE is to be the face. With the retirement tour underway, Cena prepares to say goodbye as the legend he is.
