John Cena’s Farewell Tour: A Legacy at WrestleMania
Farewell tours have become common in American sports, where legendary athletes receive recognition while competing in their final season. In WWE, John Cena is at this crucial moment. After more than two decades in professional wrestling, with 16 world championships (for now) and being the most recognizable star since Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Cena announced his retirement for the end of 2025.
Cena’s farewell is different from that of other athletes. Unlike figures like Cal Ripken Jr. or Mariano Rivera, Cena has the opportunity to say goodbye on the biggest stage in wrestling. He is expected to headline WrestleMania 41, facing Cody Rhodes at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with the possibility of obtaining his 17th world title.
Before Cena puts on his iconic denim shorts for the last time on a WrestleMania ramp, let’s review 10 matches that have defined his legacy, with perspectives from five of his WrestleMania opponents over the last 20 years: Shawn Michaels, Randy Orton, The Miz, JBL, and Austin Theory.
10. WrestleMania 39: John Cena vs. Austin Theory (champion) for the WWE United States Championship (April 2023)
Although Cena seeks to make history, he has also left a significant mark on the history of the United States Championship. This match was the third time Cena fought for this title at WrestleMania. Theory, who was a Cena superfan, recounts how Cena’s attitude inspired him.
“I immersed myself in the atmosphere of wrestling. It was like a superhero movie in real life. John Cena, when I saw his character and how he behaved, whether he was fighting one guy or five guys, or the world against him, just that attitude: keep going and don’t give up.”
Austin Theory
Theory, after winning the title, faced Cena at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Despite the verbal defeat beforehand on “Monday Night Raw”, Theory absorbed the energy of the more than 67,000 fans and, with the help of a low blow, defeated Cena. After the match, Cena advised Theory to enjoy the moment.
9. WrestleMania 20: John Cena vs. The Big Show (c) for the WWE United States Championship (March 2004)
Cena’s first match at WrestleMania had similarities to Theory’s. Cena, in his twenties, was looking for his first WWE championship at Madison Square Garden. Wearing a Knicks jersey, Cena verbally confronted Big Show. After applying two “F-U” (later known as Attitude Adjustment) and a punch with brass knuckles, Cena was victorious.
8. WrestleMania 21: John Cena vs. JBL (c) for the WWE Championship (April 2005)
Before his opportunity for the 17th title, Cena had to overcome his first reign as WWE World Champion. He faced JBL, a hated villain at the time. JBL, known for his time with The Acolytes, transformed into a polished heel. JBL highlights the importance of this match for Cena.
“Every champion who transcends the sport has to go through hell. Bret Hart did it for Stone Cold. Mick Foley did it for Triple H and The Rock. And I wanted to do that for John. The fans have to see that, if they can believe in their guy.”
JBL
The WrestleMania 21 match, just over 11 minutes long, crowned Cena and gave JBL his due. Although the “I Quit” match at Judgment Day was a classic, defeating JBL at WrestleMania 21 was crucial.
7. WrestleMania 31: John Cena vs. Rusev (c) for the WWE United States Championship (March 2015)
Ten years ago, Cena was in an identity crisis. This match against Rusev seemed to ignite something within him. Rusev highlights Cena’s influence.
“[He asked], ‘What are your four best moves?’ That’s what I learned from him and that I use to this day. He asks you because he just wants to highlight you in the best moments and in the best light. He’s just trying to understand in his head where he’s going to put those four best moves.”
Rusev
The match was a classic, with Cena as the hero against an invincible foreign adversary. Cena had one of his best performances, initiating a series of open challenges that pitted him against rising stars.
6. WrestleMania 27: John Cena vs. The Miz (c) for the WWE Championship (April 2011)
The Miz, who had risen quickly, faced Cena in the main event. The Miz recounts that his matches on European tours with Cena gave him the confidence for this role.
“This was a time when you go to Europe, you have 10 to 15 live events and I was facing John Cena. And what does every good guy want to face? They want to face the ultimate heel, the worst of the worst, the bad guy who gets no respect. And I was getting more hate than anyone, so I was doing that, all while learning from Cena.”
The Miz
The match is remembered for key moments: The Miz suffering a concussion and The Rock’s intervention. The Miz was the second wrestler to defeat Cena at WrestleMania.
5. WrestleMania 22: John Cena (c) vs. Triple H for the WWE Championship (April 2006)
An underestimated moment is Cena’s first match as WWE champion in a main event. Despite the criticism, this match proved that Cena could deliver a quality match at WrestleMania.
4. WrestleMania 36: Firefly Funhouse Match: John Cena vs. ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt (April 2020)
WrestleMania 36, without an audience due to the pandemic, presented a surreal match between Cena and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt. Cena remembers the creation of this match.
“I remember there were three people in one of the NXT conference rooms. And I said, ‘What is a Firefly Funhouse match?’ They said, ‘I don’t know,’ and I said, ‘Great! What can we do?’… Fuck, we can make this a meta look at my life. What do we have in storage… the [SmackDown] fist, the blue cage, I can get some nWo stuff. Dude, we can make this work. I remember that’s the only match I’ve written from start to finish.”
John Cena
3. WrestleMania 24: John Cena vs. Randy Orton (c) vs. Triple H for the WWE Championship (March 2008)
Orton, who has shared the ring with Cena more than 300 times, highlights Cena’s influence. Orton remembers the moment he knew Cena was special.
“In WWE developmental, there was a guy named BJ Payne. Jim Cornette wanted BJ to cut a promo at the show, in front of everyone. BJ, God bless him, stood there for a second… and right then, Cena stood up and cut a promo. It was storytelling 101. We were on the edge of our seats, like: ‘Oh, this guy is really special.’ That was the first time I realized: ‘Oh man, I’m going to know this guy for the rest of my life’”.
Randy Orton
Orton highlights Cena’s duality, loved and hated by the audience, which generated a unique atmosphere in his matches.
2. WrestleMania 28 y 29: John Cena vs. The Rock (April 2012 and April 2013)
Following The Rock’s attack at WrestleMania 27, fans anticipated Cena’s rematch. WrestleMania 28 was a showdown between two superstars who had transcended wrestling. The Rock’s victory set the stage for a final match. A year later, Cena won the title, marking the end of their rivalry, although its influence continues.
1. WrestleMania 23: John Cena (c) vs. Shawn Michaels for the WWE Championship (April 2007)
This match, which was not planned, stands out for the quality of Cena’s performance, considered the best of his career at WrestleMania. Michaels highlights the importance of solidifying Cena as the main figure of the company.
“I always tried to make sure I was 100% prepared for any WrestleMania match I had. At that time, I was working with John, I had no idea what the future held for me. You can’t call yourself Mr. WrestleMania and not have the reputation of having to perform at that level at that show. I fully intended to make sure that John and I were going to work hard. I needed him to reach a higher level that night, hopefully the highest level he had ever reached at that moment, because that’s what I certainly expect of myself, and that’s what I expect of the guys who are in the ring with me. I think John knew that, and that’s something I’ve always appreciated about him. I think it’s something John took very seriously at the time; he wanted to be at his absolute best as well.”
Shawn Michaels
Despite being the “scapegoat” in the match, Michaels had a resurgence in his career. The match exemplifies the essence of their careers and Cena’s impact on wrestling.
