Backstage News On John Cena's WWE Retirement Announcement

A new report has shed some light on John Cena's retirement announcement from this past weekend's Money in the Bank PLE. 

Cena will hang up the jorts in 2025 in what, according to Fightful Select, is scheduled to be a heavily promoted retirement tour. 

Fightful added that Cena is expected to be around fairly often throughout the year, though he will have a number of other obligations (such as filming). The outlet noted that there had been much discussion about how Cena would be utilised both during and after the retirement tour, with WWE adamant that he appear on screen in some capacity once it is over. 

The 16-time world champion is one of WWE's biggest stars ever and has worked a WWE match (including dark matches) every year since 2000, something Cena has taken pride in both publicly and privately in the years he has transitioned into being a part-time talent.

As far as talent are concerned, the ones that Fightful spoke to didn't know of Cena's impending retirement until they saw his 'The Last Time is Now' merchandise. Some in the company were clued in, but it was kept close to the vest. 

Several talents are angling to work with Cena during his retirement tour. One of those is CM Punk, who has openly spoken about his desire to run it back one more time with one of his greatest rivals.