John Cena stressed that there is “not enough money” in the world to make him reconsider his retirement from WWE.
The 47-year-old wrestler-turned-actor recently announced that he will retire for good in December 2025 after spending most of next year on tour. He is not planning a surprise comeback after his last fight.
He told ComicBook, “There’s no check writer with enough money that could change my mind if I quit in December. I don’t want to continue for ego or financial reasons.”
“I’ve built a relationship of trust and authenticity with WWE over the years, and that means the people who think I’m trash and the people who believe in me know that I’m honest with them and trustworthy.
“I mean what I’m saying: When I’m done in December, I’m done. It’s the last time I’ll be in a ring.”
Cena made his official WWE debut on SmackDown in 2002 and has competed in at least one match every year since then.
The “Jackpot!” actor plans to remain involved with the company in some capacity after his retirement, but he will trade his signature outfit – including the jorts – for a suit.
He explained: “I will be a member of the WWE family as an ambassador and a grateful one, but you will see me wearing that (dots to wear), not the wristbands, the jeans, the baseball cap.
“That will be over in December 2025, and that is why we attach so much importance and significance to this farewell tour.”
The “Peacemaker” star, who like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Dave Bautista and others has traded the wrestling ring for the bright lights of Hollywood, wants to create “something special” for generations of fans before his retirement.
He said: “It really is the last time for many generations that grandparents, parents and children come together at the same time.
“Grandparents might say, ‘I didn’t know anything about wrestling and my son dragged me here.’ That son now has a son and a daughter of his own, and they like John Cena, and now their kid likes Cody Rhodes.
“I want to try to create something special where we can all come together one last time and reminisce about 25 years of memories.”
John Cena insists no payday can make him reconsider his retirement from WWE
