Brianna WilliamsMar 17, 2025, 08:42 PM ET
The last time is now.
John Cena kicked off his retirement tour during the Netflix debut of "Monday Night Raw" on Jan. 6.
The WWE superstar has wrestled in a part time capacity since 2018, but announced in July that he expects to wrestle 30 to 40 matches in 2025 to conclude his final year.
During his appearance in the ring at the Intuit Dome, he had quite a list of who could be his opponent for his final match.
Could it be Logan Paul? Would CM Punk suffice? Perhaps Roman Reigns would be more fitting?
Here's a hint at who that could be and more highlights from "The Last Time is Now John Cena Farewell Tour."
Booed in Brussels -- March 16
"I am not a heel, I'm a human being."
John Cena made it clear that he is done playing the hero in an appearance on Monday Night Raw in Belgium. The WWE icon fully embraced his shocking heel turn with a venomous rant aimed directly at fans.
"For 25 years, I have been the victim of an abusive relationship," he declared. "All I did was work hard and win. And what did I get for it? I got hate. It was never enough for you."
"I don't need you," he continued, intensifying the hostility as the crowd erupted in boos
But WWE champion Cody Rhodes wasn't having it.
"Where's the guy on this shirt, right here?" Rhodes said, motioning toward the illustration of Cena performing his signature salute on his shirt.
Calling Cena "whiny," he set the stage for their WrestleMania 41 clash -- a massive showdown set for April 19 in Las Vegas.
Looks like John Cena has finally EMBRACED THE HATE!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/ftOu4r8EM1
— WWE (@WWE) March 17, 2025*mic drop*#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/rPb46JuRTN
— WWE (@WWE) March 17, 2025Heel turn at the Elimination Chamber -- Mar. 1
In his final WWE Elimination Chamber match, Cena and longtime rival CM Punk were the final two wrestlers left standing. Cena prevailed over Punk, winning his record-tying fourth Chamber match and punching his ticket to WrestleMania 41.
THEN. NOW. FOREVER. TONIGHT.#WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/0OQGtdns37
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2025CENA WINS! CENA WINS! CENA WINS!#WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/zva1l6I7eK
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2025Later, after Cody Rhodes rejected The Rock's offer for his soul, Cena turned heel and viciously beat Rhodes after initially shaking his hand and hugging him.As a result of winning the Elimination Chamber match, Cena will challenge Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE championship at WrestleMania 41.
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2025A loss in his final Royal Rumble -- Feb. 1
Cena looked like he was about to win his third Royal Rumble, with only Jey Uso in his way. Uso rallied, however, tossing Cena out of the ring and shocking the wrestling world.
JEY USO just won the 2025 Men's #RoyalRumble Match! pic.twitter.com/xAy0S6ArHn
— WWE (@WWE) February 2, 2025Farewell, Los Angeles. Hello, Indianapolis. -- Jan. 6
"I'm not just going to the Royal Rumble, I'm going to win the Royal Rumble!"
Cena shared that Monday Night Raw's first show of the year would be his final WWE appearance in the City of Angels.
After thanking Los Angeles -- and more specifically, Inglewood -- he made a declaration implicating that he's looking to get his 17th world championship - which would break his tie with Ric Flair for most in WWE history.
While running through the options of how he could achieve that goal, Cena settled on the Royal Rumble before declaring he would win it.
The Royal Rumble is on Feb. 1 in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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