One of the most iconic names in professional wrestling, John Cena, has officially announced that he will retire from WWE sometime in 2025. But before stepping away from the ring, Cena has created history in a way no other wrestler has managed to do.
Historic Win at WrestleMania 41
During the main event of the second night of WrestleMania 41, John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes in a dramatic match to become WWE Champion for the 17th time. With this win, he set a new WWE world record for the most championship reigns, surpassing the legendary Ric Flair, who previously shared the record of 16 titles with Cena himself.
This milestone makes John Cena the first wrestler in WWE history to win the world championship 17 times — a feat that may not be broken anytime soon.
The Heel Turn That Shocked Fans
What made this achievement even more shocking was Cena’s sudden heel turn—a rare move in his decades-long career. For over two decades, Cena portrayed the role of a face, or a heroic figure, known for his positive attitude, inspiring speeches, and “Never Give Up” mantra. His fan-friendly image made him a global superstar not just in America, but also in countries like Pakistan, where wrestling has a strong fan base.
However, after an Elimination Chamber match earlier this year, Cena shocked fans by attacking Rudy Codds and aligning himself with The Rock, turning into a villainous character for the first time since 2003.
A Guinness World Record for Loyalty
John Cena’s transformation from face to heel came after 7,786 days of portraying a positive hero-like role, beginning from November 6, 2003. This long-standing image earned him a second entry into the Guinness World Records, making him the wrestler who remained a “good guy” for the longest time in WWE history.
Not a Clean Victory, But Still Historic
Cena’s win at WrestleMania 41 wasn’t a clean one. In a heated back-and-forth match, Cody Rhodes appeared to have the upper hand. At one point, he was on the verge of winning, until rapper Travis Scott suddenly intervened, pulling the referee out of the ring. This interference gave Cena the opening he needed to use the WWE Championship belt as a weapon, hitting Rhodes and pinning him for the victory.
This controversial win marked the end of Cody Rhodes’ more-than-a-year-long reign, which had started at WrestleMania 40.
The End of an Era
John Cena’s announcement of retirement has left fans emotional. After spending more than 20 years in WWE, earning respect and admiration for his work ethic, discipline, and inspirational character, Cena will soon hang up his boots. His decision to retire in 2025 means fans still have a few more months to witness his greatness inside the ring.
Whether as a hero or a villain, Cena’s influence on WWE is undeniable. From epic rivalries to countless championship matches, and now his final historic reign, John Cena’s legacy will live on forever in the world of wrestling.
Stay tuned for more updates as the wrestling world continues to react to Cena’s retirement and record-breaking title win.
