John Cena’s announcement that he intends to retire from World Wrestling Entertainment
(WWE) in 2025 wasn’t altogether unexpected: the 47-year-old had previously said that he
wouldn't wrestle past the age of 50.
However, the finality of Cena’s decision means that wrestling fans will now have to begin preparing for a world without the man once dubbed the ‘Doctor of Thuganomics.’
The reality is that you can’t replace an icon like Cena, you can only move on. The 16-time world champion leaves a void after establishing himself as one of the greatest of all time.
Cena Took the WWE to New Heights
Cena played an invaluable role in helping the company move on from the Attitude Era and
reach even greater heights than imaginable.
Through his powerful physique, smart rapping, and iconic one-liners, the Massachusetts-born
wrestler was able to take the WWE into the rarefied atmosphere of sports entertainment.
Consider that following Cena’s time in the company, the WWE is now broadcast into homes
in almost 200 countries with hundreds of millions of fans worldwide.
Additionally, it is one of the biggest-selling PlayStation games in history and now even
features as an option on online casino sites with the game WWE Legends Link and Win. For
example, vendors such as LeoVegas Casino give fans the chance to play this game, which has
taken the online slot gaming industry by storm.
While the WWE's global popularity today is unparalleled, the wider point is that this type of
growth wouldn't have happened as quickly if it weren't for Cena's role in boosting ratings
over the last two decades.
How It Almost Ended for Cena Before It Ever Began
Given how much of a success Cena has been, it’s worth reflecting on the fact that the WWE
think-tank almost cut him from the roster following a failed attempt at turning heel after
attacking tag team partner Billy Kidman in 2002.
Fans were unconvinced of Cena’s character, and a decision to release him was being spoken
about.
However, fate intervened when Cena began rapping on tour buses to pass the time. One thing
led to another and the WWE executives incorporated this creative flow into Cena’s persona
as he soon became the previously mentioned, ‘Doctor of Thuganomics.’
Cena never went back to being a villain and never looked back in the world of professional
wrestling, as he started on the journey to become the biggest household name on the planet.
Cena’s story is one of perseverance, close shaves with disaster, and then finding his true
calling.
Farewell to the Man Set for the Silver Screen
For more than 20 years, Cena has been the heartbeat of the WWE. It is this success that has
enabled him to now focus full-time on his second act in Hollywood.
Indeed, the silver screen will be where fans have to go to follow the exploits of one of the
greatest of all time, after Cena walks away for good next year.
It is goodbye to a man who gave us the Attitude Adjustment and the Five Knuckle Shuffle.
He spent his career telling us that we couldn’t see him in the ring, and now it looks like that
might finally be the case.
