John Cena Announces He Will Compete In Elimination Chamber, ‘Me Main Eventing WrestleMania Is Best For Business’

John Cena will do what's best for business.

John Cena was the runner-up in the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble, which was his final appearance in a Royal Rumble. Cena, who is usually humble, stated in the post-show press conference that he knows he must do what is best for business because his career is running out.

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Instead of fielding questions from the media, John Cena declared his intent to win the WWE Elimination Chamber to ensure that he headlines his final WrestleMania in Las Vegas. He stated that he would do what is best for business.

"In the 23 years I’ve been in this business, I know there are different perspectives about my path. The truth is, I’ve never used my opportunities for a spot that I haven’t earned," he said. "Tonight was special, for many reasons. It has begun to sink it in that it was my last Royal Rumble. In Las Vegas, in looking at the sign, when it was to two, and I had a moment to let the energy sink in, I realized that Las Vegas is my last WrestleMania. The last time I main evented a WrestleMania was 2013. That’s a long time ago. The reason that hasn’t been at the forefront in my mind, I’ve been a gimmick, I’ve been the first match, I’ve been in the middle, I’ve shared beers with the fans. My truth, my perspective, is I’ve always done what’s best for business. Tonight, standing in that ring, I wanted this experience to be a tour of goodwill. I’ve openly admitted that I don’t know how much I have left in the tank and I just wanted to do something that would be nice for all of us to get together and have a good time. Unfortunately tonight, it dawned on me that’s not best for business. What is best for business is I main event WrestleMania. What is best for business is that I confidently say that I’m going to win a 17th championship. I’m announcing tonight that I will compete in the Elimination Chamber.

"I’m saying that because after 23 years of loyal service to the company, I feel that opportunity is earned, he continued. "Yes, I’m flying back to Hungary to film a movie. What I’m going to do is give my five other opponents one month to slander my name and bolster their self-confidence the best that I can. I told Toronto when I announced my retirement that I was grateful for the city and I would be back, and I would be back to kick ass. It is time to walk that talk and be who I say I am. I’m going to the Elimination Chamber to win, and I’m going to main event my final appearance in WrestleMania and win a 17th championship because that’s what’s best for my ego. It is not best for my business. I have built my existence here off of hard work, loyalty to this company, and respect for all of its branches. I will win 17, not for me. I will win 17 to someday shake the hand of the person who wins 18. Thank you very much."

It is not yet known what will be at stake in the Elimination Chamber Match or who his opponents will be, but John Cena has called his shot. The WWE Elimination Chamber PLE goes down on March 1 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jey Uso won the Royal Rumble. Learn more about that here

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