WWE star John Cena retires from wrestling after submission loss

Pro wrestling superstar John Cena ended his 24-year WWE tenure at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., by doing what he hadn’t done in more than 20 years: He tapped out.

Cena submitted to former two-time WWE heavyweight champion Gunther at “Saturday Night’s Main Event” in a stellar final match that had the crowd hanging on to every moment, hoping that Cena would go out with a win.

Instead, Cena’s tap-out signaled to fans that his time is finally over, and he is going out on his terms

Cena signed with WWE in 2001 under the name The Prototype and made his “SmackDown” debut under his real name in a losing effort to Kurt Angle on June 27, 2002. Cena struggled as a singles wrestler until he adopted the “Doctor of Thuganomics” heel character that saw him perform freestyle raps in promos.

Eventually, Cena became one of the most beloved wrestlers on the roster and a 17-time world champion, the most world title reigns recognized by WWE.

He was in the main event of WrestleMania six times, and he is recognized as one of the greatest professional wrestlers.

After sporadic appearances as a part-time performer from 2017 to 2024, Cena announced at WWE’s Money in the Bank Premium Live Event on July 6, 2024, that he would retire from in-ring action at the end of 2025.

Cena’s retirement tour formally began at the Royal Rumble in January, when he was eliminated by Jey Uso. Cena stunned the wrestling world by turning heel for the first time since 2003 at Elimination Chamber on March 1. He eventually won his 17th world championship by defeating Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania in April. The heel turn was short-lived, as Cena dropped the bad guy gimmick and the title to Rhodes at SummerSlam in August.

After wrestling Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles and Sami Zayn, a tournament was announced to decide who Cena’s last opponent would be at “Saturday Night’s Main Event.” Cena won and lost the Intercontinental Championship to Dominik Mysterio while waiting for the tournament to conclude, making him a Grand Slam champion.

Gunther won the tournament and submitted Cena with a sleeper hold in a match that lasted just under 25 minutes. During the closing stretch, Gunther relentlessly kept Cena in the sleeper hold as the fans voiced their support for their hero. However, Cena finally tapped out as fans stared in disbelief, with some shedding tears.

Those in the WWE locker room came out to celebrate Cena, as WWE World Heavyweight champion CM Punk and Undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes handed their belts to Cena to salute the retiring wrestler. Paul “Triple H” Levesque presented Cena with a video package.

Rather than give a speech, Cena left his wristbands and shoes in the ring, walked up the entrance ramp, turned and gave one last salute to the camera and fans.