John Cena has finally opened up about the true reason behind his WWE retirement, revealing it goes beyond just physical limitations. In a candid conversation with Stephanie McMahon, Cena explained that while he was once able to maintain an intense schedule and stay in peak condition, he’s no longer willing to sacrifice his well-being and personal life for full-time wrestling.
“A schedule like the one I kept in 2013 would break me now,” Cena admitted. “It destroys me and damages my relationships. That’s one part of my life I have to close.”
This shift marks a stark contrast from the workaholic image that propelled Cena to stardom in wrestling. At his prime, Cena often put his wrestling career ahead of his personal life.
He reminisced, “I remember back in 2008, I’d be having dinner with my ex-wife, get a call, and just throw money at her to catch the next flight to an event.”
Cena says he’s now older, wiser, and his priorities have shifted. The WWE icon, who has been married to his current wife Shay for five years, is clear about what matters most to him now.
“I’m here to live my life and appreciate the greatest gift I’ve been given. Among all the privileges and blessings in my life, waking up to this is the biggest part of my life’s focus.”
Having spent over a decade as a top pro wrestler—the pinnacle of his “spear”—the 17-time world champion is prepared to leave wrestling behind, with no regrets about his past choices.
“I don’t regret it at all. I’m glad I can look back and see those moments. I literally threw money at my ex-wife to get on the next plane, and I’m not sorry. I wasn’t forced to do it.”
Nowadays, Cena is on a different path. As he prepares for what might be his final match, his goal is less about personal fame and more about sharing meaningful experiences with those closest to him.
“It’s tough to bring people along with the way I push myself. They have to ride those waves; no one can keep up with me — it’s just me.”
When asked regularly about his retirement, Cena insists it’s not about giving up due to age. Rather, it’s about reevaluating what is most important.
“Why am I retiring? I’m in great shape, life is good. But the grind damages me, damages my relationships, and that’s part of what I have to accept.”
Cena’s next bout will be at WWE SummerSlam, where he plans to defend the WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes. With appearances becoming fewer, Cena is ready to conclude his career on his own terms.
Fan Take: This revelation is significant for WWE enthusiasts as it humanizes one of the sport’s biggest icons, showing that even legends have to prioritize life beyond the ring. Cena stepping back could open doors for new stars to rise, while also reminding fans of the demanding, often harsh realities of professional wrestling.
