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| wrestler John Cena |
US actor and wrestler John Cena has announced his retirement from competing in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) events.
Cena made the surprise announcement to fans during his appearance at the WWE Money in the Bank event in Canada.
The 47-year-old, who transitioned into acting 18 years ago, stated that his final in-ring competition will be in 2025 as part of a farewell tour.
Cena is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, achieving world champion status 16 times since joining WWE in 2001.
“Tonight I officially announce my retirement from the WWE,” he told fans in Toronto, who reacted with surprise and later chanted “thank you Cena”.
“What an incredible gesture of kindness,” he replied. Wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the words “The Last Time is Now” and his trademark “jorts” (denim shorts), he thanked WWE fans for “allowing me to perform in the house that you built for so many years”.
In a subsequent press conference, Cena expressed his intention to remain part of the WWE family in some capacity despite feeling “physically at my end”.
Cena made his acting debut in 2006 with his role in The Marine, and has since starred in several major films including The Suicide Squad, Fast & Furious 9, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
He has intermittently performed in WWE since 2018 as his acting career gained momentum.
Cena garnered attention earlier this year for a comedic skit at the Academy Awards where he appeared nearly nude, save for a strategically placed envelope.
He is also the most requested celebrity by children through the charity Make-A-Wish, holding a Guinness World Record for fulfilling the wishes of critically ill Make-A-Wish children.
BY BBC NEWS
