WrestleMania 41 - Night 1: John Cena def. Gunther(c) to win the World Heavyweight Championship
After losing the men's Royal Rumble match at the eponymous event in February, Cena entered himself into the men's Elimination Chamber match for one last chance to challenge for a world championship at WrestleMania 41, citing that main-eventing his last WrestleMania and becoming a record 17-time WWE world champion would be "best for business". At Elimination Chamber, Cena won the eponymous match, earning a title match against Gunther at WrestleMania.
Cena confronted Gunther on the following Raw, where Gunther stated that he deserved to defend the title against CM Punk instead. In the weeks following, Gunther berated the audience, claiming they had mistreated Cena for the last 20+ years, and that he was disgusted by him. Cena chastised Gunther and told him he wanted to face the real Gunther at WrestleMania 41, not this "whiny" version. Gunther also accused of Cena taking the title with him when he retired if he won. It was later confirmed that the match would be the main event on Night 1.
During the match, Cena countered a powerbomb attempt from Gunther and performed an AA on Gunther for a nearfall. Gunther then attempted to leave the ring with the title belt only to strike Cena with it during a suicide dive attempt from Gunther. Gunther then followed up with a top-rope splash on Cena for a nearfall. In the closing moments, as Gunther attempted another powerbomb, Cena countered and performed his own powerbomb on Gunther. Cena followed up with three AAs and applied an STF on Gunther, who submitted, to win the title.
Backlash 2025: John Cena(c) def. Randy Orton to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
On the following Raw, Cena celebrated his win only to challenge his long-time rival Orton. On SmackDown that Friday, as Orton was about to cut a promo, he was interrupted by Cena, who tried to reason with Orton, who felt he did not deserve a title match. After an exchange of words, Cena offered to defend the title against Orton that night; however, Orton declined, stating that the match should happen in Orton's hometown of St. Louis at Backlash. The match was subsequently made official, and was billed as "One Last Time.”
Throughout the match, Cena and Orton executed their respective moves. At one point, Cena attempted a Punt Kick, but Orton moved out of the way and grabbed the title belt. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on Orton. Orton then performed an RKO on Cena for a nearfall. Orton performed an Attitude Adjustment on Cena through the announce table and another through a table he retrieved. Orton then performed another RKO for a nearfall. In the climax, Cena charged at Orton but struck the referee. Orton then performed another RKO on Cena, but with no referee to count the pin, Orton performed RKOs on Nick Aldis and producers. As Orton attempted a Punt Kick, R-Truth blocked Orton, who laid out R-Truth with an RKO. Cena then performed another AA on Orton to retain the title.
After the match, Orton proclaimed that Cena was what a real world champion looked like.
Saturday Night's Main Event XXXIX: John Cena(c) def. R-Truth to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
During the Backlash post-event press conference, Truth interrupted Cena's promo. This led to Truth challenging Cena to a match for the title.
Prior to Cena's title defense against Truth, The Vision confronted Cena backstage. Rollins commented on the possibility of Cena losing his title to "a comedy wrestler and how that would "ruin wrestling,” something Rollins declared Cena would do if he retired as champion at the end of 2025. Cena would defeat Truth, who passed out in the STF, to retain the title.
After the match, The Vision attacked Cena and Truth only to be thwarted by Jey Uso and CM Punk. Cena then declared that he, Uso and Punk would face The Vision in a six-man tag team match at Money in the Bank, which was subsequently made official.
Money in the Bank 2025: The Vision (with Paul Heyman) def. World Heavyweight Champion John Cena, CM Punk & Jey Uso in a Six-Man Tag Team Match
Cena, Punk and Uso controlled the early portion of the match before The Vision isolated Punk to gain momentum. Midway through the match, tensions between Punk and Cena surfaced and they began shoving each other. Punk accidentally hit Cena with a springboard clothesline. Rollins delivered a superplex to Cena only to get an Uso Splash. Breakker speared Cena off the announce table. Punk later performed a diving elbow drop on Reed through the announce table, taking both men out of the match. As the referee tended to the fallen participants, Rollins used Cena’s championship belt to strike Uso and win the match.
As The Vision celebrated after the match, a hooded figure attacked them. The individual was revealed to be R-Truth, whose contract had recently expired, who struck Rollins with the title belt, causing The Vision to flee through the crowd as the babyfaces recovered.
Night of Champions 2025: John Cena(c) def. CM Punk to retain the World Heavyweight Championship
On the June 9 episode of Raw, Cena was confronted by Punk, who challenged Cena to World Heavyweight Championship match on that night's episode. Cena accepted Punk's challenge only if the title match was at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia, a reference to Punk's past criticisms of the company's partnership with the country. Punk agreed, and the match was subsequently made official for Night of Champions.
Throughout the match, Punk kicked out of three Attitude Adjustments. Punk also applied his own STF on Cena, who reached the ropes to break the hold. After Cena gave in to the fans and decided not to strike Punk with the title belt, Punk countered an Attitude Adjustment attempt into a GTS for a nearfall. While doing his shoulder tackles on Punk, Cena accidentally incapacitated the referee. Punk then performed the GTS on Cena, but there was no referee to make the count. The Vision arrived in an attempt to cost Punk the title. Punk was able to momentarily subdue Breakker and Reed, who then slammed Punk through the announce table. Cena prevented referee Charles Robinson from disqualifying him and took out Rollins with an Attitude Adjustment. As Breakker and Reed attacked Cena, Penta fought them off, but was overpowered by Breakker until Sami Zayn made the save. Penta then took out Breakker and Zayn with a crossbody from the entrance ramp. Punk tossed Reed off the top rope and Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on Reed. As Punk countered an AA into a GTS attempt, Rollins attacked Punk with a stomp before Cena threw him out of the ring. Cena then reversed Punk’s diving crossbody into another AA to retain the title.
SummerSlam 2025: Jey Uso def. John Cena(c) to win the World Heavyweight Championship
Also at Night of Champions, the King and Queen of the Ring finals took place, with the winners receiving a match for the world championship of their respective brand at SummerSlam. The King of the Ring final was won by Raw's Uso; this confirmed that he would challenge Cena for the title at SummerSlam.
During the match, as Jey attempted an Uso Splash, Cena performed a dropkick on Uso and performed a top-rope splash on Uso for a nearfall. As Jey attempted a superkick, Cena countered and performed an AA on Jey for a nearfall. At ringside, while Cena was perched atop the announce table and played to the crowd, Jey tripped Cena off the announce table causing Cena to bleed. Back in the ring, as Jey attempted an AA, Cena countered into an STF. In the closing moments, Jey escaped the submission and performed two Uso Splashes on Cena to win the title.
After the match, Cena picked up the title and handed it to Jey, who embraced his brother Jimmy. The Usos left the ring to let Cena thank the fans. Gunther arrived to send a warning shot to Cena before Brock Lesnar returned for the first time since SummerSlam in August 2023. Gunther attempted a chop on Lesnar, who ducked and countered with an F-5.
Clash in Paris: Logan Paul def. John Cena by disqualification
On the August 8 episode of SmackDown, Paul issued an open challenge, which was answered by Cena. After an exchange of words, Cena wanted to face Paul on that night's episode, which Paul refused, instead challenging Cena to a match at Clash in Paris, which Cena accepted.
During the match, Paul performed a pop-up European Uppercut on Cena. As Cena attempted an Attitude Adjustment on Paul, Paul countered into a buckshot lariat on Cena for a nearfall. Cena performed a Tornado DDT on Paul for a nearfall. Paul performed a Zig-Zag on Cena for a nearfall. Paul performed a swanton and a standing moonsault on Cena for nearfall. As Paul attempted Cena's "five moves of doom,” Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on Paul for a nearfall. Paul performed a Knockout Punch on Cena for a nearfall and Paul performed a Paul from Grace on Cena, for yet another nearfall. Cena performed a Styles Clash on Paul for a nearfall. In the end, Cena avoided Paul’s attempt to hit him with brass knuckles and performed another AA to originally win the match.
However, since the referee saw Paul’s brass knuckles and believed Cena used them, he disqualified Cena and reversed the decision, making Paul the winner. Afterwards, Cena attacked Paul and performed an AA through a broadcast table.
WrestlePalooza 2025: Brock Lensar def. John Cena
On the September 5 episode of SmackDown, Cena lost to Sami Zayn. Following the match, Lesnar confronted Cena and stated that he would see him at Wrestlepalooza. A match between both men was subsequently confirmed for the event.
Lesnar dominated almost the entire match. Cena performed three Attitude Adjustments on Lesnar for a nearfall. As Cena attempted a Five Knuckle Shuffle on Lesnar, Lesnar rose to his feet and performed two F-5s on Cena. In the end, Lesnar performed two more F-5s on Cena to win the match.
Following the match, Lesnar teased another F5 to Cena only to instead shake his hand.
Crown Jewel 2025: AJ Styles def. John Cena
In a promo prior to his match at Clash in Paris, Cena named former rival Styles as someone he wanted to face before his retirement from in-ring competition at the end of 2025. Following Cena’s loss at Wrestlepalooza, Cena posted on X about having a match against Styles, who responded saying he wanted the match as well. Triple H subsequently confirmed a match between them for Crown Jewel.
Styles came out wearing blue and white trunks similar to the ones he wore TNA’s first episode of Impact! on Spike TV that aired on October 1, 2005, nearly 20 years prior. During the introductions, Cena handed a note to Alicia Taylor for her to read as the introduction for Styles, which included references to TNA and the Bullet Club when Styles was in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Cena gained the early advantage with his trademark offense and an Attitude Adjustment, while Styles countered with moves such as the Ushigoroshi and the rack bomb. Both men traded numerous homages, including Cena using The Miz's Skull Crushing Finale, Rusev's Accolade, Chris Jericho's Wall of Jericho, Bray Wyatt's Sister Abigail, Kane's Chokeslam, Orton's hanging middle rope DDT and RKO and Undertaker’s Tombstone Piledriver, while Styles executed Christopher Daniels' Angel's Wings, Frankie Kazarian's Fade to Black, Samoa Joe's Coquina Clutch, Sting's Scorpion Death Drop, and Shawn Michaels' Sweet Chin Music. In the end, Styles countered a diving leg drop into Batista’s Batista Bomb followed by a Styles Clash to score the pinfall victory.
After the match, Styles and Cena embraced and raised each other's hands as a show of mutual respect.
Survivor Series - WarGames 2025: Cody Rhodes def. John Cena in a Street Fight
On the November 10 episode of Raw, Triple H introduced Cena, who addressed his hometown of Boston until he was interrupted by WWE Intercontinental Champion Dominik Mysterio. This led to Triple H ordering him to face Cena for the title, where Mysterio defeated to win the title. Following the match, Mysterio attacked Cena until Rhodes made the save. On the next week of SmackDown, Rhodes interrupted Cena once again, and challenged him to a match. Cena then proposed a match that night, but Rhodes declined. Rhodes said he wanted to face Cena at Survivor Series: WarGames, which Cena accepted and signed the contract for. Rhodes subsequently then revealed the fine print; which was that their match would be a Street Fight. On the final SmackDown before SummerSlam, Rhodes stated that Cena's retirement knocked sense into him and that he wanted to get his edge back en route to regaining the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Cena and Rhodes embraced before fighting. Cena attempted an Attitude Adjustment, but Rhodes countered and slammed Cena onto the steps. Cena and Rhodes then attacked each other with chairs. Cena attempted an Attitude Adjustment, but Rhodes countered and performed a Cody Cutter on Cena for a nearfall. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes, who fired back with a moonsault and a Disaster Kick, all resulting in nearfalls. Rhodes performed another Cody Cutter, Cena performed an electric chair drop, and Rhodes performed a piledriver, which resulted in nearfalls. Cena then performed an Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes. Cena applied the STF on Rhodes, who crawled out of the ring to escape. Cena struck Rhodes in the head with a microphone and performed Code Red on the floor. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes through an announce table for a nearfall. Rhodes performed Cross Rhodes on Cena for a nearfall. Cena performed a diving leg drop and an Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes for a nearfall. Cena grabbed a table from under the ring, but Rhodes performed a DDT on Cena.
Cena and Rhodes then fought through the crowd and under the stage. Cena emerged from the stage through the elevator Rhodes used for his entrance, carrying Rhodes on his shoulders and delivered an Attitude Adjustment before carrying him once more to the ring. Rhodes sent Cena through the table and performed Cross Rhodes for a nearfall. Rhodes struck Cena in the head with a steel chair and an exposed turnbuckle pad. Cena applied the STF on Rhodes, this time wrapping the rope around Rhodes's neck, but Rhodes wrapped the rope around Cena's head. Cena escaped and attempted an Attitude Adjustment, but Rhodes countered and performed Cross Rhodes three times for a nearfall. Rhodes attempted to strike Cena with a chair, but Cena ducked and performed the Attitude Adjustment twice before tossing the title aside and performing an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes for a nearfall. In the end, as Cena attempted an Avalanche Attitude Adjustment on Rhodes through a table, Rhodes countered and performed a Cody Cutter through a table. As Cena struggled to stand, Rhodes saluted Cena and then pinned him following Cross Rhodes to win the match.
Saturday Night's Main Event XLII: Gunther def. John Cena
In August 2025, it had been officially announced that Cena's last match would take place at Saturday Night's Main Event XLII on December 13, and it was later confirmed that his final opponent would be decided in The Last Time Is Now tournament, which began on the November 10 episode of Raw. The final of The Last Time Is Now tournament took place on the December 5 episode of SmackDown, where Gunther defeated Jey Uso to become Cena's final opponent at the event, setting up a rematch from WrestleMania.
During the match, Gunther performed European uppercuts and heavy chops on Cena. Cena performed the Five-Knuckle Shuffle on Gunther and attempted a Attitude Adjustment, only for Gunther to counter with a suplex and apply the sleeper hold on Cena who escaped. Cena applied the STFU; however, Gunther reached the ring ropes to void the submission. Gunther performed a powerbomb and four consecutive clotheslines on Cena. As Gunther attempted a fifth clothesline, Cena avoided it and performed a second Five-Knuckle Shuffle and Attitude Adjustment on Gunther for a nearfall. At ringside, Cena countered a powerbomb attempt and performed a second Attitude Adjustment on Gunther through the table. Cena performed a leg drop from the top rope and a Super Attitude Adjustment from the middle rope on Gunther for a nearfall. Gunther countered a third Attitude Adjustment attempt with a powerbomb and a Frog Splash on Cena for a nearfall. In the closing moments, Gunther repeatedly applied the sleeper hold on Cena who repeatedly escaped; However, Cena eventually tapped out thus Gunther won the match via submission, officially marking the end of Cena's in-ring professional wrestling career.
Following the main event, the crowd applauded John Cena and cheered him with various chants such as "Thank You, Cena!" before several WWE officials, current and retired wrestlers, and referees came out and surrounded the ring, which included talents from Raw, Smackdown, and NXT. After taking a few bows, Cena then removed his sneakers and armbands he used during the match and placed them in the center of the ring, before leaving to give one final salute on the stage as the event went off the air.