John Cena Denies Rumors, Confirms WWE Retirement Match Still Set for Historic SNME

John Cena reiterated Friday that he is retiring for good following his final WWE match in December.

In response to a post from WWE's X account regarding his retirement match at the Dec. 13 Saturday Night's Main Event in Washington, D.C., Cena confirmed that he will never wrestle again after that show:

Cena addressed "speculation or rumors" in his post, and although no viable rumors have suggested that Cena intends to continue wrestling beyond Dec. 13, it hasn't stopped some fans from speculating that he could return to the ring in the future.

The 17-time world champion threw cold water on that idea, though, noting that he strives to "be a person whose word has value."

Last year, Cena announced that 2025 would be his final year as an active wrestler, giving fans an entire year to celebrate his illustrious career.

He has had memorable matches against old and new rivals alike, and he even had a shocking heel turn mixed in, although Cena returned to his babyface roots before SummerSlam.

The 48-year-old veteran's retirement tour has been panned at times due to the ill-fated heel turn, the fact that he needed help from rapper Travis Scott to beat Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania and his squash loss to Brock Lesnar last month at Wrestlepalooza.

Perhaps that is why there has been at least some discussion among fans about Cena wrestling beyond 2025 in order to go out "the right way."

Things have gotten back on track for Cena recently, though, as he and AJ Styles faced off in a spectacular match at Crown Jewel this month, which saw Cena and Styles pay homage to their WWE and TNA roots.

It isn't yet known what is in store for Cena for the rest of the year, but Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t WrestleTalk) reported that he may face and beat Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship at Survivor Series before defending against Gunther in his final match at Saturday Night's Main Event.

Cena has never faced Dirty Dom or Gunther in a televised singles match, and there is a lot to like about the idea of him elevating newer talent on his way out of the business.

Retirements aren't always permanent in the sports world, and that is especially true in pro wrestling.

Since a wrestler can technically still perform into their 50s or even 60s in some cases, it is always possible that they could lace up the boots one more time and give their fans another match or moment.

"Stone Cold" Steve Austin retired after WrestleMania 19 before returning 19 years later to face Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38, while Shawn Michaels came out of retirement at Crown Jewel 2018, more than eight years after his retirement match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26.

Nobody would blame or begrudge Cena for doing the same thing, but everything he said points to him being 100 percent committed to never wrestling again after December.