John Cena previously admitted he knows he doesn’t have much time left and continues to talk about it.
Last year, he put over stars such as Austin Theory and Solo Sikoa in his most recent WWE runs. At WrestleMania 40 on Sunday, he helped make the save for Cody Rhodes in his Undisputed WWE Universal Title Match with Roman Reigns, where he laid out Solo Sikoa with an AA.
While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show today, Cena noted that while he still has rubber left on the tires, he knows he’s close to in-ring retirement and plans to retire before he turns 50, meaning he’ll be done by 2027.
McAfee: “Wrestling fans are obviously going to ask….”
Cena: I’m also wearing the same T-shirt. So we’re good, man.”
Cena: “I’ll change my shirt. But you guys know that comes with a uniform change. So last night wasn’t my last night. So this doesn’t mean this is my last uniform.”
McAfee: “What’s that mean?
Cena: “We’re just throwing….That means that I’ve speculated a lot about when it is that I hang up the jorts. But it wasn’t last night, and I still got a little bit of rubber left on the tires. I don’t want to Bogart your question.”
McAfee: “That’s breaking news.”
Host: “But last night, reignite that fire, that passion. Why is it so tough to say like, Yeah, I’m gonna, I’m gonna put this down. I’m gonna put this away for a while, but I’m not going to.”
Cena: “So it’s not tough because of the foundation I laid and the promise I made to each and every person who pays attention and gives of themselves to WWE. When I feel I can no longer perform at the capacity of the product, it is time to step away. That’s not tough. The toughest thing is that I love it so much.”
Host: “And you can still do it at a high level.”
Cena: “Yeah, so when that when that time is gone, that means that it’s done. I’m actively trying to craft that path right now. So I’ve put a line in the sand of myself for 50 and I honestly think it’s going to be before that. There’s your breaking news. I’ll be 47 In a few weeks.”
McAfee: “So we got time then.”
Cena: “You got about 700. About 1000 days to decide, okay? Many are calling this the greatest WrestleMania ever, right? And, I agree, what a spectacle. What a fantastic WrestleMania, but that’s because of the talent that actually put the time in. I showed up for 90 seconds. This is the greatest WrestleMania, with or without my involvement, and that is because of the now. The superstars we have now and their contribution to the business. It is going to be time soon for me to go and I’m embracing that and enjoying it and allows me to be present now I can say this with the utmost certainty I will always always be part of the WWE family but the time to compete in the ring is coming to a close now. Yeah, I’m gonna try to do it in less.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Pat McAfee with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
Fans chanted "17" at John Cena. He says those title shots need to be earned and he needs a "slump buster." Pat McAfee joked, "We'll send you Miz." pic.twitter.com/cxv3jh7lGN
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) April 8, 2024
