John Cena is six months removed from his in-ring retirement, and the WWE legend says he misses the one thing no other job can replicate.
Appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Cena reflected on life after wrestling and what he gave up when he stepped away. “What I miss is the audience, the energy,” Cena said. “I had to walk away because I can’t get body-slammed anymore. It was time.”
Cena wrestled the final match of his career on December 13, 2025, headlining Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. In a fitting twist for a man whose motto was “Never Give Up,” he tapped out to Gunther to bring the curtain down on his time as an active competitor.
The retirement capped a year-long farewell tour that began in January 2025 and featured a host of milestones, including a stunning heel turn at Elimination Chamber and a record-setting 17th world championship at WrestleMania 41.
Cena is not gone from WWE entirely. Ahead of his final match, he signed a five-year extension to remain with the company as a brand ambassador, ensuring he will stay connected to the business.
If you use any of the quotes from this article, please credit The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
