With just one date remaining in his legendary career, John Cena sat down with Bill Simmons to explain exactly why he is walking away now. Despite praise for his recent in-ring work, the 17-time World Champion was candid about the physical toll the industry has taken on him.
‘My Body Hurts, I’m A Step Slower’
Cena pushed back against the narrative that he is leaving solely on his own terms, admitting that if it were up to him, he would never stop. However, he is sticking to a promise he made to himself years ago.
“Man, you are going out on your own terms. That’s bulls**t. I want to do it forever,” Cena said. “But my body hurts, I’m a step slower. I promised myself and the fanbase when I started… when I am step slower, I’m out.”
Refusing To Rely On Luck
When Simmons suggested that Cena is currently having some of the best matches of his career, Cena countered that it requires everything he has left to reach that bar. He wants to leave before his performance level drops below an acceptable standard.
“Yeah, but it’s all I have left. That’s what people don’t understand,” Cena explained. “I want to go out at a level that is still passable and, in some twinkles, admirable. And, not have to rely on luck… I have given my heart and soul to this year. It has taken a lot to just do 35 date,s whereas before I’d do 220 in my sleep. Like, it is time to move on.”
The Final Match
Cena’s farewell is set for December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event. His opponent remains undecided, but it will be determined this Friday on SmackDown when Gunther faces LA Knight in the finals of the “Last Time Is Now” tournament.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit The Bill Simmons Podcast with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can listen to the full interview on The Ringer podcast network.
