Courtesy of WWE
THANK YOU JOHN CENA
Stories & Gratitude from Fans, Wrestlers, Peers & More
As we stand just moments away from John Cena’s retirement from in-ring competition, I can’t help but reflect on my time not only working for WWE but also alongside one of the greatest to ever step into the squared circle. John Cena’s legacy will live on for all eternity not just because of his championships, but because of who he is behind the curtain.
Before I truly got involved in the wrestling world, I’ll admit, I didn’t fully understand why John Cena was in the position he was. I thought maybe he didn’t fit the mold of what I believed a professional wrestler should be. He wasn’t the most technical. He didn’t fly off the top rope. But that all changed once I met the man himself.
When I began to understand who John Cena is, everything shifted.
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The heart that John Cena embodies.
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The passion that John Cena radiates.
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The dedication that defines him, it became clear that John Cena IS professional wrestling.
While there have always been rumors and whispers about politics in the business, I can say with full confidence that John Cena was one of the most giving and unselfish people I’ve ever worked with. To both Alberto Del Rio and myself, he was nothing but respectful and collaborative. He affectionately called Alberto “Presidente” and gave me the nickname “Mini Presidente.”
John always valued our ideas. Whether or not the final product looked exactly like we pitched it, he made sure our creative fingerprints were part of the match. One of my favorite memories was helping put together the Christmas Street Fight between Alberto Del Rio and John Cena after we “ran over Santa Claus.” Dean Malenko and I layed out that match, and there’s a moment where Cena smashes a giant Christmas gift over my head. While he searched for another box (the one hiding a bowling ball inside), you can actually see me tapping my foot on the right box, signaling him where to look. Haha — what a night that was.
John Cena’s ability to control an audience is unmatched, truly something that should be studied. His timing, charisma, and connection with the crowd are pure magic.
I’m forever grateful for the moments we shared, for what I learned by watching him lead, and for the friendship we built along the way.
His time in the ring may be nearing its end, but his impact, his legacy, will echo forever.
Viva John Cena.
Courtesy of WWE
Who is John Cena? John Cena is the embodiment of integrity, passion, hustle, loyalty, respect, and above all, ruthless aggression. He’s a man who didn’t just succeed in professional wrestling, he transformed it. You don’t need to know John Cena personally to feel his impact. His influence reaches far beyond the ring, touching the hearts of fans across the world, including my own.
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Wrestling has been the forefront of my life since I was four years old. That would be nearly three decades of dreams, drive, fandom and dedication. I used to make it my mission to meet the wrestlers I looked up to, hoping to catch even a glimpse of the people who helped shape my passion. I still remember 2005 vividly. I was standing outside Gold’s Gym in Belleville, New Jersey, waiting for hours because WWE was in town for a show. That night, my patience paid off. I met the man who had inspired millions, including a nervous 12 year old girl who finally came face to face with her hero, John Cena.
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As a young girl chasing the dream of becoming a professional wrestler, Cena became my blueprint for perseverance. He showed me that passion and persistence could break any barrier. His words, “Never Give Up” were more than a catchphrase; they became a way of life.
So, to John Cena, thank you for everything. You’ve given this business more than anyone could ever ask for. Even now, as you prepare to say goodbye, you’re putting on some of the best matches of your career and leaving every ounce of yourself in that ring. You’ve shown that passion doesn’t fade with time; it only grows stronger when it comes straight from the heart.
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Watching you close this chapter has been bittersweet. It’s hard to say goodbye to someone who’s been the heartbeat of an entire era—the hero who taught us to get back up, no matter how many times we fall. And I’ll be honest, when you “broke up with us” for a little while, I was genuinely heartbroken. But like any true fan, I forgave you the second that music hit again.
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You didn’t just tell us to “Never Give Up”, you lived it. And because of that, your legacy will live on in every fan, every dreamer, and every wrestler who dares to follow their passion.
Thank you, John Cena, for inspiring us all—and for reminding me why I fell in love with wrestling in the first place.
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Without John Cena’s influence, I truly don’t know where I’d be today.
With love,
Victoria ( Vicious Vicki ) Andreola
John Cena was never one of my all time favorite pro wrestlers. However, the former Dr. of Thuganomics was the protagonist in the story of my pro wrestling fandom. Needless to say I became a fan late in the game, during college in fact, as my late best friend, and good brother Michael Vacchiano finally was able to convert me into a pro wrestling fan after nearly 15 years of failed attempts. I fell in love with Rey Mysterio, Edge, and others during the Ruthless Aggression era, while also playing the WWE Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth video game, where Mike and I had to create both Rey Mysterio and John Cena. Thursday nights after the lecture halls, we would hit the dining hall to grab our subs, sodas, and snack cakes, to watch Thursday Night Smackdown every single week. I had my italian sub with no veggies, and Vacc kept it simple with an all cheese sub he would melt in the microwave. We were college students, but in those moments we were kids in front of the TV again.
As Vacc would often say, “Cena has never been one of my favorites, but I respect the hell out of him.” I learned what Mike meant over the years as Cena withstood the critics, and the sometimes brutal fans. I even remember signs like “Cuck Fena” and “If Cena Wins We Riot!” Even when Cena walked into ECW One Night Stand and threw his shirt into the crowd, they threw it right back. But Cena withstood all of it.
I particularly remember going to a Trenton house show with Vacc where Cena fought Edge as the main event. Both men fought like it was a PPV. Cena even took a bump over the guard rail and laid right at our feet. It was surreal. I also remember going to the Royal Rumble at MSG where John Cena returned ahead of schedule and won the whole thing.
His accolades in the ring are countless, but the real credit goes to his outstanding work with the Make a Wish Foundation where he has completed more wishes than anyone. That includes overseas charity work and even efforts during covid. I remember a picture on social media featuring Cena with a mask on, with a young Make a Wish child during the pandemic. What an image that was, during a strange time in the world. Cena again inspired outside of the ring, during a time where we needed to take care of one another.
Oddly enough, Cena has become one of my favorites in the past year or so. Maybe it’s nostalgia being a heck of a drug, or maybe, just maybe, he’s doing some of the best work of his career. I, unlike others, thought the heel turn was BRILLIANT. Not just because of the initial execution and shock, but the nuance throughout. Same song and same look. It was genius!! The man had every right to turn on the fans in what he described as a dysfunctional relationship. He even did his best to fill incomplete plot holes (to no fault of his own) with quippy one liners during promos. In fact, the man turned back babyface during an 8 minute promo the night before SummerSlam. It was brilliant. Only a performer that has the crowd in the palm of his hands could execute such a believable feat.
John Cena is TRULY leaving it ALL in the ring. His matches with Cody Rhodes and AJ Styles, just to name a few, have been on another level. His brilliance transcends his in-ring as well, as he continues to take us on a ride, paying homage to some of his greatest foes and recently even visiting the Performance Center. With four dates left, it certainly feels bittersweet. As many have already said, THANK YOU CENA. We see you. And we salute you.
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- Robert Crowther - Editor In Chief - BCP+
John Cena came to prominence in the middle of my pro wrestling fandom. Having witnessed the rise of Hulkamania, the Monday Night Wars, Reality Era, and whatever else, I have come to a conclusion as to the importance of John Cena: He may very well be the last of his kind.
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The Prototype was a guy in the background a documentary. The guy in nondescript trunks had just enough ruthless aggression (and freestyle rap skill) to not get fired. The Doctor of Thuganomics had the confidence to switch from profane poetry to smiling superhero and silver screen hopeful. Big Match John trained his body until there wasn’t a giant alive that he couldn’t carry in the ring (even with Edge on top of them.)
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Independent wrestler. Edgy tweener. “Bland but marketable” flagbearer. Household name.
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John Cena dedicated his life to what pro wrestling is, was, and ever will be. He decided that the ring and movie set were his home. His career, his charity work, and the crowd were his family. And he was there, with them, with us, 100% of his time. Hustle. Loyalty. Respect. That’s what he gave.
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Maybe there will be others, someday. Someone whose look and charisma and work ethic will make them someone that is instantly recognizable to my parents and my kids and millions of people who never watched wrestling. But maybe he’s the last and has been the last one all along. And now, he’s the last one for the last time.
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- Matthew Widdis, Senior Editor - BCP+
25 years ago, my dad was channel surfing and came across a documentary called Inside Pro Wrestling School -- which focused on the talent wrestling for and training at the famed SoCal promotion, Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW). One of the students they focused on was named "The Prototype" and when he came on my screen, my dad and I looked at each other and said "that dude's gonna be a star."
And for once, we were both right. The Prototype would sign with WWE and eventually make his main roster debut as John Cena. It's still wild that the guy with the weird bleach blonde flat top doing a Terminator-esque gimmick would become more than just a star -- he became one of the all-timers in the world of wrestling.
Some may scoff at calling him an all-timer. Sure, he's not the best in-ring performer from a technical and artistic perspective, but very few have been able to have crowds so passionately love, hate, and love/hate him at the same time. The effort is there, as he's proven in his later years, he's not willing to put his shoulders to the mat to get someone over. And finally, look at how he, unlike so many other huge stars of wrestling past and present, has transcended the sport and become a staple in mainstream pop culture.
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- Bill Bodkin - Editor In Chief - The Pop Break
I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the impact John Cena has had on my life – both as a fan and someone chasing a dream!
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I first discovered professional wrestling in 2011 during WrestleMania 27. John Cena was in the main event against The Miz, and from that moment on, I was hooked. Cena’s presence, energy and passion for the sport lit a fire that has never gone out.
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Wrestling quickly became everything to me. I dressed up as Cena for Halloween in fourth grade, and I’m pretty sure I drove my friends and family crazy talking about wrestling non-stop. My Mom still jokes that she has John Cena to thank for a few headaches – but I know she’s grateful too, because Cena helped shape who I am today.
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John Cena’s motto – Hustle, Loyalty, Respect – and his powerful message to Never Give Up have been guiding lights in my life. They’ve given me the courage to believe in myself and pursue my dream of becoming a professional wrestler. He has shown me that with heart and hard work, anything is possible.
Thank you, John Cena, for everything he has done for professional wrestling and for fans like me. He is more than a superstar – John Cena is a role model, a motivator, and my childhood hero.
With respect & admiration, Brandon Downey
When it comes to a perfect example of passion and determination, few shine brighter than John Cena. I remember watching his TV debut back in high school when I was totally lost and had no idea what to do with my life. Seeing him build this incredible career while I was figuring out my own path made his “Never Give Up” mantra feel personal, especially since I started my own wrestling journey the same year he won his very first WWE World Championship. John is proof that you always get back up and keep fighting, no matter what life throws at you.
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After grinding for 20 years on the independent scene, I never imagined I’d get an opportunity to work alongside John Cena, but I did just that at ComicPalooza in 2024. He was as kind and cool as you’d hope, treating me like an old friend he’d known for years. Plus, the ultimate flex: he follows me on Twitter, something I totally don’t brag about. Ever. In all seriousness, his professionalism and work ethic are what truly inspire me. John Cena’s career is a masterclass proving that authenticity and kindness, paired with hard work and patience, will always pay off. Thank you, John Cena, for being an inspiration to me and so many others.
-Chris O'Mealy
History has a unique way of changing how we experience things. For instance, if you ask the average wrestling fan about John Cena, I will guess that most will tell you about the cheer/boo ratio, how his Make-a-Wish activity is nothing short of legendary and of course that the 17 championship reigns make him the greatest of all time. You may even get a line or two about how he was supposed to have been a heel a long time before he turned. But that doesn’t really tell the whole story. For a generation of people, John is their fandom. He was their one constant. No matter what, John was there for them when they needed him. Whether you cheered or booed, he was there. Whether or not you believed in hustle, loyalty and respect John was there. When you needed a fighting champion, he was there. Pretty soon, he won’t be the constant. For those fans, it will be hard to process. Those fans loved shouting “You can’t see me”. Pretty soon, as it pertains to pro wrestling, that phrase will ring true. Thank you, John Cena. Thank you for being constant.
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- Kelvin Kately, Senior Editor - BCP+
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Dear John Cena,
Though we have never personally met, you have been a part of so many memories in my life. The many nights my dad and I argued over whether or not you were the best. The amount of times he called you a blockhead, but still took me to see The Marine anyway. The way my dad bought all of your WWE DVDs because I begged him to. As I grew into my wrestling fandom as a pre-teen, I always felt a kinship with you because you dressed like the rappers that seemed larger than life in music videos. Your diss tracks made me laugh and at one point, I wanted to marry you too. The greatest memory I cherish the most is when you made your WrestleMania 27 entrance with an Atlanta, Georgia choir and before that, there was a montage of your best moments with the late DMX’s “Prayer III” playing. I was seventeen and it was the first WrestleMania I ever attended with my father and sister. Though you did not win and you and The Rock did not fight until the next year, I was still so happy to have experienced you in your inspirational glory.
Then years later, I would become a wrestling journalist and get the chance to represent my brand at Money in the Bank in Toronto where you announced your retirement. My heart sank because I wanted to believe that I had more time to enjoy your presence as an adult. I thought that you would blaze through and fight alongside the younger stars. I can also never forget being in that press room as everyone, including myself, wanted to ask you any question about the retirement tour or yourself. But as I have had time to sit with the news and watch your last run, I cannot help but feel grateful for a few things. The first thing that I am grateful for is being alive to witness your rise after betting on yourself and having so much fun along the way. I am also grateful that you fought tooth and nail to give us the best matches. And the final thing that I am grateful for is that you got to decide that you were ready to stop. There have been far too many stories of wrestling athletes who stopped due to extreme circumstances, their health failing or feeling trapped in their identities that everything else gets muddled. You’ve worked so hard to give yourself the life you wanted, and now you get to smell the flowers. I’ll miss you so much in the ring, but I’m so happy that now you can rest and thrive in the next chapter.
Thank you.
Stephanie Hardy
Host and Creator, The Hardy Wrestling Podcast
It’s crazy to think how my relationship with John Cena has come full circle. It was all “John Cena Sucks!” chants every time he hit the ring. But over time, that love-hate relationship turned into pure respect. Now, there’s no denying it John Cena is the GOAT of professional wrestling. Since he announced his retirement tour, I made the mission to see him every chance I could: at the Royal Rumble in Indianapolis, Saturday Night’s Main Event in Tampa, SummerSlam in New Jersey, and now I’ll be there for his final match on December 13th. Thank you, John, for all the memories, the hustle, the loyalty, and the respect.
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- Erick Padilla - SDN Podcast
"I just want to be useful."
John Cena said this in a video I came across. Man did it hit!
Grew up in a household where I was made to feel like I was a burden. That I wasn't going to amount to much. That I was mentally incapable of being anything useful to anyone.
Hearing John Cena say this, and seeing what he became over the years made me realize that being useful can open doors to opportunity.
Thank you so much for this, and enjoy your retirement, sir.
Millie Camacho- From The Left Side
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John Cena’s career in the wrestling ring will always have a special place in my heart. The first time I ever saw him was in the main event of my first ever live wrestling show, where I also purchased my first ever wrestling merch, an orange Cena shirt (I still have it, by the way). Across the next decade and a half, I then became a loyal member of the “let’s go Cena” chants, even I watched him turn heel in person at the Rogers Centre.
Honestly, I could never hate John Cena, which makes it all the more difficult to say goodbye to him as in-ring performer (I already know I’m going to cry). I’ll always remember his matches with Randy Orton, Edge, AJ Styles, and yes, even that time he joined The Nexus. Overall, though, my biggest takeaway from Cena is to, much like his catchphrase, never give up.
Thank you, John.
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Ella Jay - WrestleZone, A Wrestling Gal Podcast
The sun was setting just beyond some nondescript, over-bearing buildings. I could see the yellows and oranges reflecting off their glass paneling, forcing me to instinctually avert my eyes. It wasn’t hard to do, since my attention was quickly drawn to fan after fan yelling “woo” as I passed them wearing my “Evolution” T-shirt. It was March 14, 2004 and I was heading to the back of the line in front of Madison Square Garden. It was finally here. I was finally here. Wrestlemania! And not just any Wrestlemania…Wrestlemania XX, “where it all begins again”!
Although he was not a wrestling fan, my father agreed to take me. He surprised me when I was about 6 or 7 by taking me to my first WWE (Then WWF) house should at Nassau Coliseum. All this time later he knew I badly wanted to see Wrestlemania at the Garden, and he made it happen. My father may not have cared much for wrestling, but he enjoyed the opportunity to flex his photography muscle. I was just as happy to have him provide visual mementos to remember the evening.
There were literally people from all over the world, as my ears were overcome with so many different accents and languages, as I waited with the massive crowd to find my seat. It would soon be worth the wait, as I instantly recognized the song of the first person out of the curtain. Based on the reaction of the rest of the fans there, I was not alone. It was “The Dr. of Thuganomics” himself, a young John Cena making his Wrestlemania debut. It may not have been the loudest reaction I ever heard, but it is the one I will never forget. John was the wrestler that I was most excited to see, and I will forever remain grateful to have been there in person to witness his first (US) title win. I knew that his future was bright, but there was no way to know just how bright it would be. On a night filled with Eddie Guerrero in an instant classic with Kurt Angle, a highly memorable (for the wrong reasons) Goldberg versus Brock Lesnar match, and the return of the Undertaker, it is that opening bout between John Cena and the Big Show that I remember most fondly.
Twenty years later I was fortunate enough to be in Philly for Wrestlemania XL. John didn’t wrestle, but he had a brief run in during the Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns main event match. Arguably the most exciting main event in the storied history of Wrestlemania. I couldn’t help but feel like it was a full circle moment. No sun reflecting off of buildings that night, only freezing temperatures, wind, and 60,203 red hot fans.
It’s hard to believe that John’s storied career is coming to a close. I can’t help but feel like it was only yesterday that he was being billed as the future of the company. As a life-long wrestling fan, it is difficult to think about him in the past tense, and not for all that lies ahead. For over two decades he has given every bit of himself, both in the ring and out. John went from being close to being released, to one of the biggest names inside the squared circle, and in Hollywood. He went from “ruthless aggression” to locker room leader.
No matter what I have accomplished in my professional career, every time I see him or hear his name, I’m transported back to being a 17 year old high school senior, enjoying an electric night at the world’s most famous arena. The man proved that “hustle, loyalty and respect” was much more than just a catchphrase on a t-shirt; those were words that John lived by.
Thank you John for my memories and for inspiring the next generation of superstars. Thank you for being the standard of consistency and dedication. Most of all, thank you for always reminding me what it was like to be 17, in New York City, with my dad.
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- Maz Adams
