John Cena reflects on WWE retirement and wrestling industry

Retired WWE champion John Cena has expressed that he misses performing in the ring every day, despite his decision to step away from professional wrestling. Following his final match against Gunther on December 13, 2025, Cena noted that while he experiences daily nostalgia for his career, he believes staying retired is the correct decision for his well-being.

Addressing the common criticism that “wrestling is fake,” Cena stated that such comments no longer bother him. He explained that the perception of wrestling has evolved from its carnival-style roots into a global entertainment industry. Cena noted that in previous eras, the intense schedules required by promoters like Vince McMahon often made it difficult for performers to separate their personal identities from their on-screen personas, citing legends like Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan as examples of those heavily shaped by their environments.