There’s only one date left on John Cena’s WWE farewell tour. His final match takes place on Saturday Night’s Main Event next week (Dec. 13) on Peacock, where he’ll be wrestling against either LA Knight
or GUNTHER.
During an interview last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cena reiterated this will be his final in-ring performance ever, and there will be no return down the line for one more match. Here’s the exchange Cena and Kimmel had on the topic, where the host was a bit skeptical about Cena’s claim.
Cena: “23 years of performing in WWE, and we’re down to our last date…it has been a crazy year where I announced this like 15 months in advance that I’m gonna retire. This has really never been done in WWE history. WWE Superstars don’t necessarily retire, they always kind of hang on for one more match. I am absolutely, one hundred percent done. The 13th of December on Peacock is my last in-ring performance.“
Kimmel: “You will never wrestle again?“
Cena: “I will never wrestle again.“
Kimmel: “What if you do wrestle again?“
Cena: “Then you’ll be able to show this clip on your show, and call me a liar.“
Cena said he understands why people are skeptical about this being his last match ever, given how bad pro wrestlers are about actually staying retired, but the reason he announced his farewell tour so far in advance is to give fans plenty of time to come to grips with this really being end of his pro wrestling career. Meanwhile, Kimmel was baffled as to how Cena’s final opponent isn’t locked in yet.
Kimmel later asked if all of the legends in the industry will be there at SNME to send John off into retirement. Cena was more interested in talking about the NXT minor leaguers who will be there to receive their share of the spotlight.
Cena: “I actually suggested that instead of a tribute and spending the whole show based around [the past], I wanted to have my final match, which I’ll get my chunk of time, and then dedicate the rest of the show to the future. So if you tune into Saturday Night’s Main Event on Peacock on the 13th, you’ll see my final in-ring performance, but you’ll also get a look at the major WWE superstars facing future stars. Because the way I came into the business was a major star, gold medalist, was like, ‘Open challenge to anyone!’ And me, no name, came walking out there, and that was the start of this crazy ride. So 23 years later, I kind of want to return the favor. And You’re gonna see some, technically, minor leaguers step up to the plate and see if they can make an impact.“
Kimmel: “Minor leaguers? Oh, so the stars of tomorrow will be coming in?“
Cena: “Yes. Indeed. So I think that’s kind of cool, on the way out, to give most of the programming to the future of the business. I’m really excited about that.“
Do you believe Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13 really will be the final pro wrestling match of Cena’s career? Is he correct when he claims this has never been done before in WWE history? Which NXT minor leaguers do you expect will step up and make a big impact on that night?
Let me know your answers in the comments below, Cagesiders.
