As John Cena embarks on his highly anticipated farewell tour in 2025, the WWE Universe reflects on the legacy of the 16-time world champion. Cena’s decision to dedicate an entire year to saying goodbye marks a departure from traditional wrestling retirements, and few are as qualified to weigh in as The Undertaker. On episode 49 of his Six Feet Under podcast, the Deadman shared his thoughts on Cena’s farewell and its broader implications for the wrestling industry.
“It’s a cool way for someone who meant so much to the business to go out. Fans get to give him his flowers, and he gets to say goodbye the right way.”
Cena’s farewell tour, which includes approximately 36 appearances across WWE events, is already drawing massive interest, with ticket sales spiking after his announcement that he’ll be participating in the 2025 Royal Rumble.
A Farewell Unlike Any Other
Undertaker praised Cena’s work ethic and impact on WWE, calling him a “workhorse” and acknowledging the thoughtfulness of his farewell. “Cena was a huge star for years. It’s really cool the way they’ve planned this out,” he said. Cena’s farewell contrasts sharply with retirements of the past, including those of Ric Flair and The Undertaker himself.
“For me, I couldn’t have done a farewell tour with my character. It wouldn’t have made sense for me to be hugging fans and saying goodbye. That wasn’t The Undertaker.”
His farewell came through a series of sporadic appearances, culminating in a cinematic match at WrestleMania 36 and a final goodbye at Survivor Series 2020.
The Future of Wrestling Retirements
Cena’s farewell might signal a shift in how wrestling retirements are approached, especially for top-tier stars. Undertaker believes this approach could become the new standard.
“I think this is the way of the future for wrestling retirements,” he said. “The less you see of my generation, the better—it’s time for new stars to shine.”
Cena’s tour exemplifies a blend of nostalgia and forward-thinking. By clearing his Hollywood schedule for the year, he’s giving fans one last chance to see him in action while helping WWE transition focus to its next generation of stars.
A Symbol of Gratitude
For WWE fans, Cena’s farewell tour is more than just a series of matches—it’s a chance to celebrate a career that defined an era. As The Undertaker pointed out, it’s a rare opportunity for a performer to leave on their own terms while giving back to the audience that made it all possible.
“It’s time for John to take his bow,” Undertaker concluded. “And he’s doing it in a way that honors the business and his fans.”
John Cena Shares More Details on his 2025 WWE Retirement Tour
Check out latest episode of The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast: