The Final Bow: A Complete List Of John Cena's WWE Retirement Tour Dates And His Shocking Last Match Result

The greatest chapter in professional wrestling history has closed. As of today, December 14, 2025, John Cena, the 17-time World Champion, has officially hung up his jorts, concluding an unparalleled 24-year in-ring career. The announcement of his retirement in early 2025 kicked off what became known as the "Farewell Tour," a year-long celebration that gave fans across the globe one last chance to see their hero. This comprehensive guide details every major stop on that emotional journey, including the shocking result of his final, career-ending match.

The quest for "John Cena retirement tour dates" has been the most searched wrestling query for the better part of 2025, and for good reason. From his final appearances at WWE's biggest premium live events to his emotional farewells on *Monday Night Raw* and *Friday Night SmackDown*, the tour was a full-circle moment for "The Face That Runs the Place." The curtain finally fell at a special edition of *Saturday Night’s Main Event*, delivering a powerful, albeit bittersweet, ending to a legendary run.

John Cena: Career Snapshot and Retirement Biography

John Felix Anthony Cena, Jr. is more than just a wrestler; he is a global icon, a box-office star, and the most decorated World Champion in WWE history. His career is defined by his "Never Give Up" mantra and his incredible consistency at the top of the industry. The announcement of his retirement in 2025 was a heartfelt decision, citing a desire to end his in-ring career on his own terms and transition fully into his burgeoning Hollywood career.

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• Full Name: John Felix Anthony Cena, Jr.
• Born: April 23, 1977 (Age 48 as of retirement)
• Hometown: West Newbury, Massachusetts
• WWE Debut: June 27, 2002 (Answered Kurt Angle's open challenge)
• Signature Moves: Attitude Adjustment (AA), STF (STFU), Five Knuckle Shuffle
• Total WWE World Championships: 17 (A record, including 13 WWE Championships and 4 World Heavyweight Championships)
• Other Major Accomplishments: 2-time Royal Rumble Winner, 1-time Money in the Bank Winner, 5-time United States Champion, 4-time Tag Team Champion, Make-A-Wish record holder.
• Retirement Announcement: Early 2025, with a final match date set for December 13, 2025.
• Final Match Opponent: Gunther

The 2025 Farewell Tour: A Chronology of John Cena's Final Dates

The "Farewell Tour" was not a traditional, continuous road trip but a series of high-profile appearances and matches spread throughout 2025, ensuring John Cena could say goodbye to the WWE Universe on the biggest stages. This schedule showcased his commitment to the business and gave fans a chance to witness his final moments in various capacities. The tour officially began in January and concluded in December.

Key Premium Live Event Stops

Cena made a point of competing at the biggest shows, ensuring his final run was etched into the history books of WWE’s marquee events. These appearances were critical for fans hoping to catch his last major televised matches.

• January 2025: Royal Rumble
  • Event: The Royal Rumble Match
  • Significance: Cena’s final Royal Rumble appearance, a match he has won twice before. It was a symbolic start to his year-long goodbye, marking his last shot at a major championship opportunity.
• March 2025: Elimination Chamber
  • Event: Elimination Chamber Match
  • Significance: A brutal, high-stakes contest that showed Cena was still willing to put his body on the line, emphasizing the "Never Give Up" spirit one last time in the unforgiving structure.
• April 2025: WrestleMania 41
  • Event: Singles Match (Opponent TBD)
  • Significance: This was billed as Cena's final *WrestleMania* match, often considered the grandest stage of them all. Many speculated this would be his retirement match, but it was later confirmed to be a major stop on the tour, not the end.

The International Leg: WWE Europe Tour

A crucial part of the Farewell Tour was the international leg, allowing the European WWE Universe to bid a proper farewell. Cena joined the WWE Europe tour in March, appearing on *Raw* during the run of shows, which included major stops in:

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• London, England
• Paris, France
• Berlin, Germany
• Milan, Italy

Confirmed Final Dates Leading to Retirement

As the year progressed, the schedule tightened, with fewer dates and more emotional appearances. The final stretch of the tour focused on the biggest cities and arenas, ensuring a monumental conclusion.

• September 20, 2025: *Wrestlepalooza* (Indianapolis, Indiana)
• October 31, 2025: *Friday Night SmackDown* (Boston, Massachusetts) - A farewell to his home state.
• November 2025: Two final appearances on *Monday Night Raw* (Dates and Cities TBD)
• December 6, 2025: *Friday Night SmackDown* (Final televised appearance before retirement match).

The Shocking Result of John Cena's Final Match

The speculation over John Cena's final match opponent was intense, with names like Roman Reigns, Randy Orton, and even The Rock being thrown around. However, WWE chose to elevate a current star, pitting Cena against "The Ring General," Gunther, at a special edition of *Saturday Night's Main Event* on December 13, 2025, held at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

The Final Confrontation: Cena vs. Gunther

The match was a classic clash of styles: Cena’s power and heart against Gunther’s brutal, hard-hitting offense. The atmosphere in the Capital One Arena was electric, with the WWE Universe fully behind their hero. The match was a grueling affair, with Gunther focusing his assault on Cena’s chest and neck, delivering his signature heavy chops and powerbombs.

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In a stunning and emotional conclusion that cemented Gunther as a legitimate main event threat, John Cena was forced to tap out. The finish came after a prolonged struggle in Gunther's devastating submission maneuver, the Ring General Lock. The loss was a brutal, definitive end, denying Cena the fairy-tale victory but providing a powerful moment of passing the torch to the next generation.

Following the referee's decision, the arena was silent before erupting in a massive standing ovation. Cena, visibly emotional and in pain, took the microphone for a final, unscripted address to the fans. He thanked the WWE Universe for their loyalty, reiterated his "Never Give Up" motto, and left his signature "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect" wristbands in the center of the ring, officially closing the door on his in-ring career.

The Legacy: What’s Next for the Former Champ?

While the "John Cena retirement tour dates" have concluded, his influence on WWE will continue for decades. His record 17 World Championships, his tireless work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and his status as the company’s biggest box-office draw of the modern era are untouchable.

Cena’s post-retirement focus will now be entirely on his Hollywood career, where he has already achieved significant success in major franchises like *Fast & Furious* and *Peacemaker*. He has stated that while he may no longer compete in the ring, he will always be a part of the WWE family, leaving the door open for non-wrestling roles, such as commentary, general manager, or ambassadorial duties. The final tour was a definitive farewell to the wrestler, but not the man. The Cenation will undoubtedly be watching his next chapter unfold.