John Cena has admitted that he misses performing in WWE every day, but remains convinced that retiring from the ring was the right decision.
John Cena ended his legendary in-ring career in December 2025, losing to GUNTHER in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Speaking to PEOPLE at the New York City premiere of Matchbox: The Movie, Cena discussed the nostalgia he regularly feels for different periods of his life.
“I have moments of nostalgic reflection on the daily. A lot of times, that’s when you’re overwhelmed by stress or confused or maybe you don’t know the answers that you’re trying to seek,” Cena said. “Nostalgia is in itself looking back to a simpler time in the unknown or during crisis. I got daily moments of that, man. Daily. I’ll look back on my early wrestling days, or I’ll look back on college days, or I’ll look back on my life in dormitory school, or even as a kid. That happens on the daily, man.”
John Cena Still Believes WWE Retirement Was Right Decision
While John Cena remains nostalgic about his wrestling career, the 17-time world champion explained that missing WWE emotionally hasn’t changed his belief that stepping away was the right choice.
“I miss all of it every day. I miss performing every single day. And that said, just because I miss it here,” Cena said while pointing to his heart, “doesn’t make it the right decision here,” while gesturing towards his head.
Cena competed in his final match on the December 13, 2025 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he submitted to GUNTHER. Although his days as an active wrestler are over, Cena has stayed connected with WWE since his retirement.
While promoting Matchbox: The Movie, Cena recently confirmed that the John Cena Classic will take place in December 2026. The tournament will let WWE fans vote for its eventual champion, though WWE has yet to officially announce further details.
