John Cena says cold, hard data ultimately convinced him it was time to retire from in-ring competition.
Speaking with The Takedown on SI, the 17-time world champion explained that he relied heavily on measurable athletic metrics rather than emotion when deciding to step away from wrestling full-time. John Cena revealed that he regularly monitored strength and conditioning tests similar to those used at the NFL Combine, including one-rep max lifts and vertical jump measurements.
“As much as I love feel and I love passion, I also love data,” Cena explained. “I’m a strength athlete, so I consistently test one-rep max, vertical jump, all of these metrics.”
According to Cena, the warning signs became impossible to ignore once those numbers began to decline despite maintaining strict discipline in training, diet, hydration, and recovery.
“When these numbers start to go down, you look at it like, ‘Okay, why?’” Cena said. “Then you look at the age graphic and you’re like, ‘Oh, man.’”
Cena admitted he first began seriously noticing the physical decline around age 45 and realised the pace of WWE had become increasingly difficult to keep up with.
“The game just looks too fast for me, because it is,” Cena admitted.
Rather than drastically changing his in-ring style simply to continue wrestling longer, Cena said he felt stepping away was the more respectful decision for both fans and WWE.
“I could change my style at the risk of ruining that energy WWE invested in me,” Cena explained. “That’s not respectful to the fans and it’s not respectful to the company.”
John Cena Still Wants To Remain Part Of WWE Despite In-Ring Retirement
While John Cena’s full-time wrestling career is winding down, he made clear he still intends to remain involved with WWE in a different capacity moving forward. The WWE legend said his current focus is on helping leave the wrestling business in a better position than when he entered it, while also expanding WWE’s reach through future partnerships and ambassador-style roles.
