American actor and wrestler John Cena has announced his retirement from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Cena announced the surprising news to fans at the WWE Money in the Bank event in Canada.
The 47-year-old actor, who entered showbiz 18 years ago, said his final in-ring match will take place in 2025 as part of a farewell tour.
Cena is generally considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, having held the World Championship 16 times since joining the WWE in 2001.
“Tonight I officially announce my retirement from WWE,” he told fans in Toronto, who reacted with surprise and later chanted “Thank you Cena.”
“What an incredible act of kindness,” he replied.
Wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with “The Last Time is Now” and his trademark “jorts” [denim shorts]He thanked WWE fans for “letting me play in the house you have built for so many years.”
In a subsequent press conference, he stated that despite feeling like he was “finished” physically, he still planned to remain in the WWE family in some capacity.
Cena made his acting debut in 2006 in The Marines and went on to have roles in a number of big-budget films including Suicide Squad, Furious 9 and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The star has been performing part-time in WWE since 2018 when his acting career took off.
He made headlines this year In Oscars skit, nudity appears except for carefully placed envelopes.
The American is also the most popular celebrity of all time for the children’s Make-A-Wish charity.
He holds the Guinness World Record for the number of wishes granted to seriously ill children.
