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During his appearance today on Cody Rhodes' podcast, John Cena went into the meaning of the end of his final match and what he was conveying to the audience.
Cena described his final in-ring moment as a deeply intentional and symbolic experience, designed to represent closure rather than defeat.
Cena explained that the moment mirrored how people often hold on at the end of life just long enough to say goodbye to everyone who mattered. Earlier that day, he had reconnected backstage with all the people important to him, giving him a sense of completion.
When the match reached the end and he was locked in GUNTHER's sleeper Cena said he felt physically strong but emotionally at peace, recognizing that the moment to let go had arrived. So, instead of resistance or struggle, he embraced the ending with calm acceptance, comparing it to the idea of someone passing away peacefully.
Cena said the smile on his face was intentional, symbolizing gratitude, reassurance, and confidence that everything in WWE was in a good place and that the future would be positive moving forward. He told Rhodes during the podcast it would be on him and others to be able to make sure the next generation continue that.
Cena said he saw the moment as one final story told in the ring, using symbolism to convey peace, closure, and transition.
Cena's complete quote:
"For the last five minutes, everything I preach about story and drama and having a conversation with the audience. The ones I love are in the front row. I know my colleagues are watching on the monitor back there. We're just in a Sleeperhold, man, but we're having that conversation with the audience. As I essentially take my last breath, I have struggled. If you think of somebody, the natural causes scenario or however we picture loss in our life, all of us have been through it. They struggle. They hang on just long enough to make sure to say goodbye to everybody that's been meaningful in their lives, and that whole day was so many unbelievably vulnerable, meaningful conversations. Then you realize, I've connected with everybody I love. Physically, I feel great. I think it's time to take that last breath, and that's that. I hate to keep going back morbidly to obituaries, but like, 'This person died peacefully.' Knowing that like, 'Man, we are in a good place. We're going to be great going forward.' The bottom of the t-shirt says 'I gave everything, thank you for everything. And in that one moment, that was that. Going peacefully.' "
Cena also reiterated during the podcast he would not be stepping back into the ring.
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