John Cena Makes Emotional Farewell During Final WWE Raw at Madison Square Garden
John Cena closed a historic chapter in his wrestling career tonight as he appeared one last time on WWE Monday Night Raw, live from Madison Square Garden. The event was billed as his final Raw appearance, marking a milestone in a career that has spanned more than two decades.
A Career of Firsts and Farewells
Cena, now the WWE Intercontinental Champion, had recently defeated Dominik Mysterio to earn the title, becoming a Grand Slam Champion, a rare achievement in WWE.
This Raw marks his 545th match on the show, a record in WWE history.
He addressed the crowd, reflecting on his long tenure:
“Over 23 years you’ve allowed me to have 544 matches on #WWERaw … My favorite match … is my next one! Which will be our LAST ONE!”
Tournament to Decide His Final Opponent
Part of Cena’s farewell tour involves a tournament called the “Last Time Is Now”, designed to determine his final opponent in WWE.
In the first-round matches held during Raw:
Gunther, making a surprising return, faced Je’Von Evans.
Solo Sikoa was also in action, matched against a mystery opponent.
Women’s Intercontinental Title on the Line
Another major match on the card saw Becky Lynch, the reigning Women’s Intercontinental Champion, defending her title against Maxxine Dupri.
Legacy and Look Ahead
Cena’s farewell on Raw comes as part of a broader retirement plan. He has pledged not to wrestle beyond the end of 2025.
His final match is scheduled for December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C.
Throughout the night, the sentiment was clear: WWE and the fans are celebrating not just a performer, but a legend. Cena’s message was one of gratitude and finality, a heartfelt goodbye on one of wrestling’s grandest stages.