WWE has officially announced that John Cena, one of the most iconic superstars in professional wrestling history, will step into the ring for the last time later this year. The 17-time world champion, who transitioned from wrestling stardom to a successful Hollywood career, will have his farewell match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13.
The announcement came as part of WWE’s new streaming deal with Peacock, which will now exclusively broadcast Saturday Night’s Main Event in the United States. The first of the two special shows is scheduled for November 1, while Cena’s retirement bout will headline the December edition. International audiences, including fans in the UK, will still be able to watch the events on YouTube.
Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE’s chief content officer, expressed excitement about the new partnership: “We’re excited to bring Saturday Night’s Main Event exclusively to Peacock beginning this fall. NBCU have been terrific longtime partners, and we look forward to continuing to work with them for years to come.”
Cena’s farewell comes amid major shifts in WWE’s broadcasting landscape. Starting September 20, WWE’s premium live events in the U.S. will move to ESPN with the launch of Wrestlepalooza. Although this deal was initially set to begin in 2026, it has been brought forward. Fans outside the U.S., however, will continue watching WWE content via Netflix.
Before his retirement night, Cena will remain active in the squared circle. He is scheduled to appear at Wrestlepalooza and will face Logan Paul at next week’s Clash in Paris.
At 48 years old, Cena admitted that age played a significant role in his decision to step away from wrestling. Speaking to PEOPLE magazine, he explained: “Age plays a factor. I’m not as strong or as fast as I used to be. I made a promise when I started gaining some notoriety that when I’m a step slower, I will go, because there will be kids just as hungry as I was who have earned a shot.”
Cena’s retirement will mark the end of an era for WWE, closing the chapter on one of its most beloved and influential superstars.