Cena cut a well-received promo on Raw's 6 January Netflix debut. At the start of his retirement year in wrestling, Cena ran through his career - from his early spell as OVW's prototype to the present day - then referenced breaking the record he currently shares with Ric Flair (in WWE canon) and winning a 17th World Championship.

Following the 2025 Royal Rumble, in which Cena was the runner-up, he announced his participation in the Men's Elimination Chamber match. Presumably, WWE will follow the same format as last year and have the winner earn a championship match at WrestleMania 41.

WWE Royal Rumble boasts the most loaded men’s and women’s Rumble in history. Here's why John Cena will be one of many big stars going home empty-handed.