John Cena has declared that he will never return to WWE after embarking on a retirement tour.
The 48-year-old made history in April by becoming the most decorated wrestler in history, after taking home his record-breaking 17th championship win.
Last year, he announced his decision to step away from competing for good following the end of his tour, with his last performances slated for December.
During an appearance on Good Morning America to promote his new Amazon Prime movie, Heads of State, he lifted the lid on his time in front of the camera.
‘I’ve been lifting and throwing folks for 25 years now,’ he told host Michael Strahan. ‘I wanted to do something that’s never been done – six months before the tour, I announced my retirement.
‘I said, for the year, I would perform in 36 states. We’re halfway through, and I think nobody thought I was serious.
‘Now that we’re halfway through and people really understand that my last match is in December and it’s time for me to move on, the audiences have been electric.’
When the presenter asked if there was a ‘slight chance’ he could stage another return in the future, John insisted: ‘There is no way.
‘There is absolutely… I don’t want to speak in absolutes, because I don’t want to close any opportunity, but I made a promise to the fans who have allowed me to be here for a quarter of a century. They allowed me to sit with you today.
‘I wouldn’t want to disrespect them like that. This is an event, when people attend, it’s very exclusive…
‘I wouldn’t want to ruin that just for selfish gain.’
‘Speaking to a retired athlete, I think you intrinsically know when your instinct says, I’m a step slower,’ he added.
‘It’s then just a battle of, “How long do I fight those red flags before it could be counterproductive?”
‘I still look good, I still feel good, I still feel like I can perform at a WWE level, but I also think it’s time for me to step aside and let the young talent step forward.’
The athlete-turned-actor stepped into the ring in the early 00s and has barely left the spotlight since, winning a string of championships in that time.
He later turned his attention to Hollywood and has appeared in a string of films, including Daddy’s Home, the Fast and Furious franchise, Suicide Squad, Ricky Stanicky and Barbie.
Although he is retiring, John previously shared that he will still remain a staple of WWE, and will be serving as an ambassador in future.
In a chat with Extra, he added: ‘This is my final year in the WWE. I’m retiring this year. We’re about halfway through, so I look forward to officially closing the book on in-ring competition.
‘I will forever be an ambassador of the WWE. I’ll be part of that family till they ask me to leave.’
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