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.

In a shocking twist at the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble in Indianapolis, it was Jey Uso, not John Cena, who stood tall at the end of the night, earning his spot in the main event of WrestleMania 41. Considering the odds heavily favored Cena — especially after names like CM Punk,

John Cena has been absent from WWE due to filming 'Matchbox' in Hungary. However, he is set to return for the 2025 Royal Rumble with hopes of winning and competing at Wrestlemania 41. Predictions for the Royal Rumble include Charlotte Flair winning the Women's match and John Cena potentially taking the Men's title.