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John Cena said his body is “screaming at” him to end his WWE career amid his farewell tour
Cena appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Aug. 13, where he spoke about his reasons for wanting to retire
The WWE star said he wants to give the next young wrestlers their chance in the spotlight
John Cena says his body is eagerly awaiting the end of his WWE career.
The 48-year-old athlete was a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Wednesday, Aug. 13, where he revealed that his body is ready for him to stop wrestling.
“My body is screaming at me to close the chapter,” Cena told Fallon.
“I know I look a little younger than I am, but I’m 48, man, I’ll be 49 next year,” Cena continued as he expressed his gratitude for the WWE. “I’m grateful, very grateful to say that the WWE has given me almost 25 years to go out and do my thing and be invisible and it’s been fantastic.”
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John Cena visits “Extra” at Burbank Studios on January 15, 2020.
Cena then shared why it’s important to him to retire from the WWE for a reason beyond his aching body.
“I also remember when I was a young kid back in 2002, thinking I’d never get a chance, and then when I did, I came up in a young, hungry class,” he explained, “and I think if I hang around any longer than now, I’m taking time away from those young guys who can be the next.”
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Cena added that life in the WWE “moves really fast,” comparing it to Fallon’s busy late-night schedule, and said he “very rarely” has had time to “look in the rearview mirror” of his career.
Once he’s completed his farewell tour, Cena said he’s planning to “reflect” on his success, but until then, he wants to keep his “feet on the ground” and stay present.
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John Cena captures the World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestlemania 25 on April 5, 2009.
Cena first announced his retirement plans during a surprise appearance at the WWE’s Money in the Bank event in July 2024. His final WWE performance will come this December.
The WWE star recently sat down with PEOPLE for a cover story, where he reflected on how “age plays a factor” in his career and what he’s thinking about his next chapter.
“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 to see if they can make it,” Cena told PEOPLE.
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And now that his WWE chapter is closing, Cena is looking forward to more time with his wife Shay Shariatzadeh, an engineer he met in Vancouver in 2019.
“My health and my dedication to my partner are the top of my spear in life right now, so I think every time I go out [in the ring], I just want to make sure I’m able to give my all, but it’s time to step away,” Cena said.
Read the original article on People
