Now retired, the WWE icon won't be wrestling anymore, but he still will have a hand in the massive event as the host for the two-day spectacle in Las Vegas. It's not exactly a match, but it's still an appearance on WWE's grand stage. How could Cena be feeling?
He's feeling just fine.
"So much less stress," Cena told USA TODAY Sports.
It could be a bit awkward being in this position for him, especially since he'll be in the same building as where he was last year when he captured his record-breaking 17th WWE Championship, but he's relieved to not be preparing for a match. He has a job, but it's going to be a blast.
"The emotions are fun and not FOMO (fear of missing out), not envy. I've had plenty of WrestleManias where I've had a heavy backpack," Cena said. "I get to come in, I get to be a fan, I get to enjoy. This is fun."
What he's also excited for is to see the up-and-coming stars making their WrestleMania debuts. Cena specifically mentioned Trick Williams, Je'Von Evans and Oba Femi, and he wants them to "make sure that their game is tight."
John Cena enters the ring during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Q&A
Why is John Cena not wrestling at WrestleMania 2026?
John Cena is not wrestling at WrestleMania 2026 because he has retired from in-ring competition.
What role will John Cena play at WrestleMania 42?
John Cena will serve as the host for WrestleMania 42, which is a two-day event in Las Vegas.
How does John Cena feel about not wrestling at WrestleMania?
John Cena feels fine about not wrestling at WrestleMania, indicating he is comfortable with his current role.
When is WrestleMania 42 taking place?
WrestleMania 42 is taking place in April 2026 in Las Vegas.
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John Cena salutes during his introduction at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena points to the crowd during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena hits the "You Can't See Me" pose during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena lifts Gunther during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena performs the "You Can't See Me" gesture during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena performs a flying leg drop during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena prepares for a super Attitude Adjustment during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena tries to break out of Gunther's Sleeper Hold during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Gunther puts John Cena in the Sleeper Hold during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Gunther celebrates after defeating John Cena during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena salutes during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena watches a tribute video during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena sits in the ring after losing at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena sits in the ring after losing at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk give John Cena their titles during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena celebrates with the Undisputed WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena embraces with WWE chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena bows during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena leaves his arm bands and shoes in the ring after losing his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena enters the ring during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
1 / 20
John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena enters the ring during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena salutes during his introduction at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
3 / 20
John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena points to the crowd during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena hits the "You Can't See Me" pose during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena lifts Gunther during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena performs the "You Can't See Me" gesture during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena performs a flying leg drop during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena prepares for a super Attitude Adjustment during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena tries to break out of Gunther's Sleeper Hold during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
Gunther puts John Cena in the Sleeper Hold during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
Gunther celebrates after defeating John Cena during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena salutes during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena watches a tribute video during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena sits in the ring after losing at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena sits in the ring after losing at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk give John Cena their titles during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena celebrates with the Undisputed WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena embraces with WWE chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena bows during Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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John Cena's final match: 20 best photos of the end of his WWE career
John Cena leaves his arm bands and shoes in the ring after losing his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
There was a lot of excitement when Cena announced he was going to be the host of WrestleMania, allowing fans to bask in "The Time Is Now" and possibly see him make his way down to the ring again. It's unknown what exactly his role will be during the two-days, as previous hosts have done a wide range of things from kicking off the night, introducing stars and taking part in segments.
They also have wrestled before − something WWE fans wouldn't mind seeing one last time.
Cena constantly said during his retirement tour when his final match was complete, he wouldn't ever wrestle again, insisting he would only ever be in the ring as an ambassador. Now five months removed from his final match, does Cena have an itch to maybe just do it one more time.
No way. Cena is loving his new role, and is excited to take it in like the rest of the WWE fanbase.
"Not one bit, man. I’m in a good spot right now," Cena said. "I’m going to enjoy hosting, and enjoy being a fan."
