John Cena at WrestleMania 42: Why WWE legend will be at major event
TL;DR
John Cena will make his return at WrestleMania 42, marking his first appearance since his retirement tour in 2025. Despite previously stating he wouldn't compete again, his role at the event has generated significant interest.
Key points
- John Cena returns to WrestleMania 42
- First appearance since retirement tour
- 17-time WWE Champion
- Last match was in December 2025
- Details of his role at the event are unclear
Mentioned in this story
John Cena at WrestleMania 42: Why WWE legend will be at major event
LAS VEGAS â The Champ is back at WrestleMania.
John Cena is making his WWE return at WrestleMania 42, his first appearance in his post-retirement career. The record-setting 17-time WWE Champion just embarked on a farewell tour in 2025, which ended with him losing his final match in December.
No matter how many people desire to see him wrestle again, Cena vowed that once his retirement tour was over, he wouldn't compete in the ring ever again. So why is Cena at WrestleMania, and what will he be doing? Here is what to know about his role at WWE's major show:
Opinion: WrestleMania 42 should feel inevitable. Right now, it feels exhausting
John Cena enters the ring during Saturday Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena salutes during his introduction at Saturday Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena points to the crowd during Saturday Nightâs 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 Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena lifts Gunther during Saturday Nightâs 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 Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena performs a flying leg drop during Saturday Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena prepares for a super Attitude Adjustment during Saturday Nightâs 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 Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Gunther puts John Cena in the Sleeper Hold during Saturday Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Gunther celebrates after defeating John Cena during Saturday Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena salutes during Saturday Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena watches a tribute video during Saturday Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena sits in the ring after losing at Saturday Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena sits in the ring after losing at Saturday Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
John Cena bows during Saturday Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 points to the crowd during Saturday Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs 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 Nightâs Main Event at Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025 in Washington, DC.
Will John Cena be at WrestleMania 42?
Yes, Cena will be at WrestleMania 42.
Why is John Cena at WrestleMania 42?
Cena is the host of WrestleMania 42. That means he is there to welcome the audience to the night, and likely be part of some segments throughout both nights.
Will John Cena wrestle at WrestleMania 42?
Don't expect to see Cena go for a last-second planned match. He said when he had his last match in December, that would be the definitive end to his in-ring career. He only plans to be part of WWE as an ambassador and help promote wrestling now that he's done competing.
âThis is our last time to get together and make some noise. Whatever comes to that, comes to that," Cena said in January 2025.
When will John Cena appear at WrestleMania 42?
It's not confirmed when Cena will appear over the weekend, but he is likely to show up at both night one on Saturday, April 18 and night two on Sunday, April 19.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will John Cena be at WrestleMania 42? Why WWE icon will be at show
Q&A
Why is John Cena returning to WrestleMania 42?
John Cena is returning to WrestleMania 42 for his first appearance since his retirement tour, although details about his specific role at the event are still unclear.
What was John Cena's last match before his retirement?
John Cena's last match before his retirement was in December 2025, where he lost during his farewell tour.
How many times has John Cena won the WWE Championship?
John Cena is a record-setting 17-time WWE Champion.
What can fans expect from John Cena at WrestleMania 42?
Fans can expect to see John Cena's involvement at WrestleMania 42, though the specifics of his role have not yet been disclosed.
