John Cena’s retirement tour in 2025 turned out to be a massive success for WWE. From record-breaking ticket sales to emotional moments inside the ring, Cena’s farewell year created history.
One of the biggest highlights came at WrestleMania 41, but that was not the only event that broke records. A special edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event in December also set a new financial benchmark for arena shows.
WrestleMania 41 Becomes the Most Lucrative Event
WrestleMania 41 made headlines earlier this week after reports revealed that it became the most lucrative event in professional wrestling history.
The show was headlined by John Cena vs Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The match carried emotional weight because it was part of Cena’s retirement tour.
WWE reportedly shattered several business records throughout 2025 thanks to Cena’s farewell run. Ticket sales, merchandise numbers, and global interest all saw a major boost.
Saturday Night’s Main Event Breaks Arena Record
Another huge milestone came during the John Cena retirement edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event held on December 13 in Washington, DC.
According to POST Wrestling, the event generated $6,553,883 in ticket sales. This made it the biggest live gate for an arena-sized wrestling show in history.
Here is a comparison of the records:
| Event | Live Gate Revenue |
|---|---|
| Saturday Night’s Main Event (Dec 13, 2025) | $6,553,883 |
| First WWE Raw on Netflix at Intuit Dome (2025) | $4,898,365 |
The previous record was set earlier in 2025 at the Intuit Dome for the debut episode of WWE Raw on Netflix. Cena’s retirement match comfortably broke that number.
John Cena’s Final Match Against Gunther
The main event of that historic night featured John Cena vs Gunther.
Gunther earned the right to face Cena by winning the Last Time Is Now tournament. The match was intense and emotional, with fans fully behind Cena.
However, the ending shocked everyone. Cena tapped out to Gunther’s sleeper chokehold. It was a rare sight, as Cena had never tapped out in a losing effort before that moment. This made the loss even more dramatic and meaningful.
After the match, Cena remained firm about his retirement. While he did not rule out making WWE appearances in the future, he clearly stated that he will not wrestle again.
Showcasing the Future of WWE
Interestingly, Cena reportedly wanted his final show to highlight young and rising talent, especially stars from WWE NXT.
Two major names stood out that night:
- Oba Femi
- Sol Ruca
Oba Femi faced Cody Rhodes in the opening match. The bout ended in a no-contest after Drew McIntyre interfered. Despite the unclear finish, Femi’s presence on such a major show proved that WWE sees him as a future star.
Sol Ruca also had a big moment, defeating Bayley in a singles match. That victory helped raise her profile even more.
Oba Femi’s Big Decision
Oba Femi is now close to becoming a full-time main roster Superstar. He entered the Royal Rumble as the number one entrant and impressed fans with his strength and presence.
Both Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are reportedly trying to sign him to their respective brands, Raw and SmackDown.
Last week, SmackDown offered him a contract. Shortly after, Raw presented its own offer. As of now, Femi has not publicly announced where he will sign.
Sol Ruca, meanwhile, is set to challenge for the NXT Women’s Championship next week, showing that WWE is clearly investing in her future as well.
A Retirement Tour That Changed Business Records
John Cena’s retirement tour was not just about emotional goodbyes. It was also one of the most successful business periods in WWE history. From WrestleMania 41 breaking revenue records to Saturday Night’s Main Event setting a new arena gate benchmark, Cena’s final year delivered on every level.
At the same time, the company smartly used the spotlight to build the next generation of stars like Oba Femi and Sol Ruca. That balance between honouring a legend and promoting the future is what made this tour special.
