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A WWE SmackDown graphic, where in the final opponent of John Cena was revealed.

Celebrities & Star Athletes Send John Cena Heartfelt Messages on WWE SmackDown Ahead of His Retirement

The “Never Seen 17” John Cena will have his final match this weekend against Gunther on December 13, 2025, at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII. There has been an outpour of tributes to Cena over the past few weeks, as well as on this week’s WWE SmackDown.

In a video package, NFL legends like Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, and Tom Brady congratulated Cena on a legendary WWE career, praising his poise as the top guy in WWE for nearly 25 years, and as an excellent representation of what a company flag-bearer should be. Eli Manning even joked that he respected and loved Cena, despite him being a hardcore New England Patriots fan.

Superstars of the music industry also paid their respects as WWE Hall-of-Fame inductee Snoop Dogg tipped his hat to John Cena, as well as GRAMMY-nominated performer Jelly Roll, who competed on this year’s SummerSlam, made his adulation clear about Cena and his impact on the wrestling industry.

The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon also bid Cena a farewell, capping off these tributes from the grander entertainment industry.

A graphic for the WWE Saturday Night's Main Event (SNME) XLII results for December 13, 2025, where John Cena retires.
Photo Credit: WWE

WWE Universe, it just goes to show that John Cena has made a considerable impact, not only in the professional wrestling industry, but in the entertainment medium as a whole.

More From LWOS Pro Wrestling

Header photo – WWE – Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on John Cena and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world.

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About Michael Joseph Sugue, Manager

Michael Joseph Sugue is a Manager, Editor, and Writer for Last Word on Sports Pro Wrestling, joining in December 2020. A fan of professional wrestling for over 20 years, he's also a former Writer and Editor for LWOS Life, covering Music, K-Pop, Movies, and TV Shows.

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