LOS ANGELES, July 7: US actor and wrestler John Cena has shocked fans by announcing his retirement from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) during a special appearance at the WWE Money in the Bank event in Canada. Cena, 47, revealed that his final in-ring competition will take place in 2025 as part of a farewell tour.

Cena, widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, has achieved world champion status 16 times since joining WWE in 2001. Addressing fans in Toronto, Cena declared, "Tonight I officially announce my retirement from the WWE," prompting surprise and gratitude from the audience who chanted "Thank you, Cena."

Sporting a t-shirt labeled "The Last Time is Now" and his trademark "jorts," Cena expressed heartfelt appreciation to WWE fans for their enduring support throughout his career. Despite his physical limitations, Cena affirmed his intention to remain involved with WWE in some capacity, emphasizing his deep connection to the wrestling community.

Since his acting debut in 2006 with "The Marine," Cena has transitioned into a successful acting career, appearing in major films such as "The Suicide Squad," "Fast & Furious 9," and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." While performing part-time with WWE since 2018, Cena made headlines earlier this year with a memorable appearance at the Academy Awards.

Notably, Cena holds the distinction of being the most requested celebrity by children through the Make-A-Wish charity, where he holds a Guinness World Record for fulfilling the highest number of wishes for critically ill children.

As Cena prepares to bid farewell to the WWE ring, fans and colleagues alike celebrate his contributions and eagerly await his final performances in the coming years.