The Last Time Is Now. That is the name of the tournament in which 16 wrestling giants competed for the honor of being John Cena’s final opponent before retirement. Tonight, in Washington DC, that match will close the curtain on one of the most illustrious careers in sports entertainment.
In the 8,570 days since his 2002 debut, Cena has amassed 16 world championships, coined the iconic catchphrase “You Can’t See Me,” and become one of WWE’s most bankable global stars. Yet to ask “Who is John Cena?” is to invite a spectrum of answers: legendary wrestler, successful Hollywood actor, and to many—Mr. Make-A-Wish.
Indeed, Cena holds the record for the most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, having fulfilled over 650 requests for children with critical illnesses. This commitment, sustained across two decades, has woven a layer of profound humanity into his superhuman persona. While his in-ring prowess made him a champion, it is this off-screen legacy of compassion that has cemented his status as a cultural icon far beyond the squared circle.
Tonight’s final bell will mark the end of an era in wrestling, but it will also underscore a lasting truth: John Cena’s greatest legacy was not just built on titles and catchphrases, but on the moments of hope he created when the cameras stopped rolling.
By James Kisoo
