John Cena has revealed the opponents who defined his career as he prepares to take retirement from WWE later this year.
“I have a few wrestling soulmates,” said Cena. “Those are Randy Orton, Edge, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and AJ Styles. But gosh, I can’t take any shine away from Cody Rhodes – add him, too.”
Only a week removed from his modern-day classic against Rhodes at SummerSlam, Cena visited Boston after wrestling on Friday Night SmackDown in Montreal.
No longer WWE Champion after dropping the belt to Rhodes, he spent Saturday as the people’s champion, signing autographs and taking part in a Q&A at the Fan Expo in the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.
With his final match scheduled for December in Boston, Cena explained why now is the right time to end his run. “I feel a little bit slower,” said Cena, 48.
“I’m not as strong as I was. I look at all the current superstars, and they’ve earned the right to chase their dreams. For me, it’s time.”
John Cena’s retirement opponent
He also addressed speculation over his farewell opponent, widely expected to be Brock Lesnar. “I’ve been doing this for 23 years, and I’ve never once chosen my opponent,” said Cena.
“I’ve always lived by the philosophy that life will give you opportunities every single day, and you have to do the best you can every single day with what life gives you.
“So whoever challenges me for that last match, I’m going to give it my best shot.”
Cena still relishes coming home, including a stop at a Saugus favourite. “My favorite restaurant, that’s the Kowloon,” he said. “Have you ever heard a scorpion bowl there? It’s incredible. Kowloon is amazing.”
Reflecting on his most significant moment, he pointed to Raw in Boston during the road to WrestleMania with The Rock in 2012.
John Cena praises The Rock
“And Rock is one of a kind, he’s in his own universe, and I’m talking for real. The Dwayne Johnson-verse. It’s his planet, and you’re kind of just watching. And he comes back, and we had a bunch of time on the mic in Boston.
“I have to admit, you guys [in Boston] didn’t like me very much. And I get it, I was out there with the friggin’ Rock. But they allowed me to speak as one of them. And in a matter of 15 minutes, everything changed.
“I’ll never forget that energy shift. It’s my favorite moment in that building.”
Cena also reflected on a life-changing moment outside the ring. “Walking into Hard Nocks Gym in Amesbury, that changed my life,” he said.
“I met Dave Nocks, and he encouraged me to work my very hardest. At the age of 15, I needed a father figure and a mentor, and Dave was very influential in building the values of who I am. I’m forever for Hard Nocks Gym and Dave Nocks.”
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