John Cena confirms new WWE contract days before retirement match
Hollywood star John Cena has confirmed his new WWE role after penning a five-year contract before his last ever match this weekend.
John Cena has signed a new five-year contract with WWE.
The 48-year-old star - who will retire from professional wrestling this weekend at Saturday Night's Main Event - has confirmed his plans to stay involved with the company beyond his final match on December 13.
Speaking to Tom Rinaldi in an interview for WWE's YouTube channel, he said: "I will be an ambassador to WWE. I’m already signed on for another five years.
"I was like, ‘Please, as long as you can do it. I would like to be in this family as an employee, as a contributing part for as long as I can.’ "
The wrestler turned Hollywood actor reiterated his stance that this weekend's match will be his last ever physical appearance for WWE.
He added: “Physical activity, 100%, and I very rarely speak in absolutes, because you never know — I do know in this case.
"This is why I can speak in absolutes, because I don’t want to let the people that I made a promise to down.”
However, Cena is excited to see what the future holds in his new role for the company which launched his career in 2002.
He said: “It’s not my time to perform anymore. I have a bunch of strengths and gifts that I can pass on.
"I’m looking forward to the second mountain of being an ambassador.
"Maybe ambassadorship comes with letting more people know to watch this, which was my goal in the first place.
"And maybe mentorship to talent I wouldn’t spend time with where I can sit and be like, ‘Who are you really? How can I get the rapping moment on the bus? I want that guy or girl on TV.’ I’m looking forward to that stuff."
Cena has opened up before about being close to being fired before he started freestyling with other wrestlers at the back of the bus during a WWE tour of Europe.
Over two decades later, he will call time on his in-ring career in a matter of days.
He will face Austrian star GUNTHER - a former World Heavyweight Champion - in his farewell match on Saturday (13.12.25).
Echoing Cena's sentiments about giving back to the business, the show will also feature stars of the future against some of the biggest names in WWE.
Current NXT Champion Oba Femi will challenge WWE Champion and company figurehead Cody Rhodes, while Sol Ruca will face Bayley.
On last night's (08.12.25) episode of Monday Night Raw on Netflix, it was confirmed Je'Von Evans and TNA Wrestling's Leon Slater, both 21, will challenge current tag team champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee.
