2025 will be John Cena’s final year as an in-ring performer in WWE. The 16-time world champion will be retired for a year and on a so-called “full-time schedule”. The Cenation Leader’s final run before ditching the jorts will be one of the product’s biggest focuses throughout the year.

While the retirement tour holds great potential for magical and unforgettable moments, if handled incorrectly it could result in major disappointments. Therefore, Triple H and his creative team must avoid certain crucial mistakes in order not to spoil the Chain Gang Leader’s final run as an active competitor. This will be crucial in ensuring that the 47-year-old Hollywood star gets the send-off he deserves

With that in mind, let’s look at four of the biggest mistakes WWE needs to avoid with John Cena in 2025

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#4. WWE can’t choose the wrong opponent for John Cena’s final WrestleMania match

As the Road to WrestleMania 41 approaches, speculation about possible matches has already begun. A number of rumors and reports have emerged, which have received mixed reactions from fans. One of the most controversial potential clashes was Logan Paul vs. John Cena, which sparked heated debate among fans.

On the one hand, the match has undeniable crossover potential and could be a great in-ring spectacle. On the other hand, many fans feel that Cena’s final match at The Show of Shows should have a much deeper story and meaning. The controversy surrounding this planned feud should inform the creative team of the importance of choosing the right final opponent for the 16-time world champion.

Whether it’s Paul, a world champion like Gunther or a rising star like Bron Breakker, you can’t be wrong.

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#3. WWE can’t “waste” John Cena feuds in 2025.

As soon as John Cena announced his retirement tour, several WWE superstars began throwing their hats into the ring to be a part of it. These ranged from old rivals to new rivals and featured dozens of fascinating match-ups. Fans agreed with some of these potential fights while being less convinced by others.

As the creative team puts together the Champ’s final run, they must choose their feuds with the utmost care. Triple H and Co. need to know which opponents Cena should and shouldn’t face, and which rivalries should be long-term or short-term. Time is precious when it comes to the Chain Gang Soldier, so none of the interactions on his farewell tour should feel unnecessary or “wasted.”

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#2. WWE needs to avoid relying on nostalgic bookings for John Cena’s run in 2025

Over the course of his illustrious 22-year WWE career, John Cena has amassed an incredible gallery of rivals. From Kurt Angle to CM Punk, The Face That Runs The Place has taken on some of the best of all time. Many of these legendary old enemies are still active today and are as strong as ever.

With the 16-time world champion concluding his in-ring career in 2025, many fans want to see him “get back” with his old rivals. The likes of Punk, Randy Orton and others have expressed interest in competing against him, which has caused great excitement among fans. While some of these iconic rivalries definitely deserve a final chapter, WWE must be careful not to lean too heavily on them at the expense of giving younger stars a chance to work with The Cenatiom Leader.

While it is important to honor the past, the primary focus should be on building for the future

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#1. WWE can’t oust John Cena in 2025 without a plan

John Cena has done almost everything in his WWE career. He’s won and lost titles, beaten legends and upstarts, fought all types of matches from dark to comedic, and much more. However, there are still a few “what if” questions in his story, most notably his potential heel turn, which fans have been booking as a fantasy story for over a decade.

Given the Triple H era’s track record of fan service, there’s a good chance they’ll pull the trigger on the turnaround in 2025. However, if it is to happen, the pivot needs to be done right and have a strong story behind it. A poorly executed turn would be detrimental to everyone involved and, given that it’s Cena’s final run, leave little room for course correction.

If the creative team can’t find a way to book The Franchise’s turn-and-heel run perfectly, it’s better to leave them alone.