WWE has significantly altered the itinerary for John Cena’s highly anticipated retirement tour, removing multiple cities from the schedule following the announcement of the new WrestlePalooza event. This move has left many fans disappointed as they won’t get a chance to see Cena in their hometowns during what was originally billed as a comprehensive farewell run for the WWE legend.
John Cena’s Retirement Tour: Originally a Grand Farewell
John Cena’s retirement tour, declared at the start of 2025, was planned as a meticulously crafted farewell journey across some of the world’s most passionate wrestling markets. Originally, Cena was slated to appear at roughly 35-40 events throughout the year, including major Pay-Per-View shows and special televised events. The tour encapsulated Cena’s last in-ring moments, highlighted by jaw-dropping matches such as his 17th world title win at WrestleMania 41 and his shocking heel turn at Elimination Chamber[1][3].
The farewell dates included stops in key cities ranging from Los Angeles and Toronto to Brussels, Dublin, and Perth, offering fans worldwide a final chance to see the WWE superstar in action[2][4].
The Unexpected Shift: WrestlePalooza Adds Complexity
In August 2025, WWE announced WrestlePalooza, a new marquee event to be held on September 20, which has effectively compressed the calendar for Cena’s retirement tour. Sources close to WWE reveal that the addition of WrestlePalooza required a reshuffling of existing plans to accommodate increased production needs and promotional commitments. As a result, several smaller cities initially scheduled to host Cena’s farewell appearances were dropped.
A WWE insider explained:
“With WrestlePalooza being such a big new event, WWE had to prioritize its launch and tie it closely with Cena’s farewell narrative. Unfortunately, this meant cutting some stops that didn’t align with the new marketing and logistical strategy.”
Which Cities Got the Axe?
While WWE hasn’t officially released a list of the removed dates, industry analysts note that several secondary markets—cities outside the traditional major hubs like New York, Los Angeles, or Toronto—were quietly scrapped. Fans in these regions will have to make the trip to a larger WWE event to catch Cena live. This adjustment has stirred frustration among local fanbases who were eagerly awaiting the farewell spectacle.
Confirmed remaining key stops for Cena post-adjustment still include major shows such as:
- August 31: Clash in Paris, France
- October 11: Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia
- November 29: Survivor Series: WarGames in San Diego
- December 13: Cena’s final match at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, location speculated to be near his hometown in Massachusetts[3][4]
Fan and Analyst Reactions
The revision of Cena’s farewell tour schedule has sparked a mixed reaction across the WWE community. Longtime fans express disappointment, feeling a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their hero live has been diminished by corporate decisions.
One vocal commentator summarized the sentiment stating:
“John Cena’s retirement was supposed to be a celebration for fans across the globe, but WWE’s recent pullback on dates almost feels like a betrayal to his loyal followers.”
On the other hand, some analysts believe focusing the tour around fewer, larger events like WrestlePalooza may enhance the overall spectacle and give Cena’s final year a more impactful narrative arc.
Behind the Scenes: Strategic Considerations
Sources inside WWE indicate that managing Cena’s retirement tour was always a juggling act between honoring his legacy, maximizing revenue, and operational feasibility. WrestlePalooza’s announcement disrupted this balance but was ultimately viewed by WWE as a strategic opportunity to spotlight Cena’s farewell within a new premium event that could draw audiences and sponsors alike.
A backstage source shared:
“WWE is always balancing storytelling with business realities. While it’s hard to disappoint fans, the company believes WrestlePalooza and the condensed tour dates will deliver a more focused and high-profile sendoff for John.”
What This Means for Cena’s Legacy
Despite the pruning of the tour schedule, John Cena’s farewell year remains one of WWE’s most emotionally charged storylines of 2025. His run features landmark moments, including a surprise heel turn, lavish title reigns, and high-profile matches against emerging stars like Logan Paul.
Cena’s final match, scheduled for December 13 on NBC’s Saturday Night’s Main Event streaming exclusively on Peacock, promises to be a historic closing chapter to a career that spanned over two decades[3][4].
How Fans Can Still See Cena Live
While some cities were cut from the tour, dedicated fans can still catch John Cena at WWE’s remaining major events, particularly:
- Clash in Paris (Aug 31)
- Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia (Oct 11)
- Survivor Series: WarGames in San Diego (Nov 29)
- Saturday Night’s Main Event final farewell (Dec 13)
Tickets for these events remain in high demand, and WWE has encouraged fans to secure seats early due to the limited number of shows left on Cena’s journey.
John Cena’s retirement tour is a monumental occasion in professional wrestling history, and despite recent changes, WWE strives to deliver fitting farewell moments. The adjustment in scheduling underscores the challenges of orchestrating a farewell on this scale while innovating with new event platforms like WrestlePalooza.
As the year progresses, fans eagerly await the remaining chapters of Cena’s legendary career, hopeful to witness the GOAT step out of the ring on his own terms.