AEW President Tony Khan has expressed strong admiration for WWE superstar John Cena, calling him a “legendary pro wrestler” and praising his work ethic, charisma, and crossover success—even though the two have never met in person. With Cena approaching the end of his storied in-ring career, Khan’s comments highlight the deep respect Cena commands throughout the wrestling industry, including among leaders of rival promotions.
Tony Khan’s Praise for John Cena’s Legendary Career
During a recent interview on Z100 New York radio, Tony Khan described John Cena as one of the hardest-working performers in professional wrestling and acknowledged his rapid rise to superstardom. Khan emphasized Cena’s charisma and profound impact on the wrestling business:
“John Cena’s absolutely a legendary pro wrestler who came into the space and became a huge star very quickly on television because he has so much charisma and he’s one of the hardest working people as far as I know in pro wrestling.”[1][2][3]
Khan also recognized the timing of Cena’s emergence, stepping into the spotlight as many top stars of the Attitude Era were retiring or scaling back their careers, and firmly establishing himself as one of the industry’s all-time greats.
According to a WWE insider, Cena’s dedication behind the scenes and his commitment to professionalism have earned him universal respect among colleagues: “Everybody I know who has worked with John Cena has only the very, very best things to say about him.”[1]
Respect Without Personal Contact
Interestingly, Tony Khan revealed he has never actually met Cena in person or worked with him directly. Despite this, Khan’s respect stems from Cena’s reputation as both a performer and a person, reinforced by the positive feedback shared by those who have collaborated with Cena:
“I’ve never actually met John Cena and I have a ton of respect for him as a wrestler. He seems like a wonderful person.”[1]
This unusual dynamic—extending high praise without personal acquaintance—underlines Cena’s towering legacy and the regard he holds across wrestling promotions.
Cena’s Hollywood Success and AEW’s DC Partnership
Beyond wrestling, Khan recognized Cena’s growing reputation as an actor, especially his acclaimed role as Peacemaker in the DC Universe. Khan explained a unique connection between Cena and AEW’s ongoing business partnerships:
“I’m a huge fan of the Peacemaker show on HBO Max. AEW Full Gear is presented by DC. DC being the presenting sponsor, we had a great partnership going with DC. So even though I’ve never worked with John Cena in any wrestling capacity, we are partners now with DC. So that may be as close as we ever get.”[1]
This shared link through DC Comics branding creates a symbolic bridge between Cena and AEW, despite being on opposite wrestling rosters.
Cena’s Imminent Retirement and WWE’s Farewell Plans
John Cena is nearing the close of his in-ring career, with only a handful of wrestling dates left on his retirement road. His final pay-per-view appearance is scheduled for WWE Survivor Series on November 29, 2025, and his official retirement match will take place at the December 13 Saturday Night’s Main Event.[2][3]
Sources close to WWE report that Cena’s last opponent has been internally chosen and that WWE is orchestrating a memorable send-off to honor his monumental contributions to the sport.
Backstage Perspectives on Cena’s Legacy
According to a WWE insider, Cena’s impact transcends wins and losses, making him a standard for professionalism and charisma:
“John raised the bar for what it means to be a leader in the locker room and a main event star. His work ethic and attitude set a tone for everyone. His legacy is about more than just titles — it’s about the example he sets.”[2]
Meanwhile, AEW staffers note that Tony Khan’s admiration for Cena reflects an industry-wide acknowledgment of Cena’s role in shaping modern wrestling:
“Tony respects the path John carved. Even without meeting, he sees Cena’s presence as a cornerstone of wrestling’s resurgence.”[1]
What This Means for Wrestling Fans
Tony Khan’s public praise of John Cena adds an interesting dimension to the competitive wrestling landscape, showing that respect between major promotion figures often transcends business rivalries. As Cena steps away from wrestling to focus more on acting and other ventures, the words from AEW’s president convey the profound mark Cena leaves behind.
For wrestling fans, Cena’s final matches present an opportunity to celebrate a career that shaped an era, while AEW continues to build its own legacy with fresh talent and innovative partnerships like the one with DC Comics.