Possibility of John Cena becoming a 17-time world champion in WWE retirement tour

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John Cena is heading toward the curtain call phase of his illustrious career in the WWE starting in early 2025. At the 2024 WWE Money in the Bank event in Toronto, Canada, his emotional announcement came about retiring from in-ring competition, next year.

Given this will be the last hurray for The Cenation Leader and that he will be wrestling throughout the major portion of 2025, the assumption is that WWE will be reserving some big-time plans for him including one last world championship run.

Should John Cena retire without winning the WWE or the World Heavyweight Championship, then he remain tied with Ric Flair for WWE's record for having most world championship runs at 16, although Flair's title reign counts are disputed.

On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer discussed the possibility of Cena breaking Flair's record by winning his 17th world title, either the World Heavyweight Championship or the Undisputed WWE Championship, a scenario that's pretty much possible.

"It will be interesting if they try to have him go for 17," Meltzer said. "I don't know if he's gonna go for it but just the way he talked and everything, it wouldn't shock me."

It's been more than 7 years since John Cena has held a world title or any title in the WWE. Winning the WWE Championship at Royal Rumble 2017, he lost it to Bray Wyatt in an Elimination Chamber match just two weeks later.

WWE Universe has been buzzing about the possible scenarios around John Cena's retirement tour but the company as well as the concerned name is tight-lipped about the plans in the pipeline which possibly could also have one final mid-card title reign.

"Mr. Hustle, Loyalty and Respect" is just a title win away from becoming a WWE Grand Slam Champion, with the Intercontinental Championship being the only belt that's yet to be included in his future Hall of Famer resume.

Talents in the WWE locker room have been kept in the dark regarding this retirement tour. For the time being, Cena has been confirmed to perform at the 2025 Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 41 PLEs.