John Cena announced his retirement from wrestling mainly because he feels his body and in-ring abilities are no longer at the level fans deserve after more than 20 years in WWE. He has repeatedly said he promised himself and the audience that once he felt “a step slow,” he would step away rather than linger past his prime.
Main reason: physical decline
Cena is 48 and has talked about being slower, more worn down, and unable to perform with the same explosiveness or strength as before in such a physically demanding sport. He did not want fans to pay to see him and feel shortchanged by a diminished version of what he used to be able to do.
Promise to fans and WWE
He has said he made a personal promise early in his main-event run that when he felt he had “lost a step,” he would leave the ring rather than overstay his welcome. Retiring now lets him keep that promise and, in his view, protects the integrity of his legacy and respects the current generation of wrestlers who can carry the company at a higher physical level.
Life and career after wrestling
Cena has emphasized that retirement from in-ring competition does not mean leaving WWE entirely, as he plans to stay involved with the company in other ways. He is also focusing more on his acting and TV projects, which have taken up much of his time in recent years and provide a less punishing schedule than full-time wrestling.