John Cena: I Miss the Crowd, Not the Physicality, While Promoting Little Brother

John Cena told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show that what he misses most about WWE is the crowd and the energy of walking through the curtain, not the physical toll of the ring. Promoting his Netflix film Little Brother (premieres June 26), Cena said he “had to walk away” because he “can’t get body-slammed anymore,” noting he used to feel “jagged” after Raw but now enjoys a lighter schedule following his year-long 2025 retirement tour that culminated with his loss to Gunther on December 13.

Cena remains with WWE as an ambassador and is developing the John Cena Classic, a proposed end-of-2026 event billed as an All-Star Game-style showcase with main roster and NXT talent and a fan vote to name the John Cena Classic Champion. He hosted WrestleMania 42, teased the concept at Backlash, and continues to promote Little Brother — in which he plays Rudd opposite Eric Andre’s chaotic Marcus — with Andre even appearing on Raw to help plug the film.

Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/john-cena-reveals-misses-most-wwe-retirement/.