John Cena on WWE retirement: ‘I don’t think I left anything on the table’

John Cena, after a successful second career in Hollywood, expressed his continued love for professional wrestling, despite retiring from WWE last year. During a panel at Middle East Film and Comic Con in Abu Dhabi, Cena noted that acting provided him longevity, allowing him to play various roles, including superheroes and elderly characters, that wrestling didn't offer.

At 50, Cena felt fortunate to retire in good health, despite the physical demands of wrestling. He acknowledged the emergence of young, talented wrestlers in WWE, hoping his retirement would clear the path for their opportunities. Cena confirmed he had no unfinished business or unfulfilled dream match, stating he felt his career was already complete.

The challenges Cena faced, including boos from fans, eventually shaped his character, teaching him humility and making him more receptive to constructive criticism. When asked about his toughest opponent, Cena unhesitatingly named Brock Lesnar, and when asked about his dream WWE Hall of Famer teammate, he chose Andre the Giant. Cena shared his ambitions as a beginner wrestler, saying his initial goal was simply to wrestle in front of any audience, regardless of size.

In a local touch, Cena reminisced about his time in Abu Dhabi, praising the city's coffee scene, and expressed interest in racing on the dunes.