John Cena has revealed he plans to retire at the age of 50 as he hinted he may yet appear at WrestleMania next month.
The 46-year-old wrestler-turned-Hollywood icon has been a part-time performer in WWE since 2019.
His focus has been geared more towards his television and film projects – including new movie Ricky Stanicky.
Such is Cena’s star power, though, there still remains regular demand amongst fans for the leader of the ‘Cenation’ to feature on WWE programming.
It appears the window for him to do that is starting to shorten, with the 16-time world champion stating his wrestling career will soon be coming to an end.
Appearing on the Kelly Clarkson Show to promote his new flick, the Suicide Squad actor, who debuted in WWE in 2002, admitted he is ‘curious’ to try other things.
He said: “You know what, 50 is my absolute line in the sand.
“I would like to try and do it before that, but at 50, I’m just gonna Tweet out: ‘Peace out, see ya.’ That’s it, I’m good.”
Cena added: “I was very much driven where WWE was my passion 24/7, and I’m very grateful, but I’ve grown and there’s a lot of other avenues I’m curious about in life.
“Being a great husband and partner is one of those. I just want to try do what I can in those [years].”
His retirement admission will undoubtedly only lead to an increase in calls for him to dive into another WWE run before that exit comes.
Such demands are no greater than during ‘WrestleMania season’, with the 40th edition of WWE’s biggest flagship show coming up next month.
And Cena teased fans he could make an appearance on the first night of the event when pressed on his WrestleMania plans on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Quipping he could face rival and fellow Hollywood star Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, he remarked: “People are talking WrestleMania 40.
“They’re speculating that The Rock and I will be in the ring at Philadelphia for WrestleMania 40. They’re gonna keep talking until it happens. We don’t know yet.”
He continued: “It’s April 6, Philadelphia. I know exactly where it is. I’m free that day, I’m just saying to you guys out there.
“Now the energy is coming back a little bit. Now the energy is coming we got a drum roll. The suspense is building.”
Making a play on his famous catchphrase, he followed up: “Maybe you won’t see me there!”
The Rock of course already has his hands full for this year’s WrestleMania as he’s set to feature in his first major match in over a decade.
He teams with Undisputed Universal WWE Champion – and cousin – Roman Reigns to wrestle Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes.
The bout is in place to set the storyline stakes for the following night’s singles match between Reigns and Rhodes – which could take place under Bloodline Rules.