2025 started on a disappointing note for John Cena fans when he announced that this would be his last year in the WWE. However, more goodbyes are expected in the future, as several prominent talents inside the ring are preparing for their final run in the company as professional wrestlers.
As per a post from Wrestle Purists (via X), Hiroshi Tanahashi and AJ Styles are set to retire soon after Cena, marking the end of an era in professional wrestling.
「棚橋のゴールを決めました…2026年1月4日…」
なんと棚橋弘至選手が、2026年1.4での“レスラー引退”を決意…！
視聴＆登録⏩https://t.co/9iZJzPgCfN#NJPW #njpwworld #njkopw pic.twitter.com/wGlqDPlRib
The NJPW superstar announced his retirement during the NJPW King of Pro-Wrestling in October 2024. His final match as a professional wrestler will take place in the Tokyo Dome, at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026. But the fact that Styles will also follow the footsteps of these legends has come as a shock.
Will John Cena vs AJ Styles at Crown Jewel 2025 Be the Beginning of the End for ‘The Phenomenal One’?
AJ Styles has been overlooked by the WWE for some time now. The last title ever held by him was back in 2020, when he held the Intercontinental title for 74 days.
Since then, the career trajectory for styles has been regressing. ‘The Phenomenal One’ has been limited to main roster bookings by the WWE, and he’s hardly involved in any PLE events. His recent pursuit of holding the Intercontinental title once again by defeating Dominik Mysterio failed.
Not only was ‘Dirty Dom’ more steadfast than him, but it felt like the WWE creative heads did not want Styles as the next Intercontinental Champion.
Aj styles vs Dominik mysterio
RAW 2/17/25
Enjoy the song choice pic.twitter.com/d7o1uGK0tb
It is because of these reasons that Styles has been irritated by the way the company has treated him. His frustration boiled over during the September 8, 2025, edition of Friday Night SmackDown (via WWE) when ‘The Phenomenal One’ lashed out at the creative heads of the company under Triple H, indirectly stating that someone in the WWE doesn’t want him in the locker room anymore.
These remarks have pointed out that the former WWE Champion may soon hang up his wrestling boots and look for other pursuits in life. ‘The Phenomenal One’ has been open about his retirement. In September 2025, AJ Styles publicly stated in an interview with Tokyo Sports that he would,
definitely retire within the next year,
with his final match likely to happen in 2026.
Additionally, Styles expressed his desire for a match at WrestleMania 42, but till now, there has been no official confirmation on that.
In the middle of the chaos and turmoil around his future, WWE has recently announced that he will be facing his arch-rival, John Cena, for a showdown clash at Crown Jewel 2025 in Perth, Australia.
With the handful of matches remaining in John Cena’s retirement tour, the highest takes encounter between him and Styles may also mean something much more for ‘The Phenomenal One’. WWE could also initiate the beginning of his final run in the company as a professional wrestler and head towards giving him the kind of respect and bookings that he deserves.
The End of an Era in the WWE: Other Legendary Wrestlers Who Might Bid Farewell in the Near Future
John Cena’s upcoming clash against AJ Styles at Crown Jewel 2025 comes at an interesting juncture. The 17-time World Champion has made it clear that December 13, 2025, will be his final appearance in the WWE.
But other superstars are also poised to bid farewell to the world of professional wrestling. These include legendary figures like Randy Orton and Shinsuke Nakamura. While there are no official announcements either from the company or these veteran superstars, it’s not evidently clear that the kind of place they once had inside the ring and the locker room is no longer there.
Whatever may be the case, it’s now evidently clear that the legendary figures from the Ruthless Agression era are now set to become a part of history and legacy in the company.
What are your thoughts on these upcoming potential retirements in the company? Share with us in the comments below.
Crown Jewel 2025 will be streaming live on October 11, 2025, on ESPN in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.
