John Cena has made wrestling history by claiming his 17th World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship title, surpassing the previous record held by Ric Flair.
The 47-year-old wrestling icon secured the historic win at WrestleMania 41, defeating Cody Rhodes in a dramatic showdown. The match took an unexpected twist when rapper Travis Scott, 33, played a decisive role in Cena’s victory.
With this triumph, Cena becomes the most decorated champion in WWE history, overtaking 76-year-old Ric Flair, who held the world title 16 times during his illustrious career.
Fans erupted on social media following the win, with many proclaiming Cena as the greatest wrestler of all time.
“No more debates, no more doubts. John Cena is the single greatest of all time,” one fan posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Another fan praised the understated nature of Cena’s appearance, writing, “John Cena’s entrance was literally just a Microsoft Word font. I love it. So on-brand with his heel character.”
Others celebrated his legacy, calling him “The REAL GOAT” and “Our childhood hero.” One fan summed it up simply: “John Cena – the greatest there is, the greatest there was, the greatest there ever will be.”
Cena’s monumental win comes months after he announced his retirement plans. Speaking at WWE’s Money In The Bank event in Toronto earlier this year, he confirmed that 2025 would mark the end of his in-ring career.
His final appearances are scheduled for the 2025 Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania in Las Vegas.
As part of his farewell, Cena launched a retirement tour, which began at the Intuit Dome in California on January 6.
Reflecting on Cena’s influence, retired Welsh wrestler Mason Ryan shared a fond memory from 2012. After Ryan’s debut on Monday Night Raw, Cena invited him to his private bus to celebrate. What began as a brief congratulations turned into an unforgettable night of drinks and stories.
“We were drinking a beer, a shot of whiskey, and then washing it down with moonshine,” Ryan recalled with a laugh. “It was quite the blur.”
As Cena prepares to bid farewell to the ring, his record-breaking 17th world title cements his place as a true legend of the sport.
