• Cena looked to be headed for victory before being eliminated
  • The two time Rumble winner finished runner-up to Jey Uso
  • Cena immediately announced himself for March’s Elimination Chamber
Credit: WWE

John Cena appeared to be kicking off his retirement tour in style tonight, as he found himself in the final two of this year’s men’s Royal Rumble match. With just Jey Uso standing between Cena and a sixth WrestleMania main event. However, the fairytale start to his final act was not to be, as the former Intercontinental and Tag Team champion had other plans for the former Doctor of Thuganomics.

Cena, who was competing in his final ever Rumble match, entered at number 23 of the men’s match tonight and lasted until only he and Jey Uso remained. Having eliminated Logan Paul, Cena seemed like the favourite to emerge victorious from the match, with Uso fresh off a second failed World Heavyweight Championship challenge in just over eight months.

Only, with both men precariously balanced on the ring apron, having initially been thrown over the top rope, they jostled for position before Cena scooped Uso onto his shoulders, signalling for the landing of his finishing move, the Attitude Adjustment, which would see Uso plummet to the ringside mats below, ending the match. Instead, Uso slipped back into the ring and sent Cena flying to the mats, stunning fans around the world and inside the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.



Cena could barely believe what had happened in the aftermath, although the 16-time World Champion was quick to congratulate Uso on the biggest victory of his career. And while Uso declared his intention to pursue Gunther’s World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, Cena informed reporters gathered at the post-show press conference that he would be competing inside the Elimination Chamber in Toronto next month to earn a shot at Cody Rhodes’ WWE Title at ‘Mania.

Speaking during the post-show press conference, Cena didn’t field any questions, but rather just got straight to the point regarding his aims for his final year as an in-ring WWE Superstar.

“I’m going to the Elimination Chamber to win, and I’m going to main event my final appearance at WrestleMania, and win a 17th Championship, because that’s what’s best for business.”

The Elimination Chamber event often serves as a way to determine number one contenders for world titles ahead of WrestleMania. Cena will be joined by five other WWE Superstars in the multi-person cage match in Toronto on March 1, 2025.

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Joe Baiamonte
Joe spent four years heading up SPORTbible’s editorial team before taking over at UNILAD Sport. Joe has regularly provided WWE coverage for almost a decade, interviewing many of the biggest names in the business and covering several major events in the United States and Europe, including four WrestleManias.
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