John Cena will make his return to WWE, just months after retiring from in-ring competition.
Cena closed the chapter on his legendary WWE career at Saturday Night’s Main Event back in December, losing to Gunther in an emotional retirement match.
That show ended with Cena removing his trainers, and his wristbands, heading to the top of the entrance ramp before offering one last salute, exiting a WWE arena for the very last time as an active performer.
Since then, Cena has not appeared live on any WWE programming, choosing to focus on his career in Hollywood.
Until now...
Taking to social media on Monday, Cena shocked the WWE universe by teasing an appearance at WrestleMania 42 which is taking place in Las Vegas across two nights on April 18 and 19.
He posted: “Since retirement, my ‘road’ has looked a little different… but now I can officially say I’m headed to WrestleMania!!!! See you in Las Vegas!"
In the subsequent video, Cena effectively announced he would be the host of WWE’s biggest Premium Live Event (PLE) of the year
"The rumour around this town is WrestleMania needs a host,” he added. “Well, I'm already on that road so I will see you at WrestleMania."
WWE then followed that up by making a blockbuster announcement on X, formerly Twitter: “The GOAT @JohnCena is OFFICIALLY the Host of #WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas!!!”
The GOAT @JohnCena is OFFICIALLY the Host of #WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas!!!
— WWE (@WWE) March 30, 2026
🎟️: https://t.co/A9p2adsBMz https://t.co/cttYUnj0kt
Cena marked his final WrestleMania appearance last year by beating Cody Rhodes in the main event on night two to become a record-breaking 17-time world champion.
He would go on to lose the Undisputed WWE championship in a street fight against Rhodes at SummerSlam a few months later, becoming a fan favourite once again in the process.
Rhodes is set to headline WrestleMania in another title match this year, facing the Men’s 2026 Elimination Chamber winner Randy Orton in one of eight matches already confirmed on the card.
Roman Reigns, who won the men’s 2026 Royal Rumble, will challenge CM Punk for the world heavyweight championship, rising star Oba Femi does battle against Brock Lesnar and Liv Morgan will aim to dethrone women's world champion Stephanie Vaquer.
