John Cena not retiring, says ‘role is different’ in WWE following No Mercy

Sept. 25 (UPI) — John Cena says he is not retiring from the WWE following his lost to Roman Reigns Sunday at pay-per-view event, No Mercy.

Fans speculated whether or not Cena was retiring from in-ring action when after the match, he stood in the ring and emotionally looked on into the crowd as he received a standing ovation. Cena also saluted the live audience who had begun chanting, “Thank you Cena!”

“I just think my role is different,” the 16-time world champion said to WWE announcer Jerry Lawler who asked Cena if he was retiring during Raw Talk that took place following the conclusion of No Mercy.

“Regardless of whether I had outside opportunities or not, I’m 40 years old, and I have 15 years of track experience here in the WWE. And not at a normal level. At an elite level. And I don’t know how [much] longer I can keep it up,” he continued.

“If I had opportunities outside, great. If I didn’t, I gotta know when to say when, at that point. And I’m not done, but I don’t know if I can keep going at the pace that I’ve been going, and I think that’s a major thing for me to try to consider. This is my family. This is my life. I eat, breathe, and sleep WWE. And I don’t think anyone, whether they like me or they don’t, I don’t think anybody can argue that,” Cena said.

“So I guess I’ll be like a weird Batman character. When they shine the light, I’ll come a-runnin’.”

Cena, now 40, has started an acting career outside the WWE that continues to flourish. He will next be seen in Paramount’s upcoming Transformers spinoff Bumblebee.