Last year in 2024, the WWE Universe went into a state of shock when their childhood hero, John Cena, announced that it was time to call it quits. With 2025 being the last time he competes inside the squared circle. The fans hoped that Cena’s retirement tour would be a glorious one, where he would conclude his legendary run with a possible 17th WWE Championship, surpassing Ric Flair’s record of 16 titles.
However, his retirement tour has already been marred with criticism from the fans because he has showcased a questionable passion for the thing that he loves the most, wrestling. With Elimination Chamber taking place tomorrow at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Canada, the Peacemaker actor failed to appear at the final SmackDown segment, making the fans lose their cool.
Surprisingly, that didn’t stop them from putting on a show, as they featured one of the greatest promos of the year.
John Cena’s absence didn’t stop SmackDown from hyping Elimination Chamber’s main event
WWE’s road to WrestleMania 41 got a whole lot crazier. In the final exclusive pay-per-view event, Elimination Chamber, before the shows of shows, will witness the six men going all out inside the chamber, putting their bodies on the line for the main event, WrestleMania against Cody Rhodes. While the five men and the championship were present at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Canada, John Cena was absent, making the fans extremely upset.
Their frustration was answered by Drew McIntyre, who interrupted a retirement video about the Cenation Leader, calling him a “hypocrite,” vowing that he’d bury him in the Elimination Chamber itself. Following his comments, Damian Priest walked out, calling the Scottish Warrior obsessed with CM Punk and how this bizarre obsession cost him multiple title opportunities on various occasions.
The Visionary, Seth Rollins, joined the train, followed by CM Punk, who took shots at the 3 men present in front of him and the WWE veteran. The promo was reaching its boiling point, and at the right moment, Cena’s music hit, making the crowd erupt into a loud cheer.
However, the excitement soon turned into silence, as Logan Paul played the villain, trolling the WWE Universe and boasting how he would be the one standing tall at the end of tomorrow’s match. With a mixed set of emotions, the final segment before tomorrow’s main event has kept wrestling fans entertained.
Thus, making them look forward to tomorrow’s exclusive event that will not only settle the storyline for WrestleMania 41 but also await the answer from Cody Rhodes, who would finally answer Dwayne Johnson’s offer to become his champion. The fans were thrilled as they took to social media, discussing Cena’s absence and how the five contenders made SmackDown a successful show.
Wrestling fans review the final SmackDown before Elimination Chamber
The career of John Cena has been an iconic one, where he rose from a rookie with ruthless aggression to the face of WWE and a future Hall of Famer. Looking back, his career has been full of iconic moments and achievements that included him being a 13-time WWE Champion and a 3-time World Heavyweight Champion.
Thus, fans were disappointed on X when Cena “couldn’t even show up the night before the chamber,” calling it the “worst retirement tour of all time.” The fans commented,
Not showing up to work is the definition of a retirement tour
— Tom Quante (@TomQuante) March 1, 2025
Thought bro had his schedule cleared for this😂😂😂 Rock has made more appearances
— PandahSee (@Hanzothagod) March 1, 2025
This is why it wouldn’t make sense for him to win the chamber, main event Mania or win another title.
Not to mention, Cena himself said he didn’t want a main event push because “It would take too long to rehab his character”
— King Romulus (@KingRomulus_) March 1, 2025
This you bruh? pic.twitter.com/yCQo3EQ7Nk
— Renaissance of Wrestling (@RenofWrestling) March 1, 2025
However, the fans were quick to express their satisfaction on social media, as the five men put on a show of the year.
Logan Paul really elevated that segment 💯
— Ashay A (@ashayarekar) March 1, 2025
Absolutely! Great segment . Got us HYPE for chamber
— Brad (@BarnleyBradhart) March 1, 2025
Top-tier entertainment right here.This segment had everything.
— Deepika (@DeepikaaMurugan) March 1, 2025
As a result, the crowd was leaving the arena feeling emotionally supercharged, as they are now rooting for their favorite wrestler to win tomorrow’s PPV.
WWE Elimination Chamber will air live on Peacock and Netflix on March 1, 2025, at 7ET/ 4PT.
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