Facing one last fight, John Cena became a WWE legend for more than ability
The Last Time Is Now. It's the name given to the tournament in which 16 wrestling giants have been competing to be the one opponent in John Cena's final fight before retirement.
And that final fight is now - Saturday night - in Washington DC, bringing the curtain down on an illustrious career that has seen the American become one of wrestling's biggest and most bankable stars.
In the 8,570 days since his debut, Cena has clinched 17 world titles and coined the iconic "You Can't See Me" catchphrase - but the 48-year-old's impact goes far beyond that.
If you were to pose the question "who is John Cena?", depending on who you ask, the answers might vary from legendary WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) superstar, to successful film actor, while some will say he's Mr Make-A-Wish (more on that later).
'An exceptional wrestling talent'
Since his 2002 debut, there's been an evolution in his own wrestling character - transitioning from "ruthless aggression" rookie, to a "Doctor of Thuganomics" rapper, and eventually a heroic character known for a "Never Give Up" attitude.
Despite criticism from some fans of his in-ring ability, with occasional chants of "you can't wrestle" through the years, "there's no doubt that he's an exceptional wrestling talent", says Brandon Thurston, editor and owner of wrestling website, Wrestlenomics.
https://wonderl.ink/@meandtheeep5
https://wonderl.ink/@clairebellep7
https://wonderl.ink/@mysafezoneep8hd
https://wonderl.ink/@relovedep3
https://wonderl.ink/@thevendettaofanep5
https://bioprofile.link/SpeedandLoveep7
https://bioprofile.link/LikeaPaletteep3hd
https://bioprofile.link/thevendettaofanep5hd
https://bioprofile.link/meandtheeep5hd
https://bioprofile.link/clairebellep7hd
https://bioprofile.link/Relovedep3uncut
https://bioprofile.link/UnlimitedLoveep10
https://speedandloveep7.readme.io/reference/speedandloveep7hd
https://meandtheeep5-uncut-hd.readme.io/reference/meandtheeep5
https://clairebellep7theseries.readme.io/reference/clairebellep7
https://thevendettaofanep7hd.readme.io/reference/thevendettaofanep7
https://unlimitedloveep10hd.readme.io/reference/unlimitedloveep10
https://x.com/theserieshd/status/1999728870577307999
https://pastelink.net/ng6iitkd
https://paste.enginehub.org/FD6jEQmzj
https://paste.centos.org/view/08075321
https://friendpaste.com/6ET4vQaBToo2vbcly3xNEm
https://freepaste.link/vh1jwvxk6k
https://pad.hacc.space/s/A2r2Updr2
https://www.etextpad.com/8wcbcqobmw
https://paste.thezomg.com/394276/56077551/
https://www.tadalive.com/forum/thread/51241/bzsfesty/
https://herbalmeds-forum.biolife.com.my/d/342488-bsdgfsey
https://mastodon.social/@olinabe11/115710882205082742
https://files.fm/ip760042/info
https://prasatnas.com/posts/241401
https://factsplat.com/splats/30b44e8d-08e4-4874-9796-655a827117ee
https://papaly.com/categories/share?id=24bdcad8a8df47bc89c158f53f415ad9
He feels something changed in 2005, after which WWE became "increasingly scripted in a way it had not been" before, as it entered into a more controlled, family friendly PG era. But Cena managed thrive.
"He's definitely been the biggest draw over the time which I would say stretches from 2005 to roughly 2015," Mr Thurston says, with Cena's merchandise also regularly topping sales for the company.
"There's little question that he was WWE's most important economic wrestler throughout that time - in terms of pay-per-view buys, which were still central in that era, TV ratings, and as a house show draw."
Outside the ring too, he's a personality who "people gravitate towards and want to listen to", says Mr Thurston - and wrestling fans like Joe Clarkson and Sabrina Nicole feel just that.
