John Cena believes WWE roster is going through ‘transformation’
The current WWE landscape reminds John Cena of the “transformative” period the company went through in 2004-2005.
While speaking with The Takedown on SI, Cena said that — with so many new additions to the roster — he believes WWE is currently setting its foundation for the next 15-20 years. It reminds him of the time between WrestleMania 20 and WrestleMania 21, where Cena himself was elevated from United States Champion to World Champion.
“Gosh, we have called up a whole bunch of new superstars,” Cena said. “The program is going through a transformation I haven’t seen since WrestleMania 20, at Madison Square Garden, and then WrestleMania goes Hollywood a year later. I think we’re in a period of transition like that, pouring the foundations for the next 15-20 years for the WWE.”
Cena retired from the ring in December 2025 but still works for WWE as an ambassador. Spotlighting younger talent on his retirement show was important to Cena, with Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans, Sol Ruca, and TNA’s Leon Slater receiving spots on the card. Femi and Evans have now been called up from NXT to the main roster.
The 48-year-old Cena told The Takedown on SI that post-retirement life is treating him well, and he feels this was the right time to end his chapter as an active wrestler.
“I wouldn’t say the end of my career is sad. I want to allow everyone to feel how they want to feel, but personally, I feel great,” Cena said.
“As long as I’m in one piece, I have love and fulfillment in my life, it was time to close that chapter and I really thought the last year, we went out with a bang, there were a lot of mixed opinions, but from my perspective, retirement is treating me well, so far.”
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.