John Cena Announces 2025 WWE Farewell Tour Amid Creative Team Criticism

John Cena is currently on his farewell tour, set to retire from active WWE wrestling by the end of 2025, with a final match scheduled at Wrestlepalooza on September 20. Cena's recent heel turn, orchestrated by The Rock and marked by winning his 17th World Championship, was abruptly dropped before SummerSlam, reverting him back to a babyface, a decision criticized by former WWE head writer Vince Russo as a wasted opportunity and poorly managed storyline. Russo suggested behind-the-scenes issues, including creative disagreements involving The Rock and WWE's creative team, led to the angle's failure, which also impacted Cena's merchandise revenue. Cena now faces a high-profile challenge against Brock Lesnar, who returned after nearly two years, signaling a significant storyline push for Cena’s final months in WWE. Additionally, AJ Styles recently delivered a shoot promo suggesting backstage opposition to his presence in WWE, though Vince Russo refuted this, noting Styles still regularly wrestles, highlighting inconsistencies in WWE's creative booking. These developments underscore ongoing creative challenges and shifts within WWE as the company manages the careers of its established stars during a transitional period.