John Cena Shatters Records with 17th WWE World Championship Victory at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas

• John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas.
• The victory gives Cena the most world championships in professional wrestling history, according to WWE.
• Cena announced last year his plans to retire from professional wrestling around 2025.

John Cena has officially become the most decorated professional wrestler in history!

He secured his 17th world championship on Sunday, April 20, by pinning Cody Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Championship in the main event at WrestleMania 41, held in Las Vegas.

This record-breaking win surpasses the legendary Ric Flair, who held 16 world titles during his illustrious wrestling career. Cena’s triumph took place in front of 63,226 fans at Allegiant Stadium, including 76-year-old Flair. This moment stands as a peak in Cena’s remarkable career, which he has indicated will conclude this year.

As he turns 48 this week, Cena revealed last summer his intention to retire from wrestling sometime in 2025. Although there was speculation that his retirement might occur at WrestleMania 41, his victory on Sunday seems to indicate that the Fast & Furious star will continue his wrestling journey for at least a bit longer.

“I just love it,” Cena shared earlier this month, highlighting the tough choice of stepping away from the ring to focus on an acting career.

Traditionally, professional wrestlers lose their championships to another opponent before retiring. However, Cena, who recently began portraying a heel character on-screen, has warned fans that he might leave the show holding its main title. This storyline has generated significant buzz, becoming one of the most engaging plots in recent years.

“I will win that championship and retire with it,” Cena declared to fans last month. “I am taking it home with me. I’m leaving all of you to create a brand new toy belt because the real one comes home with me. I will be the last real champion in WWE.”

Cena, a 25-year veteran of professional wrestling who made his Hollywood breakout with a supporting role in 2015’s Trainwreck, returned to WWE in January. He made his ambition to fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship known, aiming to surpass Flair as the most decorated wrestler ever. After qualifying to face Rhodes in March, Cena shocked fans by turning heel for the first time in over two decades, attacking the champion alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and rapper Travis Scott.

In the weeks that followed, Cena hinted that fans should expect “more unpredictability” in his character’s storyline, revealing that his future plans extend beyond WWE programming.

Now, WWE viewers are left with lingering questions: When will Cena retire? And what will his latest championship reign entail?

While Cena’s character may threaten to leave without looking back, the man behind the character has stated he will never fully sever ties with the wrestling business, even when he hangs up his boots.

“When I can no longer compete, I will always be a part of the WWE family in some capacity, whether through mentorship or as an advocate and spokesperson for the brand,” Cena expressed. “They will certainly have to shoo me away because I’m, like you, a fan first and I love it so much.”