Overview
- In a September 2026 interview with Metro, Cena said he genuinely believed the Firefly Fun House match at WrestleMania 36 would be the last match of his career.
- The Firefly Fun House was filmed as a cinematic, pre-taped piece at WrestleMania 36 in April 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and played as a symbolic, career-spanning 'meta journey.'
- After that match Cena was largely absent from WWE for roughly 16 months while filming projects including Fast 9 and Barbie, a gap that reinforced the idea his in-ring run might be over.
- Cena announced his retirement at Money in the Bank in 2024 and then spent 2025 on a farewell tour called The Last Time Is Now that included a heel turn, a record 17th world title, and a final in-ring loss to Gunther on December 13, 2025.
- The contrast between the quiet, symbolic 2020 ending and a crowded, emotional arena finish shows how pandemic-era presentation and later storyline choices together shaped fans' sense of closure while Cena stays involved with WWE in an ambassador role.