After an emotional loss to Roman Reigns at No Mercy, fans were left wondering if John Cena had just retired from the WWE.
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This is weird. This feels like a retirement moment. #ThankYouCena? #WWENoMercy pic.twitter.com/Sy9kF0AEBB
— 2-Count Kickout (@2countKO) September 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/Andre_Hinds/status/912175973986074624
I think @JohnCena just retired in LA at #WWENoMercy !! 😱 #ThankYouCenahttps://t.co/lDXdTgzXWh
— Dakovan Banks ℹ (@TheRealDakovan) September 25, 2017
There's no chance in hell one of the GOATS is retiring after a throwaway PPV in a rushed feud. That's a fact!
— Kristian Sturt - Transfer News (@FootieWriter) September 25, 2017
Break, maybe. Film, probably. Retirement, no chance.
— Kristian Sturt - Transfer News (@FootieWriter) September 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/LoganSekulow/status/912139824076816385
John Cena emotional saying future in good hands. Says he didn't pass the torch. Roman Reigns took it. Put him over huge on #RawTalk. #WWE
— Scott Fishman (@smFISHMAN) September 25, 2017
@JohnCena please don't leave us fans. Thank u so much for everything. You have been the best. Love ya#ThankYouCena pic.twitter.com/qs3tqjxtzN
— #Chrissy x 💙💚 (@chrissy071) September 25, 2017
#ThankYouCena #WWENoMercy @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/cz0czguwFX
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 25, 2017
That led to this moment on Raw Talk, where Cena discussed his after-match moment.
Why did @JohnCena feel like a burden was lifted off of his shoulders after coming up short against @WWERomanReigns at #WWENoMercy? pic.twitter.com/a85yvoZqBp
— WWE (@WWE) September 25, 2017
"In a one-month period, I watch this young guy develop into 'the guy'," Cena said about Reigns.
"Sitting there tonight, it felt like a giant burden being lifted off my shoulders."
Cena refused to say what he told Reigns in the ring after the match, but admitted, he's not the same wrestler he was when he won the WWE Championship in Staples Center more than a decade ago.
"I think my role is different. Regardless of if I have outside opportunities or not, I'm 40 years old. I don't know how much longer I can keep going. I have to know when to say when. I'm not done, but I don't know if I can go at the pace I've been going. I guess I'll be like a weird Batman character, when they shine the light, I'll come coming."
— John Cena (@JohnCena) September 25, 2017
Here's how the match went, if you missed it:
Fans chanted that both guys suck, and Cena left the ring to head back up the ramp to start the match.
Where are you going, @JohnCena?!? #WWENoMercy @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/o7yq43KtFh
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) September 25, 2017
Reigns attacked him from behind and threw him into the ring. Reigns controlled the match early, throwing Cena into the stairs and hitting the Driveby on the outside.
Back in the ring, Cena hit the body drop and set up for the 5 Knuckle Shuffle, but Reigns reversed into the samoan drop. Reigns locked up for the Superman Punch, but was reversed into the STF. Reigns escaped and hit a lifting powerbomb. Cena caught a diving Reigns and flipped him into the Attitude Adjusment for the two-count.
Cena attempted a diving leg drop, and Reigns reversed into a powerbomb for the two-count. Reigns connected on the Superman Punch, and followed it up with attempting the spear, but Cena evaded and he hit the corner. Cena lifted Reigns onto the top rope and connected on the diving AA off the rope, only for Reigns to kick out at two.
NEVER. GIVE. UP! #WWENoMercy @JohnCena @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/9J4SLjhal3
— WWE (@WWE) September 25, 2017
Cena winked at the camera and tore apart the Spanish and German announcer's table. Cena put Reigns in position to hit the AA onto another table, but Reigns reversed and speared Cena through the table.
These two men are giving EVERYTHING they have @WWERomanReigns spears @JohnCena THROUGH A TABLE on @WWENetwork!!! #WWENoMercy pic.twitter.com/ewvbmyqxzv
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) September 25, 2017
Back in the ring, Reigns tried for the spear, but Cena reversed into the AA, rolled into another AA and stil only got the two-count. Reigns made his way to his feet, hit the Superman punch, then finished Cena with the spear for the win.
After the match, Cena lifted Reigns' hand and they showed off to the crowd. Cena and Reigns hugged it out before he had a moment with the crowd.
