John Cena has built a remarkable legacy in the realm of WWE, showcasing an unparalleled career. He holds the record for the most WWE Championship reigns, with an impressive 13 titles to his name, and is currently tied with Ric Flair for the highest number of recognized world championship reigns in WWE history at 16. Furthermore, Cena ranks fifth in all-time appearances for premium live events, boasting 167 matches, and he is set to enter his sixth main event match at WrestleMania 41.
Throughout his career, Cena has become a symbol of WWE’s “Showcase of the Immortals.”Notably, if you include his pre-show appearance at WrestleMania XIX, Cena has participated in 21 out of the 41 WrestleMania events. The only individuals surpassing him in terms of WrestleMania appearances are The Undertaker and Triple H, both of whom are now retired.
Crazy if you think about how many #WrestleMania events @JohnCena has been a part of #WWERAW Cena appeared at 19(Kickoff/Sunday Night Heat,) 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 40, and now 41 Competed: 20-31, 33, 34, 36, 39, and now 41 pic.twitter.com/tWaJTZfeCW — Joey Karni (@theanglejoey) March 31, 2025
John Cena’s Bold Ambition at WrestleMania 41
Cena’s Ultimate Goal for His Final WrestleMania Match
Despite reaching the age of 47, Cena’s saga continues, as he steps into the main event slot at WrestleMania 41 to face Cody Rhodes. This match presents Cena with the opportunity to secure his 17th world championship, a feat that would end all debate regarding his status as the greatest of all time in wrestling history. Earlier this year, Cena shocked fans by executing a heel turn at the Elimination Chamber, declaring his discontent with the “abusive relationship”he felt he had with WWE fans.
In a series of compelling promos, Cena outlined his devious plot to not only capture the WWE Championship from Rhodes but also to retire as champion, thereby altering the legacy of the title itself. Should Cena succeed, he aims to render any future champion’s reign as a mere carryover of a “toy,”positioning himself as the last true world champion in the WWE narrative.
Over the months, the WWE Championship has experienced a number of vacancies, stemming from injuries and storylines—often intertwining with Cena’s own career. This newfound narrative framework has intensified the anticipation surrounding the WrestleMania 41 main event, poised to be one of the most compelling stories within WWE throughout 2025.
Is John Cena the Greatest of All Time in Pro Wrestling?
The Numbers Speak for Themselves
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ubWi1XuPTchttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ubWi1XuPTc
There are few wrestlers in history who can claim the level of dominance Cena has achieved throughout his career. Hulk Hogan’s inaugural WWE title reign lasted 1474 days, a defining period that helped shape wrestling as an entertainment spectacle. However, Cena’s consistency and longevity surpass Hogan, as he has remained loyal to WWE without shifting allegiances, unlike Hogan’s famous jump to WCW in the 1990s. While Hogan featured in 12 WrestleMania events, Cena’s participation nearly doubles that, and Cena’s reputation remains unblemished by personal scandals that have shadowed Hogan over the years.
As WrestleMania 41 approaches, all eyes will be fixated on the highly anticipated main event, which symbolizes a classic “passing of the torch”showdown. In a pivotal segment on SmackDown, just before WrestleMania, Rhodes highlighted the importance of this clash, emphasizing that he will be fighting for the WWE Universe’s right to embrace a championship they can be proud of. Additionally, fans can look forward to Cena’s appearance on the last SmackDown before WrestleMania on April 18, marking his first U.S. crowd engagement since his heel turn.
Regardless of how Cena’s time as a heel unfolds, this upcoming year could very well serve as the crowning jewel in his already illustrious career. It’s not just a chance for him to prove his worth in WWE, but an opportunity to cement his legacy as the greatest in the entire history of professional wrestling.