John Cena’s WWE Career Ends, but His Video Game Legacy Lives On
- Sagar Mankar
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Pro wrestling fans witnessed the end of an era today as 17-time world champion John Cena officially retired from WWE. In his final match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025, Cena tapped out to a sleeper hold after a grueling 25-minute battle, bringing his legendary 26-year career to a close.
Whether you’re a longtime WWE fan or a casual observer, iconic names like The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Goldberg will always be remembered—and John Cena unquestionably belongs in that same tier. Beyond the squared circle, Cena successfully crossed into mainstream entertainment, starring in blockbuster films like The Suicide Squad and Fast X, TV series such as Peacemaker, and—yes—video games as well.
Cena’s gaming legacy is massive. He has appeared in over 40 video games since his 2003 debut, starred on more than 10 cover artworks, and even lent his voice and likeness to non-WWE crossover titles. Below is a rundown of his most memorable appearances in video games.
WWE Games
John Cena made his video game debut in WWE WrestleMania XIX (2003) and quickly became a franchise staple. Over the years, he evolved alongside the series with improved character models, signature entrances, alternate attires (from Thuganomics to heel-era looks), and dedicated modes—including the WWE 2K23 Showcase, which chronicled key moments of his career.
His most recent appearance comes in WWE 2K25’s Farewell Tour Edition, effectively cementing his legacy in the franchise following retirement.
Year | Game | Key Highlights |
2003 | WWE WrestleMania XIX | Debut as a rising star. |
2003 | WWE Raw 2, WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain | Early playable roster spots. |
2004 | WWE Day of Reckoning, WWE Survivor Series, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw | Cover athlete (Survivor Series). |
2005 | WWE Day of Reckoning 2, WWE WrestleMania 21, WWE Aftershock, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 | Multiple covers (Day of Reckoning 2, WrestleMania 21). |
2006 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 | Cover star with Triple H, Batista, and Rey Mysterio. |
2007 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 | Cover star with The Undertaker and Bobby Lashley. |
2008 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 | Playable with signature moves. |
2009 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 | Cover star. |
2010 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 | Cover athlete (with The Miz and Big Show). |
2011 | WWE All Stars, WWE ’12 | Cover (All Stars); Wiz Khalifa soundtrack collaboration. |
2012 | WWE ’13, WWE WrestleFest | Featured roster member. |
2013 | WWE 2K14 | Playable character. |
2014 | WWE 2K15 | Cover star; “All Day” theme. |
2015–2025 | WWE 2K16 through WWE 2K25 | Annual roster staple; cover star (2K23); Showcase mode (2K23); farewell attires (2K25). |
Various (2015–) | Mobile titles (WWE Immortals, WWE Champions, WWE SuperCard, etc.) | Collectible fighter appearances. |
Non-WWE Game Appearances
Year | Game | Key Highlights |
2016 | Marvel Avengers Academy | Voiced the Hulk. |
2022 | Fortnite | Epic Outfit (1,500 V-Bucks), WWE Championship back bling, “You Can’t See Me” emote; still rotates in the Item Shop. |
2022 | Rocket League | John Cena–inspired Octane decal (Epic Games WWE crossover event). |
2024 | Mortal Kombat 1 | Voiced and motion-captured Peacemaker DLC character (DC role). |
Cena’s personal gaming tastes lean heavily toward retro classics. His favorites include Tecmo Super Bowl, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., and RollerCoaster Tycoon—a game he famously played on his laptop during early WWE bus tours, as mentioned in a 2017 Sports Illustrated interview.
Even in retirement, John Cena continues to rule the digital arena. You can boot him up in WWE 2K25, drop into Fortnite for an Attitude Adjustment, or unleash brutal fatalities as Peacemaker in Mortal Kombat 1.