New York: WWE legend John Cena has reacted to a surprising tribute paid to him by AEW World Champion Samoa Joe during the latest episode of AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming 2025.
Cena, known for occasionally honoring his rivals by mimicking their signature moves, has seen several wrestlers return the gesture over the years. The most recent tribute came from Samoa Joe, who defended his AEW World Championship against Eddie Kingston in a high-intensity matchup.
During the bout, Joe applied Cena’s iconic STF submission hold on Kingston. To make the homage unmistakable, he followed it up with a quick signature salute, directly referencing the WWE legend.
The moment quickly caught John Cena’s attention. The 16-time world champion reacted by posting a photo of the tribute on Instagram, acknowledging Joe’s gesture without adding a caption — a signature move of his social media style.
Meanwhile, Cena is nearing the end of his retirement tour, with only one match left. His final in-ring appearance is set for December 13 at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, where he will face Gunther.
Despite retiring from in-ring competition, Cena has confirmed he is far from leaving WWE. He recently shared that he has already signed a new five-year contract for an off-screen role.
“I will be an ambassador to WWE. I am already signed on for another five years,” Cena revealed.
“I would like to be in this family as an employee and as a contributing part for as long as I can.”
Now 48, Cena admitted that he can no longer keep up with the physical demands of wrestling but expressed excitement about continuing his legacy behind the scenes.
Since debuting in 2002, John Cena has remained one of WWE’s biggest global stars, delivering iconic matches, memorable promos, and countless moments cherished by fans worldwide.
