John Cena Announced as WrestleMania 42 Host After Retirement

The former 16-time WWE champion will return to the ring in a new role at the biggest event of the year.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 2:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Just months after retiring from WWE following a loss to Gunther, John Cena has announced he will be returning to the company as the host of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. In a video posted to his social media, Cena revealed he will be taking on the hosting duties for the promotion's biggest annual show, despite no longer competing as an in-ring performer.

Why it matters

Cena's return as WrestleMania host is significant, as the former 16-time world champion is one of the most iconic and recognizable figures in WWE history. His presence will undoubtedly generate excitement and interest in the event, even though he will not be wrestling. This move also signals a new chapter in Cena's WWE career as he transitions from an active competitor to an ambassador and host for the company.

The details

In the video announcement, Cena stated that while he is "retired" and "living in the sun," he is actually in Las Vegas shooting a Netflix movie called "One Attempt Remaining." He then revealed that he has been tapped to host WrestleMania 42, which is scheduled for April 18-19, 2026 in Las Vegas. Cena's last match was a loss to Gunther, but he will now return to WWE in a new role, serving as the host for the company's biggest annual event.

  • Cena retired from WWE following a loss to Gunther earlier this year.
  • WrestleMania 42 is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 18-19, 2026.
  • Cena announced his return as WrestleMania 42 host in a video posted to his social media on March 30, 2026.

The players

John Cena

A former 16-time WWE world champion who is one of the most iconic and recognizable figures in professional wrestling history. Cena recently retired from in-ring competition but will now return to WWE as the host of WrestleMania 42.

Gunther

The current WWE Intercontinental Champion who defeated John Cena in Cena's final match before retirement.

AJ Styles

A former WWE Champion who also recently retired from in-ring competition and has taken on a new role as a scout for WWE.

Brock Lesnar

A former WWE and UFC Champion who is rumored to be retiring from wrestling later this year, though there are currently no confirmations.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Ah, retired, life in the sun. I'm kidding, check out the backdrop. I'm shooting a movie for Netflix called 'One Attempt Remaining' which you can see when it comes out. I'm also on the road. Which is ironic because there's a road to WrestleMania going on, and Hollywood is really close to Vegas. Rumor around this town is WrestleMania needs a host, well, I'm already on that road, so I will see you at WrestleMania.”

— John Cena

What’s next

Fans will be eager to see how Cena embraces his new role as WrestleMania host and what special elements he brings to the event. It will also be interesting to see if Cena makes any special in-ring appearances or confrontations with other WWE legends throughout WrestleMania weekend.

The takeaway

John Cena's transition from active WWE competitor to WrestleMania host signals a new chapter in his legendary career. While he may no longer be wrestling, his enduring popularity and status as one of the greatest superstars in company history will undoubtedly make him a central figure at the biggest event of the year.