John Cena, one of WWE’s most iconic superstars, will continue to give the wrestling company a cut of his earnings even after retiring at the end of 2025. Cena, who has been a part-time performer since 2018, has transitioned into acting, starring in movies like “The Marine,” “Daddy’s Home 2,” “The Suicide Squad,” and TV shows like “Peacemaker.” Unlike The Rock, who used his real name, Dwayne Johnson, for his acting career, Cena’s birth name is also his ring name, allowing WWE to retain rights to it.
During an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Cena confirmed that WWE gets a percentage of his movie earnings due to their ownership of his name. He expressed no issue with this arrangement, seeing it as a sign of respect and gratitude towards the company that gave him his big break. Cena reflected on his humble beginnings, mowing lawns in a small Massachusetts town, and acknowledged WWE’s role in his success.
Investigative journalist Tom Colohue further explained WWE’s ownership of names, noting that Cena is not alone in this situation. Many WWE performers are subject to intellectual property rules, with the company retaining rights to their ring names, resulting in a cut of profits from any work they do under those names.
Despite his move into acting, Cena remains committed to WWE as long as his body allows. His final in-ring appearance is expected to be at WrestleMania, marking the end of an era for one of wrestling’s greatest stars. Cena’s retirement will not end his financial ties to WWE, ensuring the company continues to benefit from his enduring popularity and success.
