Site last updated: Sunday, July 21, 2024

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

John Cena announces his retirement from professional wrestling after 2025 season

PEOPLE
John Cena

John Cena announced Saturday night he will retire from professional wrestling next year after two decades in the ring.

The wrestler-turned-actor delivered a heartfelt speech to a stadium of World Wrestling Entertainment fans in Toronto, who booed in disappointment as Cena said the 2025 season would be his last. He promised a farewell tour with dozens of dates and an epic final fight, and he assured fans he would remain involved with the wrestling franchise that launched his career.

“Thank you so much for letting me play in the house that you built for so many years,” Cena told the crowd.

In a news conference after the event, Cena told reporters he feels physically “at my end,” but that doesn't mean he needs to distance himself from the sport he loves.

Cena is a 16-time WWE champion who burst onto the scene in the early 2000s as the fan-favorite “Doctor of Thuganomics,” a rapper character decked in gold chains and a backwards hat who challenged his wrestling opponents to rap battles. He went on to portray other popular characters, both in the ring and on the big screen.

Cena played starring roles in the films “Blockers” and “The Suicide Squad.” He has made multiple appearances in the “Fast & Furious” franchise and appeared most recently in the comedy thriller “Argylle” and the box office hit “Barbie.”

———

Danny Trejo

“Machete” star Danny Trejo has opened up about his viral Fourth of July melee, insisting that he was targeted by water balloon-throwing parade spectators because of his race.

“I’m so sad that I behaved the way I behaved,” the action movie star told TMZ. “I’m so sad that a group of men have to throw water balloons to enjoy their day.”

Trejo was sitting in the passenger seat of a swanky convertible, driving through L.A.’s Sunland-Tujunga neighborhood amid Fourth of July celebrations, in the moments before the confrontation.

Video from the scene shows the vehicle stopped in the street and surrounded by a group of people, among them a man wielding water balloons. He chucked one at the vintage car, but Trejo said he only exited the vehicle when he heard someone say their was acid in the balloon.

“I don’t think I would’ve gotten out of the car if someone hadn’t yelled ‘it’s acid,’” he told TMZ. “That’s when I panicked.”

In clips obtained by KTTV, Trejo can be seen approaching the group, and then arguing with a man in a black shirt. Things quickly turn physical, with Trejo taking a swing at the alleged balloon-thrower before he stumbles backwards off the curb and falls into the street.

Some people nearby joined in the scuffle, while others attempted to deescalate the situation. But before things calmed, Mario Castillo, a friend of Trejo’s who was also in the car, said a group held him down and stomped on his arms.

Castillo showed off his bruises, both on his limbs and on his face, to TMZ.

When asked whether they believe they were singled out because they’re Mexican, both Castillo and Trejo said they felt racism was at the root of the matter.

“It was targeted, because there was no one else being hit by balloons in front of us or behind us,” Castillo told TMZ. “It was just at our lowrider.”

Trejo, who recently celebrated his 80th birthday, echoed the sentiment.

“I’m just sad that there are still people from the '50s and '60s that still feel the same way,” the actor said. “No one else was targeted.”

He added: “I would be embarrassed if I attacked an 80-year-old man.”

———

Vanessa Hudgens

Actress Vanessa Hudgens confirmed the birth of her first child while chastising paparazzi for photographing the actress and husband Cole Tucker as they left the hospital this week with their newborn.

The “High School Musical” alum, 35, didn’t mince words as she confirmed the news in an Instagram story Thursday.

“We’re disappointed that our family’s privacy was disrespected and exploited during this special time due to the greed of a long lens camera feeding the media,” said Hudgens. “Despite all of that, mom dad and baby are happy and healthy.”

Hudgens’ remarks come after TMZ published snaps Wednesday of a nurse wheeling her and her baby out of the hospital with Tucker following behind. Tucker, who turned 28 on Wednesday, shared Hudgens’ story on his own.

The pair, who wed in December, did not confirm on what day they welcomed their child, nor did they reveal the baby’s sex or name.

Hudgens debuted her baby bump in March while co-hosting the Academy Awards preshow.

Hudgens shouted out Tucker’s special day Wednesday with a sweet selection of photos she shared on Instagram.

“Happy birthday to my slice of heaven @cotuck,” she captioned the carousel. “You make the world a brighter place just by being you.”

From combined wire services

More in People

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS