John Cena announced he will be the host of WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas. The news came as Cena spoke about his work since retiring from in-ring action.
Cena’s announcement
On March 30, 2026, Cena posted on X (formerly Twitter) that he is headed to WrestleMania in Las Vegas. He said he is already on the “road” while filming a Netflix movie called “One Attempt Remaining,” and joked that the “Road to WrestleMania” fits his schedule.
Where and when
WrestleMania 42 will take place April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show will run over two nights. So far eight matches are announced for the event.
Matches and card highlights
Among the matches already announced are Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes, and a WWE Women’s Championship match between Jade Cargill and Rhea Ripley. Cena will serve as the host, not a competitor, which lets him keep a presence on the big show while he focuses on acting.
Where Cena left off in the ring
Cena officially retired from wrestling in December 2025. His last match was on December 13, 2025, at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C. That match ended with Cena tapping out to GUNTHER while smiling, a finish that left many fans talking.
There were rumors that Cena would be part of the 2026 Hall of Fame class, but that does not appear to be the case based on the current lineup. The announced Hall of Fame list includes AJ Styles, Stephanie McMahon, and Demolition in the main wing; Dennis Rodman in the celebrity wing; and Sid Eudy and “Bad News” Brown in the legacy wing.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| John Cena | Tapped out to GUNTHER (Dec 13, 2025) |
| GUNTHER | Defeated John Cena (Dec 13, 2025) |
Cena’s role as host gives him a clear spot on the biggest WWE show of the year while he works in Hollywood. Fans in Las Vegas can expect him to appear on the WrestleMania stage on April 18 and 19 at Allegiant Stadium.
