In a landmark moment at WrestleMania 41, John Cena cemented his legacy as one of WWE’s all-time greats by defeating Cody Rhodes to claim the Undisputed WWE Championship. The victory marks Cena’s 17th world title reign, surpassing the legendary Ric Flair’s record of 16—an achievement that many believed would never be broken.

The high-stakes bout headlined Sunday night’s “Showcase of the Immortals” and delivered every ounce of intensity fans anticipated. Thirty minutes into the hard-fought battle, Cena secured the pinfall with an unexpected assist from music icon Travis Scott, sending shockwaves through the WWE Universe. The crowd roared as Cena raised the championship high, signaling a new era in wrestling history.

Cena’s pursuit of Rhodes began earlier this year, igniting at the Elimination Chamber when he aligned with longtime rival-turned-ally Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Their surprise team-up shook the WWE landscape and set the stage for the emotional clash at WrestleMania.

But Cena’s win was more than a title grab—it was a swan song. The 16-time champ had already declared his intention to retire in 2025, making this victory his final chapter in WrestleMania lore. In the lead-up to the match, he confronted Rhodes on the final SmackDown before the showdown, boldly stating, “Sunday is the last time I will ever compete in a WrestleMania ring.”

True to form, Cena didn’t hold back post-match. Addressing the crowd with raw emotion and signature bravado, he declared, “You people do not write history. Winners do.” He also reflected on the culture of retirement in professional wrestling, saying, “There’s no such thing as a wrestling retirement, because every other wrestler is a scared, insecure loser.”

Whether this marks a true goodbye or just a pause in an iconic career remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—John Cena has forever etched his name in the annals of sports entertainment. WrestleMania 41 wasn’t just a match; it was a legacy-defining moment for the man who turned “Never Give Up” into a generational rallying cry.