Recent social media speculation suggesting that John Cena, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and AJ Styles have all retired from professional wrestling within a short timeframe is unfounded. As of July 2024, all three athletes remain active in their respective promotions, with no official announcements of retirement from any of them. This article clarifies the current status of each wrestler based on verified sources from WWE, New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and official athlete statements.
John Cena: Active Part-Time Performer in WWE
John Cena, the 16-time world champion, continues to appear sporadically for WWE despite his reduced in-ring schedule due to his Hollywood commitments. His most recent match occurred at WrestleMania 40 on April 6, 2024, where he teamed with Austin Theory to defeat Grayson Waller and Austin Theory in a tag team bout. WWE officially listed Cena as a participant in the event, confirming his ongoing status as a part-time performer. No retirement announcement has been issued by Cena or WWE as of July 2024.
WWE WrestleMania 40 Official Results
Hiroshi Tanahashi: Still Competing for NJPW
Hiroshi Tanahashi, often referred to as the “Ace of NJPW,” remains an active wrestler for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. His most recent appearance was at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall on June 9, 2024, where he lost the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to Tetsuya Naito in the main event. Tanahashi competed in the match and has since appeared on NJPW programming, including NJPW Strong episodes in July 2024. NJPW has not announced any retirement plans for Tanahashi, who continues to work under a full-time contract.
NJPW Dominion 6.9 Official Results
AJ Styles: Active WWE Veteran with No Retirement Plans
AJ Styles, the former WWE Champion and Grand Slam winner, continues to perform regularly on WWE programming. His most recent match took place on the July 1, 2024 episode of WWE Raw, where he competed in a fatal four-way match for the Intercontinental Championship against Ilja Dragunov, JD McDonagh, and Samoa Joe. Styles has not indicated any intention to retire, and WWE has not listed him among retired athletes. In a June 2024 interview with Sports Illustrated, Styles stated he feels physically capable of continuing at a high level and enjoys his role as a veteran performer.
Sports Illustrated: AJ Styles Interview (June 2024)
Origin of the Retirement Rumors
The false retirement claims appear to have originated from a misleading social media post that conflated the athletes’ reduced schedules or temporary absences with permanent departure from the sport. John Cena’s part-time status, Tanahashi’s championship loss, and Styles’ frequent appearances in mid-card storylines may have been misinterpreted by some fans as signs of retirement. Still, none of the three have issued any formal retirement notices, and their promotions continue to feature them as active competitors.
Key Takeaways
- John Cena, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and AJ Styles are all still active in professional wrestling as of July 2024.
- Each has competed in official matches within the past two months, verified by event results.
- No retirement announcements have been made by the athletes or their promotions (WWE, NJPW).
- The rumors likely stem from misinterpretation of reduced schedules or storyline developments.
- Fans should rely on official sources such as WWE.com, NJPW.co.jp, and athlete interviews for accurate updates.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Each Wrestler?
John Cena is expected to appear at select WWE events through the remainder of 2024, potentially including SummerSlam in August. Hiroshi Tanahashi is slated to compete in NJPW’s G1 Climax tournament beginning in July, where he will seek to regain his place among the promotion’s elite. AJ Styles continues to be featured in WWE’s Intercontinental Championship picture and may pursue another title run later in the year. All three remain integral to their promotions’ current and future plans.