WWE superstar John Cena retires from wrestling

John Cena, the 17-time WWE World Champion and one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling, officially retired from in-ring competition on December 13, 2025, following his final bout at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C.

Cena, known for his ruthless aggression and unparalleled fan connection, tapped out to a sleeper hold after a grueling 24-minute match with rising Austrian superstar Gunther, a contest that elevated Gunther as a dominant force in sports entertainment while marking a poignant farewell for Cena.

The legendary wrestler first announced his retirement plan in July 2024 during the Money in the Bank Premium Live Event, embarking on a year-long farewell tour that celebrated his illustrious 26-year career.

Cena has long been recognized as a global ambassador for WWE, with a strong following in Saudi Arabia, where he competed in major events such as the Greatest Royal Rumble (2018), Crown Jewel (2023), and the Night of Champions (2025). His performances helped solidify WWE’s partnership with the General Entertainment Authority and the expansion of marquee events outside North America, including Royal Rumble 2026 and WrestleMania 43 in 2027.

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Since debuting in 2002 against Kurt Angle on SmackDown, Cena accumulated an impressive record: 17 WWE World Championship reigns, headlining WrestleMania six times, and winning prestigious accolades such as two Royal Rumbles, one Money in the Bank, and 10 Slammy Awards. He is also a Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion, with multiple tag team and singles championships across his career.

Beyond wrestling, Cena has cultivated a successful acting career, starring in films like Trainwreck, Blockers, Bumblebee, F9, and The Suicide Squad as Peacemaker, which led to an HBO Max spin-off series. He is also celebrated for his philanthropy, holding the record for the most Make-A-Wish Foundation wishes granted, exceeding 650 wishes.

Cena’s retirement marks the end of an era for WWE, leaving behind a legacy of championship triumphs, global influence, and contributions to both sports entertainment and charitable causes. His career continues to inspire aspiring wrestlers and fans worldwide.

WWE superstar John Cena retires from wrestling

FIFA Introduces $60 “Supporter Entry Tier” Tickets Amid 2026 World Cup Pricing Backlash

FIFA has unveiled a new cut-price ticket category for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, following widespread backlash from fans over the tournament’s high ticket prices.

The global football governing body announced the creation of a limited “Supporter Entry Tier”, priced at $60 (51 euros) for all 104 matches, including the final. The tickets are reserved for fans of qualified national teams and constitute 10 percent of each federation’s allocation, aiming to make the event more accessible to traveling supporters.

Fan group Football Supporters Europe (FSE) welcomed the move but criticized FIFA for offering too few tickets, describing it as an “appeasement tactic”. FSE highlighted that most fans would still face extortionate prices, with the cost to follow a team from the first match to the final potentially reaching $6,900—almost five times higher than the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

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Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer also weighed in, stating that FIFA’s new pricing did not go far enough to support genuine football supporters, urging the organisation to make tickets more affordable.

FIFA said the $60 tickets are to be allocated specifically to loyal fans closely connected to national teams, and refunds will have administrative fees waived for knockout-round tickets if a fan’s team is eliminated early.

The announcement comes amid extraordinary global demand for tickets, with 20 million requests already submitted. The first round of ticket sales draws is scheduled for Tuesday, January 13, 2026.

The move highlights FIFA’s efforts to balance fan accessibility with high demand for the 2026 World Cup, while continuing to face scrutiny over ticket affordability and supporter inclusion, including provisions for fans with disabilities.

FIFA Introduces $60 “Supporter Entry Tier” Tickets Amid 2026 World Cup Pricing Backlash

French Court Orders PSG to Pay Mbappé €60m in Unpaid Wages, Bonuses

A French court has ordered Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to pay former star striker Kylian Mbappe €60 million (£52.5 million) in outstanding wages and bonuses, bringing partial closure to a prolonged legal dispute between the player and the club.

The ruling, delivered by a Paris labour court, followed Mbappe’s claim for €263 million over alleged contract breaches and mistreatment, while PSG had filed a counter-claim of €240 million against the France captain.

In its decision, the court held that PSG failed to pay three months of Mbappe’s salary between April and June 2024, in addition to contractual signing and ethics bonuses, awarding the 26-year-old forward slightly more than one-fifth of the amount he originally sought.

Most of the compensation relates to bonuses rather than basic salary, according to sources close to the case. In May, €55 million in PSG’s accounts had been frozen at the request of Mbappe’s legal team pending the court’s ruling.

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“We are satisfied with this ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid,” Mbappe’s lawyer, Frédérique Cassereau, said, adding that the judgment reaffirmed that labour law applies equally in professional football.

PSG said it would comply with the ruling but reserved the right to appeal, insisting it had acted in good faith throughout the dispute. The club also reiterated its claim for compensation over Mbappe’s failed €300 million transfer to Saudi club Al-Hilal in 2023, before the forward eventually joined Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2024.

The legal battle stemmed from Mbappe’s refusal to extend his PSG contract and his decision to reject a move to the Saudi Pro League, which strained relations with the French champions. The dispute saw Mbappe sidelined during part of the 2023-24 season, a move PSG said followed an agreement to waive certain end-of-contract payments — a claim strongly denied by the player’s representatives.

Mbappe spent seven seasons at PSG between 2017 and 2024, winning 15 trophies and becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 256 goals in 308 appearances, including 44 goals in his final season.

The ruling marks a significant moment in one of football’s most high-profile contract disputes, underlining the legal obligations clubs face in player compensation agreements.

French Court Orders PSG to Pay Mbappé €60m in Unpaid Wages, Bonuses