John Cena is about to swap the ring for the red carpet for good, but not before one final slam-down in Australia. The WWE icon and Hollywood actor is bringing his farewell tour to Perth later this year, marking the last time Australians will see him in a WWE ring. And it’s not just a cameo—it’s a three-day wrestling takeover of RAC Arena, set to be a long weekend of powerbombs, suplexes and signature Cena moves.
Friday Night SmackDown kicks things off, followed by a Premium Live Event on Saturday and wrapping with Monday Night RAW. The full weekend schedule is exclusive to Perth and will beam out to a global audience via Netflix, cementing the city’s status as a go-to for high-voltage international entertainment.
WWE’s return to Western Australia might have fans dusting off their replica belts and practising their entrance moves, but the buzz stretches well beyond wrestling circles. John Cena’s appearance was announced during WrestleMania in Las Vegas—hardly a low-key reveal—and broadcast worldwide to a gigantic audience. That kind of spotlight, especially through a streaming platform with Netflix’s reach, lands Perth in conversations way beyond its usual tourist brochures.
This will be the only WWE broadcast event in 2025 across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia, making it the sole shot for fans across this side of the globe to witness a major WWE show live. It also signals a repeat of the successful playbook that worked wonders last year. When WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth landed in 2024, it pulled over 18,000 visitors from outside the state and generated more than $36 million for the Western Australian economy. The event broke records for attendance, viewership and earnings, and proved there’s no shortage of wrestling fans ready to travel for the spectacle.
Tourism Minister Reece Whitby sees Cena’s visit as a hefty win. It’s not just about the nostalgia of Cena’s final run or the global stream views; it’s about positioning Western Australia as a destination for major international events. And with Cena known for his catchphrase, “You can’t see me,” this farewell appearance adds a little irony for the fans who absolutely will—for the last time—see him live in the ring on Aussie soil.
The timing couldn’t be better for Perth’s tourism and hospitality sectors. With thousands expected to fly in for the weekend of WWE action, local businesses are already anticipating a major boost. Hotels, restaurants, and bars are likely to be humming, and the international exposure through Netflix could bring future travellers curious to see what else Perth has to offer beyond body slams and elbow drops.
Sport and Recreation Minister Rita Saffioti added her take, calling it another feather in the state’s event-hosting cap. The return of a global brand like WWE—and a megastar like Cena—reinforces what’s already been building: a reputation for delivering events that tick all the boxes, from scale to spectacle. RAC Arena and Optus Stadium aren’t just background sets for these spectacles; they’re part of what brings organisers back. Built to handle crowds and media demands alike, Perth’s facilities are playing a starring role alongside the performers.
Cena himself has built a legacy that extends far beyond wrestling. A 16-time world champion, he’s been in the business for over two decades and transformed from a charismatic ring presence to a leading man in action-packed blockbusters. His crossover appeal brings in a broader audience, including movie buffs who may never have seen a wrestling match but have followed his on-screen heroics.
This farewell tour is bound to have emotional moments, especially for long-time fans. Cena’s been a fixture of wrestling for a generation, and his in-ring retirement signals the end of an era. He’s played the hero, the antagonist, and sometimes both in one match, but his contribution to the WWE brand is hard to overstate. His departure leaves big boots to fill, both literally and figuratively.
The Perth event, still shrouded in a bit of mystery, promises more details in the coming weeks. But if the scale of last year’s WWE spectacle is anything to go by, fans can expect high drama, surprise returns, and a line-up that mixes current champions with Cena’s parting performance. WWE has a knack for throwing in last-minute twists, and this being a farewell, don’t be surprised if there’s a nostalgic nod or two to iconic matches from Cena’s past.
For now, the excitement builds. The combination of nostalgia, international exposure, and live-action energy makes the WWE takeover of Perth one of the most talked-about events on the state’s calendar. With Cena as the headline act, the city’s set for a full-throttle few days that won’t be forgotten quickly. Wrestling fans, mark your calendars—the countdown has begun, and Cena’s final Australian in-ring chapter is about to be written in Perth.
Registrations for event updates are already open, and those keen on securing tickets or staying in the loop can head to wwe.com/WWEAustralia2025. If last year’s demand is anything to go by, the rush will be real once ticket sales open.
This event is a send-off. Cena’s farewell may bring the curtain down on his WWE career, but for Perth, it’s another notch in a growing list of international attractions putting the city on centre stage. And whether you’re ringside or watching on Netflix, you’ll be witnessing the end of an era with a local postcode.
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🤼 @JohnCena's @WWE farewell tour hits #Perth in 2025 for 3-day event (Fri-Sun) – his last Aussie ring appearance. 💰 Expected to surpass 2024's $36M economic boost & 18k+ visitors. 🌏 Exclusive ANZ/SE Asia broadcast via Netflix. #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/bz3u4E2cZn
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) April 23, 2025
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