John Cena may have retired from in-ring competition this year, but hes still winning this time, as Pubitys 2025 Person of the Year.
In a fan-voted, single-elimination tournament hosted by Pubity, Cena defeated some of the worlds most prominent names to claim the top spot, including Cristiano Ronaldo, who he beat in the final round with 55% of the vote.
Other names in the bracket included Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sam Altman, Timothe Chalamet, and Lionel Messi, but Cena rolled through the competition like only he can. He advanced past Altman in the first round, eliminated Chalamet and Messi in subsequent rounds, and closed it out with a close win over Ronaldo in the finals.
The recognition comes just weeks after Cena wrestled his final match, tapping out to Gunther at Saturday Nights Main Event on December 13. In his first interview post-retirement, Cena explained the emotional significance behind the smile he wore as he submitted a full-circle moment in a career defined by resilience, humility, and connection with fans.
From wrestling icon to global role model, Cenas ability to stay relevant and respected across entertainment, philanthropy, and pop culture continues to set him apart.
Did John Cena deserve to beat out Cristiano Ronaldo, Taylor Swift, and Elon Musk? Or would you have picked someone else for Person of the Year? Drop your vote in the comments!
