Photos: WWE fans celebrate wrestling superstar John Cena

September 6, 2025 by Chicago Tribune

Wrestling fans say thank you and farewell to John Cena at his final Chicago-area match during the WWE Friday Night Smackdown show at Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont.

Fans cheer on John Cena during his final Chicago appearance at the WWE Smackdown show at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

WWE wrestler John Cena is greeted by fans as he enters the Allstate Arena for his final Chicago appearance at the WWE Smackdown show on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

With his championship belt over his shoulder, Roman Ayala, 8, of Rockford, walks with his family before John Cena's final match in Chicago at WWE Smackdown held at Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune) — With his championship belt over his shoulder, Roman Ayala, 8, of Rockford, walks with his family before John Cena’s final match in Chicago at WWE Smackdown held at Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

Wrestling fans flood the Allstate Arena for John Cena's final Chicago appearance during the WWE Smackdown show at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune) — Wrestling fans flood the Allstate Arena for John Cena’s final Chicago appearance during the WWE Smackdown show at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena fan, Diego Ortega, 16, of Chicago, poses for a photos after Cena's final appearance in Chicago during the WWE Smackdown show at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune) — John Cena fan, Diego Ortega, 16, of Chicago, poses for a photos after Cena’s final appearance in Chicago during the WWE Smackdown show at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena during his match against United States champion Sami Zayn during his final appearance in Chicago at the WWE Smackdown show at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena catches his breath as he battles United States champion Sami Zayn during his match at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena fan, Yasin Joudeh, 6, of Orland Park, takes in the action during the WWE Smackdown show at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena greets a full house at the Allstate Arena during his final Chicago appearance on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

Fans cheer on John Cena during his final Chicago appearance at the WWE Smackdown show held at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena salutes before taking on United States champion Sami Zayn during the WWE Smackdown at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena battles United States champion Sami Zayn during his final match in Chicago at the WWE Smackdown show at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena attempts to pin United States champion Sami Zayn during his final appearance in Chicago at the WWE Smackdown at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena greets his fans from the ring during his final Chicago appearance at the WWE Smackdown at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

John Cena's merchandise for sale outside the Allstate Arena before his final appearance in Chicago at the WWE Smackdown show on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune) — John Cena’s merchandise for sale outside the Allstate Arena before his final appearance in Chicago at the WWE Smackdown show on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

Wrestling fans Alonzo Garduno, 13, Thiago Garduno, 11, and Jose Hernandez, 11, all from Crown Point, Indiana, pose for a photo after John Cena's final Chicago appearance at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune) — Wrestling fans Alonzo Garduno, 13, Thiago Garduno, 11, and Jose Hernandez, 11, all from Crown Point, Indiana, pose for a photo after John Cena’s final Chicago appearance at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)

A John Cena fan poses for a photo before his final appearance at the WWE Smackdown show at the Allstate Arena on Sept. 5, 2025, in Rosemont. (John Konstantaras/for the Chicago Tribune)