Dave Bautista Details Why He “Would Never” Emulate John Cena’s WWE Retirement Tour

Dave Bautista Details Why He "Would Never" Emulate John Cena's WWE Retirement Tour

As a fan who has witnessed the rise and fall of some truly legendary wrestlers, I must say that Dave Bautista‘s humility and grace never fail to impress me. Unlike his fellow Class of 2002 members, he chose a quiet exit from the ring, riding off into the sunset after his match with Triple H at WrestleMania 35. It was a far cry from the grandiose farewell tour John Cena is planning for 2025, but it seems that’s just how Dave rolls – no fanfare, no fuss, just pure class.


The esteemed Ohio Valley Wrestling Class of 2002, a group once comprised of Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, John Cena, and Dave Bautista, has seen its numbers dwindle significantly. Now, only Randy Orton remains as a full-time competitor, with the others taking different paths. Lesnar has been out of the ring for more than a year, leaving his future in wrestling uncertain. Cena is preparing for a year-long farewell tour starting in 2025, marking his retirement from the sport. Bautista, who wrestled full-time as Batista for WWE between 2002 and 2010, has officially retired from competition, having bid adieu following his match with mentor Triple H at WrestleMania 35 in April 2019. Unlike Cena’s grand retirement tour, Bautista’s departure was a quiet exit into the sunset.

Dave Bautista Discusses John Cena’s Upcoming Retirement

Dave Bautista Details Why He "Would Never" Emulate John Cena's WWE Retirement Tour

And a quiet swan song was all he ever wanted.

On the show Insight, Dave Bautista openly expressed his affection towards John Cena, clarifying that they share no off-screen animosity despite being formidable rivals within the WWE.

According to Bautista, he has a good relationship with John and holds him in high regard, perhaps even more so than others might assume. He believes that the perceived rivalry between them is largely exaggerated by the internet and fans, as there is actually very little conflict between them.

Regarding wrestling retirements, Bautista, who tends to be more reserved in public, mentioned that he wouldn’t be able to stage a grand finale like John Cena’s farewell tour as the conclusion of his wrestling career.

Bautista expressed that he and another individual have a distinct approach: “I simply wouldn’t engage in such activities; it doesn’t align with me.” He understands the other person’s intention to express gratitude to fans on a personal level, but feels uneasy about doing so himself. He mentioned feeling an inner discomfort that prevents him from following this path.

As a gamer, I find accolades awkwardly placed on my shoulders. I wasn’t built to be the charming face who’d dish out compliments just to get the crowd on my side. That’s not me. Don’t get me wrong, I admire and appreciate his work immensely, but we’re simply cut from different cloth when it comes to our approach.

Bautista retired from wrestling in April 2019, announcing on social media that his match against Triple H at WWE WrestleMania 35 was his last one. He is scheduled to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at a later time, contingent upon his filming schedule aligning with a future ceremony’s timing.

Bautista stated, “I followed my desired path as I left and retired. I prefer to keep things low-key about it, but here’s why: I announced my retirement on Instagram privately, and I had already decided to do so. I didn’t want people asking me to give a farewell speech or insisting that I return for one final appearance. It simply wouldn’t have felt genuine to me, and I wasn’t prepared to fake it.

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2024-09-10 23:09