Charlotte Flair says John Cena earned her ‘respect’ before WWE retirement

If you talk to WWE icon Charlotte Flair long enough, it’s clear to look up to the recently retired John Cenawho called it a career in the main event on Saturday night December 13, 2025.

During an wide profile with ClutchPointsFlair mentioned Cena several times. Speaking about his retirement, Flair admitted that “there will never be another John Cena.”

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned from watching his journey, it’s how completely committed he is to his craft and this job,” Flair raved. “Despite being arguably the greatest of all time, he was always approachable and never stopped making time for talent seeking advice.”

If there was one way Flair would want to be like Cena, it would be the respect he earned from his peers. He did it “through consistency, humility and giving everything back.”

Charlotte Flair and John Cena were on opposite paths at WWE 2025

For most of her career, Flair played heel. WWE tried to make her a babyface on several occasions, but she mostly remained a villain. Cena, meanwhile, has been the company’s leading face for more than two decades.

2025 would turn fan expectations on their heads, as Cena flipped in March and Flair became a favorite babyface, thanks to a partnership with Alexa Bliss.

Although they talked a lot during the year, Flair and Cena never acknowledged their contrasting character arcs. Still, Flair called Cena the “gold standard” of the industry. He also gave her the biggest piece of advice in 2025: “Don’t be perfect.”

“What he did with the Make-A-Wish kids, I still think will be one of the (most memorable) parts of his legacy, and he just said, like it was so easy. ‘Don’t be perfect.’ That’s just the way it is. He has a way of explaining things without overcomplicating them, and just listens to his advice. It’s not simple, but it’s like, That’s all?“

Cena also embodies his “Hustle, Loyalty, Respect” mantra outside of the ring. “He really lives by ‘Never Give Up’ and ‘Hustle, Loyalty, Respect,’ and when he sees that and sees where he’s at, he’s just the perfect blueprint for what we’re doing,” Flair praised.

Will Charlotte Flair have a John Cena-like retirement tour?

“It’s hard for Flair to sit back and actively envision her retirement. As she approaches 40, Flair knows the end of her career is probably closer than the beginning.

Not every WWE Superstar demands a send-off like the one Cena received, but Flair would deserve credit whenever she hangs up her boots.

Still, Flair has no idea when he’s going to retire. Earlier in our interview, Flair said, “I don’t have a timeline. She emphasized that she’s against ‘whatever the future holds for me.’

Fans will have to wait and see what the future holds for Flair. For now, he will continue his partnership with Alexa Bliss, who rejuvenated the “Queen’s” career.