John Cena’s Farewell Tribute Features Tom Brady’s Playful Jab

As John Cena prepares for his final match with the WWE on March 16, 2024, the organization honored him with a tribute video during SmackDown. The video included heartfelt messages from various celebrities, including prominent NFL stars such as Tom Brady and Eli Manning. While Brady’s tribute was commendable, it also contained a playful jab at his former rival and fellow sports icon.

Brady, the legendary quarterback who won seven Super Bowls, recognized Cena’s impact both in and out of the wrestling ring. He stated, “Congratulations on an incredible career. You’ve impacted the lives of so many people inside the ring and outside the ring. Good luck in your last match; I hope you fare better in yours than I did in mine.” Following his retirement from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he secured his seventh title, Brady has transitioned to a commentator role with Fox Sports, where he covers major NFL games.

Eli Manning, a two-time Super Bowl champion, also paid tribute to Cena but took the opportunity to inject some humor into his message. Manning praised Cena’s accomplishments but cleverly noted, “You inspired so many people. You won a ton of championships. Almost impressive for me to forget the fact that you’re a diehard Patriots fan. But, hey, nobody’s perfect, including the ’07 Patriots.” This remark not only referred to Cena’s roots in Massachusetts and his support for the New England Patriots but also highlighted Manning’s historic victory over Brady’s team in Super Bowl XLII. That game, played in 2008, marked a significant moment in NFL history, as the Patriots were aiming for a perfect season, only to be thwarted by the Giants in a nail-biting 17-14 finish.

Cena recently achieved a career milestone by capturing the last championship he had yet to win, defeating Dominik Mysterio at a Raw event in his hometown of Boston last month. This victory made him a grand slam champion, a rare achievement in the WWE. Additionally, Cena has set the record for the most major championship wins in WWE history, surpassing the legendary Ric Flair.

As Cena readies himself for his final showdown against Gunther at “Saturday Night’s Main Event,” which will stream live on Peacock at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, fans anticipate an emotional farewell from one of the sport’s most beloved figures. The tribute from Brady and Manning serves as a testament to Cena’s enduring legacy, not only in wrestling but also in the broader realm of sports and entertainment.

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