[WATCH] CM Punk and Cody Rhodes pay tribute to John Cena, similar to latter and Batista did to Hulk Hogan

Overview

• After John Cena's retirement match against Gunther, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk handed over their world titles to the 17-time world champion
• It was similar to what Cena and Batista did to Hulk Hogan in August 2005 on Raw to honor his legacy
• Cena waved at the fans with both of the world title in his hands before closing his chapter

After John Cena's retirement match against Gunther, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk handed over their world titles to the 17-time world champion. It was similar to what Cena and Batista did to Hulk Hogan in August 2005 on Raw to honor his legacy. Cena waved at the fans with both of the world title in his hands before closing his chapter.

Watch CM Punk and Cody Rhodes paying tribute to John Cena here -

2005 — John Cena & Batista showing their respect and love by giving their world titles to the Immortal Late Hulk Hogan

2025 — Cody Rhodes & CM Punk showing their respect and love by giving their world titles to the GOAT John Cena for the final time

A Full Circle Moment . 👏🏼❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/4WVTfaw0fe

— Friendly Wrestling 🚀 (@WrestleFriendly) December 14, 2025

Hogan had teamed up with Cena and Batista in a triple threat match in August 2005 in Montreal on Raw. After the match, the duo handed over the world titles and allowed Hogan to celebrate with it. The 2-time WWE Hall of Famer waved it at the crowd with his music in the background.

Also Read: Triple H reveals reason behind having John Cena tap out in his retirement match

He later took out his 'Hollywood' belt and waved at the fans. A similar segment took place after Cena's retirement match against Gunther. Punk and Cody went inside the ring and had a message for the 47-year-old before handing over their world titles.

CM Punk and Cody Rhodes pay tribute to John Cena

Cena held on to it and remembered something for a moment. As he did not know what to do with it, Cody and Punk asked him to wave at the fans with the titles in his hand. Cena did exactly the same towards all directions in the arena, as the fans cheered to him.

Also Check: Explained: Reason behind John Cena's smile before tapping out in his retirement match

The segment acted as a 20-year challenge, as the trio pulled off what Batista and Cena did with Hogan in Montreal in 2005. It was a good way to end Cena's career, as Punk and Cody share history and friendship with Cena and will now be the one to take care of WWE in his absence.