Sting praises John Cena and calls him "one of the greatest of all time"

John Cena's retirement is less than a week away and one of the most respected voices in the business has wanted to give him his blessing. Sting, an absolute icon currently in the final stretch of his career in AEW, spoke on Going Ringside about Cena's farewell and did not hesitate to show him his full support.

For Sting, the 17-time world champion leaves behind an incomparable legacy, and his transition out of the ring is more a cause for celebration than nostalgia. "Glory to John. He is one of the greatest of all time. I will be cheering him on. I hope it will be phenomenal. I'm sure it will be."

The Stinger added that he always encourages veterans who continue to defy expectations, comparing Cena's moment to athletes like Aaron Rodgers who keep pushing boundaries despite the passage of time.

It is worth noting that Sting shared the ring with John Cena on one occasion, in one of the few matches he had in WWE. He teamed up with Cena to face Big Show and Seth Rollins on Monday Night Raw. The match ended with a victory for the good guys, when Sting applied the Scorpion Deathlock on Rollins.

Beyond Cena, Sting opened the door to a deep reflection on his own career and the companies he has been through. After decades in WCW, TNA, and WWE, the legendary wrestler confessed that AEW was the place where he truly felt he belonged in this final stage.

"They are all different," he explained. "But what I liked about AEW is that I felt it was my brand. It just felt like home to me."

The wrestler also dedicated very special words to Tony Khan, whom he attributes his last and unexpected stage in the ring entirely. He described the AEW president as a leader who provided him with support, creative freedom, and exceptional treatment. "He was the best. He treated me like gold from start to finish. If it weren't for Tony, I wouldn't have had the run I had."

Sting, whose legacy spans multiple generations and companies, also revealed which rivalry definitively marked his career. When asked about his most important rivalry, he didn't hesitate for a moment: Ric Flair.

He recalled two key dates that changed his professional life. The first, in March 1988, when his draw at Clash of the Champions made him a star at the main event level. The second, in July 1990, when he finally defeated Flair to win his first world championship.

"He put me on the map," he declared. "March of '88 was my first title match and the one that launched me. And in July 1990, I won my first world title."

As Sting gradually says goodbye to the ring and Cena finishes his farewell tour, two legendary eras converge in a moment where both receive the recognition they deserve. The Stinger, who knows what it means to close a chapter, seems to be clear that Cena is doing it the right way: with respect, greatness, and a legacy already engraved in history.