Shawn Michaels on John Cena retiring from wrestling: “He’s doing this on his terms”

Michaels reflects on the retirement of an old rival

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On the Mount Rushmore of John Cena matches, one stands above all others.

Cena had a handful of significant singles matches against Shawn Michaels, yet none more spectacular than their bout on Raw in April of 2007. During a European tour in London, only weeks removed from their match against one another at WrestleMania 23, Cena wrote a critical chapter in his story against an all-time great.

The two combined to deliver an aggressive match full of psychology–and callbacks to their bout at WrestleMania–that highlighted how the 41-year-old Michaels was still a world class performer. It also further cemented the fact that Cena had blossomed into WWE’s undisputed ace.

“I was able to watch John get handed the mantle and run with it,” said Michaels. “And that was a special match for us. He showed a whole other level to his greatness.”

On his thirtieth birthday, Cena wrestled Michaels for 55 minutes. Though they had shared the ring together before, this was the match that forever secured Cena’s place with Michaels.