John Cena’s WWE Absence Tied to ‘Matchbox’ Movie Filming in Budapest

BUDAPEST, Hungary — WWE superstar John Cena‘s absence from television ahead of the 2025 Royal Rumble has been linked to his filming commitments for the upcoming live-action movie ‘Matchbox‘ in Budapest, according to reports from wrestling journalist Mike Johnson.

Cena, who announced a year-long retirement tour starting with the January 6 Raw premiere on Netflix, has been noticeably absent from WWE programming despite confirming his participation in the Royal Rumble match on February 1. The 16-time world champion is currently in Hungary filming the movie, which is inspired by the iconic toy car brand.

The film is a collaboration between Skydance, Apple, and Mattel Films, the studio behind the blockbuster ‘Barbie‘ movie in 2023. Producers include Skydance’s David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger, alongside Robbie Brenner of Mattel Films.

Cena’s involvement in the project has limited his availability for WWE appearances, leaving fans wondering about his schedule during his retirement tour. The Royal Rumble, one of WWE’s most anticipated events, will mark Cena’s final appearance in the signature 30-man match.

While Cena has not publicly commented on his filming schedule, he recently reacted to a celebrity guest announcement for the Royal Rumble event. Details about the guest remain undisclosed.

As Cena balances his wrestling career and Hollywood commitments, fans await further updates on his WWE appearances leading up to his retirement.