John Cena felt "grateful disbelief and appreciation" after wrestling in his hometown for the last time

The 48-year-old actor - who grew up nearby in West Newbury, defeated Dominik Mysterio, 28, to win the Intercontinental Championship for the first time in his 23-year career.

Alongside a clip of him celebrating, he wrote on X: "Thank you Boston. It meant so much to be able, for one last time, to be allowed an opportunity to do what I love, in a place I love, surrounded by those I love.

"Our performances are only meaningful if YOU the audience invest in us and decide they are.

"The smile on my face and awe in my eyes in this small clip is an honest show of grateful disbelief and appreciation for all you've ever invested in me.

"Last night meant more than I can ever express. Thank you Boston."

Cena became a legend in professional wrestling before making the jump to Hollywood, and this year he has embarked on a farewell tour before his career comes to an end.

In July, a press release announcing a new deal between WWE and Peacock, NBC Sports confirmed: "Saturday Night's Main Event on Dec. 13 will feature John Cena in his retirement match."

Cena's final opponent is currently unknown, with a 16-man tournament being held on WWE programming to determine his last rival.

He previously admitted his age is one of the reasons he'll be retiring in four month's time.

He told PEOPLE magazine: "Age plays a factor. I'm not as strong or as fast as I used to be.

"I made a promise when I started gaining some notoriety that when I'm a step slower, I will go, because there will be kids just as hungry as I was who have earned a shot to see if they can make it."