A final bow: John Cena’s in-ring career reaches its conclusion in a high-stakes showdown against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Cena’s long WWE run ended with a defeat to Gunther in the event’s main match, held December 13 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. After weathering Gunther’s sleeper hold on multiple occasions, Cena ultimately tapped out, signaling the end of his competitive tenure. Gunther stated his aim was to force Cena to give up.
The contest swung back and forth for the vast majority of the night. Cena delivered three Attitude Adjustments to Gunther, including one from the top rope, yet failed to secure a decisive pin after any of them. He even drove Gunther through the announce table with a signature move.
WWE treated the episode as a true spectacle, lining the broadcast with celebrity appearances and a display of legendary presence in the crowd. Notables like Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Trish Stratus, Eve Torres, and others were shown throughout the show.
Tributes to Cena filled the night, featuring messages from wrestling icons such as The Undertaker and The Rock, as well as athletes from other sports including Jalen Brunson and Tom Brady.
Gunther entered first, followed by Cena. A pre-match crowd chant of “let’s go Cena” emerged, but the familiar “Cena sucks” refrain was notably absent this time around.
Cena bid farewell to WWE fans, while the arena roared with appreciation as he stepped through the curtain. In a poignant moment, he grabbed a production crew member’s camera and captured his own post-entry sprint down the ramp before addressing the crowd.
Before the bell, Cena paused to acknowledge the legends seated ringside—names like Trish Stratus, Sami Zayn, RVD, and Kevin Owens among them.
After the match, Cena remained in the ring, reflecting, “That’s all I got.” Although an initial wave of frustration ran through the crowd, they soon rose to applaud him. Several locker-room stars came forward to join Cena in the ring, and CM Punk and Cody Rhodes presented him with their belts as fans chanted their appreciation.
Cena lifted the championship belts to the audience, shared a hug with Triple H, and then a tribute video flashed across the arena screen. He saluted the crowd one final time as he made his way up the ramp.
Curiosity about Cena’s legacy and what lies ahead for him—and for WWE—persists. What do you think Cena’s retirement means for the industry, and how should the company honor a figure who shaped two generations of fans? Share your thoughts in the comments.
