In the final match of his legendary WWE career, John Cena was defeated by Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C.
John Cena Pushed Himself to the Limit
Cena left everything in the ring during his last WWE appearance, pushing himself to the limit one final time. In the closing moments, however, Gunther secured a sleeper hold, forcing Cena to tap out and bringing an era to a definitive end. Last year, Cena announced that 2025 would mark his final year as an active professional wrestler, and over the past 12 months, the path toward his retirement match steadily took shape.
That journey culminated in the creation of the Last Time Is Now tournament, a 16-man competition designed to determine who would earn the honor of facing Cena in the final match of his career. The tournament featured talent from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, along with a handful of surprise entrants from outside WWE, including Zack Ryder and Dolph Ziggler.
Gunther and LA Knight ultimately emerged as the finalists. Gunther earned his spot by defeating Je’Von Evans, Carmelo Hayes, and Solo Sikoa in successive rounds, while Knight advanced past Ryder, The Miz, and Jey Uso.
The finals took place on the December 5 episode of SmackDown, where Gunther and Knight battled for the opportunity of a lifetime. Gunther emerged victorious, officially setting the stage for his historic clash with Cena.
Cena Debuted Back in 2002
Cena first debuted on WWE’s main roster in 2002 and spent the next 23 years establishing himself as one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling history. His 17 world championship reigns remain an all-time record, and his résumé places him firmly alongside legends such as Hulk Hogan, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and The Rock.
Saturday Night’s Main Event served as both a farewell and a celebration—an opportunity for fans to witness Cena perform on WWE television one final time. While Cena’s career was defined by dominance and longevity, his later years were marked by a willingness to elevate the next generation.
In that spirit, Cena’s final act was fitting. By putting Gunther over on his way out, he passed the torch to a new standard-bearer, closing his career the same way he spent it: by helping define the future of WWE.
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