Tag: John Cena

Backstage News On The Reaction To John Cena’s Final Match

WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event delivered a historic night inside the Capital One Arena, and new backstage details are shedding light on how the company reacted to John Cena’s final match — both emotionally and creatively.

According to behind-the-scenes reports, Cena made a point to linger after the show wrapped, spending time saying his goodbyes and taking photos with WWE personnel. The moment clearly resonated throughout the locker room, as several top stars — including Bayley and CM Punk — were spotted watching Cena’s match from the crowd rather than backstage.

Despite inevitable speculation, WWE officials are reportedly firm that Cena is done competing in the ring. There are no plans to ask him to wrestle again, though that doesn’t mean fans have seen the last of him entirely. Cena is expected to remain connected to WWE in some capacity, both on-screen and behind the scenes, although specifics haven’t been finalized.

Mixed Feelings, No Backstage Fallout

The finish of Cena’s final match sparked plenty of discussion internally. While some talent would have preferred to see Cena go out with a victory, most understood the long-term direction involving Gunther, who emerged from the night with massive heat. Creative and booking personnel were largely supportive of the decision, and importantly, sources stressed that no one backstage was upset about the outcome.

That heat was very real. Gunther reportedly drew such a strong reaction that security had to escort him out of the arena, with fans following closely behind. The response only reinforced WWE’s belief in him as a top-level antagonist moving forward.

Triple H’s Reaction and Unplanned Emotion

One of the more notable details from the night involved Triple H, who was said to be visibly pleased with how things played out. Those in Gorilla Position noted he was smiling after the finish — the same expression fans saw on camera, even as he was being loudly booed by the crowd.

The show also featured several moments that weren’t originally on the rundown. An emotional ringside interview with Cody Rhodes, along with some post-match in-ring interactions, reportedly came together organically and added to the authenticity of the night.

Business Is Booming

From a business perspective, the event was a major win. A source connected to NBCUniversal claimed the buzz surrounding Saturday Night’s Main Event was stronger than anything they’ve seen on Peacock outside of WrestleMania — a significant endorsement of WWE’s current momentum.

As for Cena, while his in-ring career appears to be officially over, his presence still looms large. Whether it’s a cameo, a special appearance, or something entirely different, WWE clearly isn’t closing the door on him — they’re just making sure his final match truly stays final.

John Cena Says Goodbye As GUNTHER Forces Tap Out In Emotional WWE SNME, WWE Says Thank You To John Cena

John Cena’s legendary in-ring career officially came to an end on Saturday night, and it happened in dramatic fashion at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event. In the show’s main event, GUNTHER defeated Cena by submission, forcing the 16-time world champion to tap out in what WWE billed as Cena’s final match.

The bout was presented as a physical war from the opening bell. GUNTHER immediately imposed his will, blasting Cena with brutal chops and methodically wearing him down while the crowd loudly voiced their displeasure. Cena weathered the storm and rallied with his familiar comeback, connecting with shoulder tackles, a side slam, and the Five Knuckle Shuffle before transitioning into the STF. GUNTHER escaped, however, and responded with a shotgun dropkick and a powerbomb.

Rather than go for a pin, GUNTHER made his intentions clear. He repeatedly instructed the referee to ask Cena if he wanted to quit, even after landing a series of stiff lariats. GUNTHER refused to win Cena’s final match by anything other than submission.

Cena continued to fight back, landing another Five Knuckle Shuffle and an Attitude Adjustment for a near fall. The two traded sleeper holds, spilled to the floor, and battered each other around ringside. One of the biggest moments came when GUNTHER attempted to powerbomb Cena through the announcer’s desk, only for Cena to counter and send GUNTHER crashing through it instead.

Back in the ring, Cena came agonizingly close to victory multiple times, including after a top-rope leg drop and an avalanche Attitude Adjustment, but GUNTHER simply would not stay down. The Ring General answered with powerbombs, a frog splash, and finally locked in his sleeper hold once more. Cena briefly countered into another AA, but GUNTHER immediately re-applied the hold. With nowhere left to go, Cena tapped out.

Following the bell, the focus shifted from defeat to celebration. Cena stood alone in the ring and took a bow as WWE royalty filled the entranceway. Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, and numerous members of the locker room joined him. Rhodes and Punk draped their Undisputed WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championship over Cena’s shoulders, while both men took a knee in a powerful show of respect.

Triple H embraced Cena before directing attention to the screen, where a career-spanning video package played, highlighting Cena’s iconic moments and unmatched legacy. Cena saluted the crowd, took one final bow, and left his gear in the center of the ring. “It’s been a pleasure serving you, all these years. Thank you,” he said. As he walked up the aisle for the last time, the live audience gave him a thunderous ovation.

Win or lose, John Cena left WWE the same way he defined his career — earning respect, telling a story, and proving that his legacy will never be forgotten.

WWE SNME ‘The Last Time Is Now’ – John Cena’s Final Match 12/13/2025

John Cena has his final match of his career tonight at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event tonight airing live on Peacock at 8pm ET from the Capital One Arena in Washington, DC.

  • John Cena’s Final Match – “The Last Time Is Now”: John Cena vs. Gunther
  • World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans & TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater
  • NXT Champion Oba Femi vs. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
  • Bayley vs. Sol Ruca

John Cena Signed 5-Year WWE Ambassador Deal Ahead Of In-Ring Retirement

John Cena may be stepping away from the ring on December 13, but he’s not stepping away from WWE. In fact, the 16-time world champion has already locked in his next chapter with the company.

During a sit-down interview with Tom Rinaldi, Cena revealed that he’s officially signed a five-year deal to serve as a WWE ambassador — a role that will keep him closely tied to the brand long after his final match. According to Cena, the decision was an easy one.

“I will be an ambassador to WWE. I’m already signed on for another five years… I would like to be in this family as an employee, as a contributing part for as long as I can.”

While he made it clear that his days as an active performer are coming to a close, Cena said he’s eager to give back in new ways. Behind-the-scenes mentorship seems to be high on his list, as he talked about helping talent tap into their real personalities — much like he did when the now-famous “Doctor of Thuganomics” freestyle persona first emerged on a bus ride during his early days in WWE.

“It’s not my time to perform anymore… I have a bunch of strengths and gifts that I can pass on… Maybe mentorship to talent I wouldn’t spend time with… I’m looking forward to that stuff.”

Cena’s ambassador role likely means more media appearances, outreach efforts, and involvement in WWE initiatives — essentially using his global name recognition to continue pushing the company forward.

But before that next phase begins, Cena still has one last fight to finish.

WWE has confirmed that his final match will take place at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Cena will go one-on-one with the “Ring General” GUNTHER. The showdown marks the end of an iconic in-ring career, but clearly not the end of Cena’s WWE journey.

Expect Cena to remain a major presence — just in a whole new way.

Report: John Cena Expected To Headline 2026 WWE Hall of Fame Class Alongside Stephanie McMahon

We’re still months away from WrestleMania season, but the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame conversation is already heating up—much earlier than usual. Stephanie McMahon was announced back in September as the first official inductee, and for a while she seemed like the obvious headliner. But according to the latest backstage buzz, she may be sharing that spotlight with one of WWE’s most iconic names.

On Wrestling Observer Radio, Bryan Alvarez revealed that chatter behind the scenes at Monday’s WWE Raw pointed toward John Cena being lined up as the marquee inductee for the 2026 class. While nothing is confirmed, Alvarez noted that the idea was circulating heavily among those backstage.

“As of Monday night, the belief is the headliner would be John Cena,” Alvarez said. “Maybe things change, but that was certainly the discussion. With Stephanie already announced, Cena and Stephanie would be the two biggest names if that’s what ends up happening.”

If this comes together, the induction would take place during WrestleMania weekend in 2026—and honestly, the timing couldn’t be more fitting.

Cena’s Hall of Fame case has been locked in for years. Between his unprecedented run as WWE’s franchise star for two decades, his crossover success in mainstream entertainment, and his still-strong relationship with the company, it was always just a matter of when WWE would pull the trigger.

Now the “when” lines up perfectly with Cena’s current farewell tour. He’s set to wrestle his final match on the December 13 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C., officially closing the in-ring chapter of his career. Having him headline the Hall of Fame just a few months later would tie his retirement story together in classic WWE fashion.

If Cena is indeed added to the 2026 class, WWE will be stacking WrestleMania weekend with two of the most influential figures of the last 25 years—one a trailblazing executive, the other the face of an entire era.

We’ll keep you updated as WWE begins rolling out official announcements for the 2026 Hall of Fame.

John Cena Announces “The Last Time Is Now” Tournament To Decide His Final Opponent

The Last Time Is Now Tournament to determine John Cena’s last ever opponent at next months SNME was announced.

John Cena might not have stepped foot in the ring at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake City, but the 16-time world champion made headlines anyway — dropping a major bombshell via video message that sets the stage for his in-ring farewell.

For weeks, fans have been speculating who would share the ring with Cena one last time when he wrestles his final match this December on Peacock. But in classic Cena fashion, the veteran threw everyone a curveball: he won’t be choosing his last opponent himself. Instead, a new tournament called “The Last Time Is Now” will determine who earns the honor.

According to Cena, 16 competitors will enter the bracket, with names being drawn from across Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and — intriguingly — even outside WWE. That last tease immediately got fans buzzing, given WWE’s recent working relationship with TNA. Could we see a crossover appearance from someone like a TNA standout? Cena didn’t confirm anything, but he certainly left the door wide open.

During the video, clips flashed across the screen featuring several potential entrants, including GUNTHER, Carmelo Hayes, Dominik Mysterio, Bronson Reed, and even AEW’s Penta El Zero Miedo — suggesting the possibilities might go well beyond WWE’s walls.

The tournament kicks off on the November 10 edition of Monday Night Raw — fittingly taking place in Cena’s hometown of Boston, Massachusetts. WWE is already billing that episode as Cena’s final appearance in the city that helped make him a star.

Cena’s farewell match will then headline Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., marking what’s expected to be an emotional end to one of the most storied careers in wrestling history.

Whether his final opponent ends up being a long-time rival or a rising star, “The Last Time Is Now” promises to be a celebration of Cena’s legacy — and one final showcase of the man who truly made the WWE Universe never give up.

John Cena’s Final Match Officially Set for Washington, D.C. – SNME

The time and place are finally official—John Cena’s last match will go down in the nation’s capital. WWE confirmed Tuesday that Cena’s farewell bout is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

The announcement puts to rest months of speculation. While many fans expected Cena’s final chapter to be written in Boston, near his hometown of West Newbury, Massachusetts, the venue shift had been rumored since early September. According to reports, D.C. landed the event after offering a sizable site fee, similar to the $7 million New Jersey paid for this year’s historic two-night SummerSlam.

Tickets and Fan Experiences

Tickets for Saturday Night’s Main Event officially go on sale October 17 at 10 a.m. EST via Ticketmaster, with a presale opportunity starting October 15 for registered fans. Premium passes through On Location will also be available, giving diehard fans the chance to sit ringside for Cena’s last outing, enjoy all-inclusive pre-show hospitality, and mingle with WWE stars.

If you can’t make it to D.C., the show will stream live on Peacock, bringing Cena’s farewell to viewers around the world.

More WWE in the Capital

WWE is going all-out with the weekend festivities. On December 12, fans can catch a live edition of “Six Feet Under with The Undertaker” at The Howard Theatre. Meanwhile, The Gallery Space DC will transform into a WWE Superstore, packed with exclusive merchandise celebrating Cena’s final match.

Cena’s Farewell Tour Rolls On

Before his career curtain call, Cena still has five stops left on his farewell tour. His next big match is set for Crown Jewel in Perth, Australia on October 11, where he’ll face off against longtime rival AJ Styles.

The Capital One Arena showdown marks the end of an era. Cena has been the face of WWE for more than two decades, and his final match promises to be a historic night both for fans in attendance and those tuning in from home.

John Cena’s Retirement Match Officially Set for Washington, D.C. — Boston & MSG Appearances Confirmed

The pieces are finally falling into place for John Cena’s farewell run in WWE. After weeks of speculation, it’s now confirmed that Cena’s retirement match will not be in his hometown of Boston, but instead will take place in Washington, D.C.

According to WrestleVotes and later confirmed by F4WOnline, the 16-time World Champion will wrestle his last match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th inside the Capital One Arena.

While Boston won’t get the honor of hosting the retirement bout, the city will still play an important role in Cena’s sendoff. The Boston Herald reports that Cena’s final Boston appearance is scheduled for the November 10th episode of Monday Night Raw at TD Garden. Just one week later, he’ll make his last Madison Square Garden appearance on the November 17th Raw, according to the New York Post.

Interestingly, Boston had been heavily pushing to host Cena’s official farewell match. Jon Alba of The Takedown on Sports Illustrated noted that WWE asked the city to help cover event costs — something not typically requested in the past. Ultimately, it seems that hurdle kept the match from taking place in Cena’s backyard.

With his retirement match now locked in for D.C., and farewell stops in two of his most iconic wrestling cities, Cena’s final chapter is shaping up to be an emotional ride for fans who have followed his two-decade career.

Backstage Insight on Why WWE Dropped John Cena’s Heel Run

John Cena’s dramatic heel turn at WrestleMania 41 had fans buzzing, but just a few months later, the 17-time world champion is once again flashing that trademark smile. Now we’re learning more about why WWE scrapped his villainous persona—and what it means for his final run.

On a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez broke down the decision to pivot Cena back to a babyface. According to Meltzer, WWE “dropped [the heel story] because it sucked,” but also because a feud with Brock Lesnar—now in motion—makes far more sense with Cena as the fan favorite and Lesnar playing the monster heel. Alvarez added that Cena simply performs better in the ring and connects more naturally with the audience when he’s playing the hero.

Cena’s return to the light officially happened on SmackDown, when he cut a passionate promo alongside Cody Rhodes, setting the tone for a more heartfelt run. That momentum carried into SummerSlam 2025, where Cena came up short against Rhodes in a hard-fought battle for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The real shocker came moments later, when Brock Lesnar made a surprise return and dropped Cena with a brutal F5—immediately launching what’s expected to be Cena’s final major rivalry.

During the post-show press conference, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque revealed that Lesnar’s comeback wasn’t just a creative decision—it was personally requested by Cena. As part of his retirement tour, Cena reportedly gave Levesque a list of opponents he wants to face one last time, and Lesnar was at the top.

“This is Cena writing his final chapter,” Levesque said. “We’re just helping him tell the story the way he wants to.”

With Cena’s farewell tour in full swing and a marquee clash with Lesnar looming, WWE fans can expect more high-profile moments as the company gives one of its all-time greats a send-off worthy of his legacy.

John Cena Officially Turns Face on SmackDown, Embraces Classic Persona Ahead of SummerSlam Showdown with Cody Rhodes

The leader of the Cenation is back — and not just physically. On the August 1st edition of WWE SmackDown in Newark, New Jersey, John Cena completed a full-circle return to his roots, shedding his brief heel persona in emotional and dramatic fashion just days before his highly anticipated SummerSlam street fight against Cody Rhodes.

The Undisputed WWE Champion opened the show, but before he could utter a word, Cody Rhodes’ music hit, signaling yet another high-tension moment in their ongoing feud. What followed, however, wasn’t a typical verbal brawl — it was a moment of reflection, humility, and redemption from Cena.

Referencing their chaotic contract signing last week — which saw Rhodes put Cena through a table and forcibly sign the match contract — Cena shocked the crowd by thanking Rhodes instead of retaliating. According to Cena, that act of aggression was the wake-up call he didn’t know he needed.

“I told Cody I was exhausted… that the match was going to be too much,” Cena said. “But he didn’t listen. He made me face it. And for that, I thank him.”

Cena didn’t hold back in admitting that he had lost his way over the last several months. Alluding to his controversial heel run, he confessed to having bought into the idea of “making shocking TV” and losing touch with the performer — and person — he truly is.

“I didn’t want to ruin wrestling. Everyone knows how much I love this,” Cena told the live crowd. “I was so hung up on what people might think tomorrow, I forgot how stupid I looked today.”

In a heartfelt declaration, Cena told fans to mark their calendars: August 1, 2025 — the night John Cena “came back” to WWE, not just as a competitor, but as the hero fans grew up cheering for.

Rhodes, ever the showman with a flair for theatrics, responded by grabbing two beers from ringside and welcoming Cena back. The two shared a brief toast in the ring, blending camaraderie with intensity as the Newark crowd roared in approval.

With emotions running high and the stage set, all eyes now turn to SummerSlam, where Cena and Rhodes will settle their differences in a brutal street fight. One thing is clear: the John Cena walking into this match isn’t the jaded champion we’ve seen in recent months — it’s the fired-up icon who thrives on hustle, loyalty, and respect.

SummerSlam just got a whole lot more personal.