John Cena Bids Farewell to WWE with Emotional Submission Loss to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event

New Delhi | December 14

John Cena’s legendary WWE career came to a close at Saturday Night’s Main Event as the 17-time World Champion suffered a hard-fought submission loss to Gunther, ending nearly two decades of in-ring dominance. The bout, held on Sunday night at the Capital One Arena, marked Cena’s final WWE match and delivered an emotional farewell for fans across the world. The main event saw Cena face Gunther, known as “The Ring General,” in a physical and intense contest that tested both men’s endurance. In a moment that stunned the crowd, Gunther locked in his Sleeper Hold, forcing Cena to tap out. It was the first time in almost 20 years that Cena had submitted in a WWE match, a result that left many fans shocked and upset.

The atmosphere throughout the night was charged with emotion, as WWE paid tribute to Cena’s historic career. Several of his former rivals and wrestling legends, including Kurt Angle, Mark Henry, Rob Van Dam, Michelle McCool, and Trish Stratus, were present at ringside. Other icons such as The Rock and Kane sent recorded messages, sharing their respect and best wishes ahead of Cena’s final appearance. Gunther entered the arena first to loud boos from the packed crowd. When Cena’s iconic entrance music hit, the arena erupted as fans welcomed the face of WWE for one last time. The respect was clear as Cena made his way to the ring, acknowledging the crowd and former rivals who stood to honor him. Once the bell rang, Gunther controlled much of the early action, using his strength and technical skill to dominate Cena.

The crowd voiced their displeasure loudly, urging Cena to fight back. Cena responded with flashes of his classic comeback, delivering the Five Knuckle Shuffle and attempting the STF submission. However, Gunther remained calm and methodical, regaining control with powerful strikes and throws. As the match progressed, Cena dug deep and entered what fans call “Super Cena mode.” He hit another Five Knuckle Shuffle and followed it with an Attitude Adjustment, but Gunther kicked out at two. The Ring General nearly put Cena to sleep with the Sleeper Hold and continued to punish him, even throwing him into the steel steps at ringside. In a dramatic turn, Cena countered and delivered an Attitude Adjustment through the announcer’s table, briefly shifting momentum. Gunther still managed to kick out, keeping the match alive. The crowd rallied behind Cena with chants of “You still got it” as he continued to fight.

A top-rope Attitude Adjustment nearly sealed the win, but again Gunther powered out. The final moments saw a clear clash between Cena’s resilience and Gunther’s wrestling intelligence. Gunther absorbed another Attitude Adjustment, rose again, and locked in the Sleeper Hold one last time. With nowhere to go, Cena tapped out, bringing his WWE in-ring career to an end. The crowd reacted loudly, with mixed emotions of disbelief, anger, and sadness. After the match, the WWE roster joined Cena in the ring to applaud his career.

A heartfelt video package played, highlighting his journey, championships, and impact on the sport. Overcome with emotion, Cena removed his sneakers and left them in the ring, a symbolic gesture of retirement. He saluted the camera and said, “It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years, thank you,” before walking backstage to a standing ovation. Saturday Night’s Main Event also featured several other notable matches, but the night will be remembered for Cena’s farewell.

His final match closed the chapter on one of the most influential careers in WWE history, leaving behind a legacy built on loyalty, hard work, and unforgettable moments.