John Cena’s iconic WWE career came to a close on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

The 17-time champion faced Gunther in an emotional final match that thrilled fans but ended in defeat for the wrestling legend.

The night was dedicated to Cena, honoring his 23-year career with highlights, tributes, and appearances from both past and present WWE stars. A video montage played inside the arena, and Cena saluted the audience one final time before leaving his armbands and sneakers in the ring — a symbolic end to “The Champ’s” storied journey.

One final goodbye.

Thank YOU, @JohnCena. 🫡 pic.twitter.com/hg8gNpbILG
— WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2025

Nearly the entire WWE roster joined the ring afterward, with champions Cody Rhodes and CM Punk placing their belts on Cena’s shoulders as a gesture of respect.

The final match: Cena vs. Gunther

The main event saw Gunther take early control, dominating Cena with aggressive offense and taunts. Cena responded in classic fashion with the “Five-Knuckle Shuffle” and Attitude Adjustment attempts, eliciting cheers from the packed arena.

Despite multiple signature moves and submission attempts, Gunther ultimately countered Cena’s efforts, locking him in a Sleeper Hold that forced the WWE legend to tap out. The match lasted nearly 24 minutes and was filled with moments that highlighted Cena’s resilience and skill.

Other key matches

Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi: Rhodes defeated NXT Champion Oba Femi via disqualification in 9:05 after Drew McIntyre interfered. Femi impressed with his raw talent and could be a major star moving forward.
Sol Ruca vs. Bayley: Sol Ruca secured a 9:24 victory over Bayley, showcasing a standout cartwheel DDT and signaling her potential as a future main roster star.
AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater: The high-energy tag match electrified the crowd ahead of Cena’s final bout.

Legacy

John Cena leaves WWE as one of the most influential wrestlers in history. While his final match ended in defeat, the night celebrated his contributions and paved the way for young stars like Oba Femi and Sol Ruca to step into the spotlight. Fans can expect these rising talents to feature prominently in upcoming WWE events, including the Royal Rumble and SmackDown.

Cena’s farewell marks the end of an era, but his legacy as “The Champ” and his impact on wrestling culture will endure for years to come.