WASHINGTON, DC — John Cena ends his wrestling career in defeat.
The iconic WWE wrestler lost the final match of his storied run, as Gunther emerged victorious at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13.
After a thrilling battle that had several twists and turns, it came down to the Sleeper Hold.
Toward the end of the match, punches were traded when the two stars got to their feet, and it was Gunther who broke it with a powerbomb. He followed it with a Frog Splash and Cena avoided the loss, but Gunther didn’t stop, hitting another Sleeper Hold. Cena got up several times but Gunther continued to drag him back down. Just when Cena broke out of it, Gunther locked it back in.
Cena got out one more time to land the AA but the pin didn’t work, and it was immediately followed up with another submission hold. The crowd chanted ‘don’t give up’ as Cena started to fade. The referee checked Cena’s hand and he was able to keep it up before the three-count.
But Gunther kept the hold on. Cena finally tapped out and Gunther won to stun the crowd.
With the result, Cena’s wrestling career is complete. The Massachusetts native made his WWE debut in June 2002 and went on a historic 23-year run in the company. He was the face of wrestling for nearly two decades, embarking on several notable feuds with a ton great moments and championship reigns.
At Money in the Bank 2024, Cena announced 2025 would be his final year of in-ring competition, beginning a farewell tour that took place across the world and would culminate at Capital One Arena in the nation’s capital.
A tournament was held to determine who would get the opportunity to be Cena’s final opponent, and Gunther emerged as the winner, defeating LA Knight in the final for the right to face the future WWE Hall of Famer. Now, Gunther gets the honor of beating Cena in his final match.
With his wrestling career over, Cena ends as a 17-time WWE Champion – the most in company history – as well as a Grand Slam Champion – with reigns as the Intercontinental, United States and Tag Team Champion. He also won the 2012 Money in the Bank match and is a two-time Royal Rumble match winner, in 2008 and 2013.
It likely won’t be the last time Cena appears in WWE, but the last time was now for him as a wrestler.