John Cena’s illustrious pro wrestling career has come to an end in a dramatic and controversial fashion. The iconic WWE star tapped out in a sleeper hold during his final match against Gunther at “Saturday Night’s Main Event,” held at Capital One Arena, drawing an announced crowd of 19,232 on Saturday.
The match, which marked the culmination of Cena’s 23-year WWE journey, saw the 48-year-old legend fight valiantly against Gunther’s relentless attacks. Despite escaping Gunther’s signature hold multiple times and delivering a final Attitude Adjustment, Cena ultimately succumbed to the “Ring General” after the sixth attempt. In a peculiar moment, Cena smiled and winked at the camera before tapping out, a gesture that left fans bewildered and dissatisfied.
The End of an Era
Cena’s submission marked only the fifth time in his storied career that he had tapped out, the last occurrence being in 2004 against Kurt Angle. The match concluded with an emotional scene as the locker room emptied, and fellow wrestlers Cody Rhodes and CM Punk handed Cena their world titles for a final hold, dubbing him “The Last Real World Champion.”
However, the audience in Washington, D.C., expressed their discontent with the match’s conclusion. While it is customary for a retiring star to lose their final match, the anticlimactic finish and Cena’s unexpected smile before submission led to chants of “bulls–t” and “You f–ked up!” directed at WWE booker Triple H, who was booed as he addressed the crowd post-match.
Fan Reactions and Industry Implications
Despite the mixed reactions, Cena received a warm farewell from the crowd, taking final bows and leaving his sneakers and wristbands in the ring. He addressed the fans one last time, saying, “It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years, thank you.”
Gunther, who has previously defeated Bill Goldberg in his retirement match, is poised for a significant push within WWE following his victory over Cena. In a recent interview, Gunther expressed his aspirations to ascend to the top tier of the company, stating, “It’s natural. I think I could. In ring I know I’m there, if not better. I think the rest will naturally follow.”
Cena’s Legacy and Career Retrospective
The conclusion of Cena’s career also wraps up a year-long retirement tour featuring 36 appearances and 15 matches. Notably, Cena turned heel for the first time in two decades during this tour, capturing his record 17th world title at WrestleMania. However, the heel turn and subsequent storyline developments were met with mixed reviews, leading to Cena reverting to a face character in his final months.
Throughout his career, Cena has been the face of WWE, guiding the company through periods of financial prosperity and facing criticism for various creative decisions. His tenure as the face champion in the late 2000s and early 2010s coincided with a decline in ratings and a backlash against PG-rated programming.
Looking Ahead
As WWE transitions into a new era without Cena at the forefront, the company faces the challenge of cultivating new stars and maintaining its audience amidst evolving entertainment landscapes. Gunther’s victory positions him as a potential new face of WWE, but the path forward remains uncertain.
While Cena’s departure marks the end of an era, his legacy as one of the greatest wrestlers in history is firmly cemented. As fans and the wrestling community reflect on his contributions, the impact of his career will undoubtedly continue to influence WWE and its future direction.
