For the final time ever, John Cena will perform in a wrestling ring in the headliner of tonight’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Cena’s retirement tour comes to an end in Washington, DC, as he faces former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther who won The Last Time is Now tournament to earn the opportunity.
The show will also feature several main roster vs. NXT bouts.
In one, reigning WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will face NXT Champion Oba Femi in a non-title match.
Another will see former WWE Women’s Champion Bayley vs. former NXT Women’s North American Champion and former Speed Champion Sol Ruca.
The main show is rounded out by WWE World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Dragon Lee defending against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater & NXT star Je’Von Evans.
Our live coverage begins at 8 pm Eastern.
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Here it is, friends. The Time is Up, The Time is Now. John Cena announced his retirement tour last year and it has been quite a ride since then. Heel turns, dream matches, unrealized stories, this run truly had it all. Now, here on this the night of our Lord, Saturday, and the event known as “Main,” Cena will step through the ropes one last time.
So much has been deservedly said about Cena, his contribution to wrestling and his final run in the weeks leading up to tonight, that I don’t feel the need to say much else here. I always saw Cena as a gateway for new fans (and old fans with kids) and I’m pretty sure that’s how his work was meant to be seen. He was the ultimate personality, making money with the people who loved him and making money with the people who hated him. That ability to play both sides is rare in life and even rarer in pro wrestling.
Now, we find ourselves at the end of his career and he’s going out on his terms. Another rarity, especially in wrestling. Nothing else matters up to this point. Like him, hate him, whatever, it’s now all about this last match and going out in style in one of the rare events that has the eyes of the entire industry. An event that reminds us that we as fans are a community. We look to share these experiences (and then rant about them on the internet) with each other and mark the history and work of Wrestler, Actor, Jorts Enthusiast and GOAT-contender, John Cena.
-Leading into the official start of the show, Lillian Garcia gave one hell of a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner and the scene moved into footage of a very hyped crowd. Everyone was doing the “you can’t see me” gesture from attendees to merch sellers.
HBK, Johnny Gargano, Trish Stratus, Kurt Angle Mark Henry, actor Jon Berenthol and raper Metro Boomin’ were all shown in the crowd and backstage. Then, a GOAT-themed video retrospective of Cena’s career aired. WWE has always been #1 in all of sports and entertainment when it comes to these video packages and this one was no different.
Fireworks exploded around the arena at the video’s end and the traditional Wrestlers Arriving To Work footage was shown for the undercard matches. Gunther arrived to a smatering of boos and Stephanie McMahon was at the hosting desk with Joe Tessitore.
Stephanie gave Cena his flowers for including the up and coming NXT talent tonight and asked if we were ready. Spoiler: We were.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi
Femi won the chance to face Rhodes by re-acquiring the NXT Championship from Ricky saints at Deadline. He also defended the title against Je’Von Evans on Tuesday’s episode of NXT, so he’s been busy. This will be Femi’s first Main Roster match and if you’ve seen him in NXT, you know that it will definitely not be his last. Rhodes has been Undisputedly Championing since August when he took the title from the Man of The Hour, John Cena at Summerslam.
The only thing in the ring bigger than Femi was Cody’s neck tattoo as the two locked up in a feeling out process. Femi usually overpowers his opponents and Rhodes was no exception, with Femi throwing him into the corner. Rhodes came back with a headlock though, showing Femi he’s got some strength and agility as well.
Femi picked Rhodes up while the headlock was on and Rhodes tried to quickly zip around Femi, but he was caught by the throat. Femi landed a backbreaker as he methodically started picking Rhodes over. Femi whipped Rhodes into the corner and Rhodes started throwing punches.
Femi didn’t like that and he picked up Rhodes and tossed him across the ring. Rhodes dodged a charge and went for a powerslam, but Femi blocked it and hit a powerslam of his own. Every time Rhodes threw a kick or shot at Femi, the NXT Champion just shook it off and delivered one of his own.
Femi hit another backbreaker and pulld Rhodes to his feet. He hoisted him up, but Rhodes rolled out. Femi charged and Rhodes dodged it, sending him into the ringpost. Femi staggered back and Rhodes hit that powerslam and then a Cody Cutter, but Femi kicked out at two.
Rhodes tried another cutter but Femi caught him. Rhodes twisted Femi to the outside and went to diave afater him, but Femi caught him with an uppercut on the way through. Femi charged in the ring again, but Rhodes pulled down the top rope, sending him outside to land a suicide dive on the outside.
Back in the ring, Rhodes came off the ropes again, but Femi caught him and hit a spinbuster. Femi scooped up Rhodes, but again, Rhodes dropped out of it. Femi clotheslined him over the top rope. Femi went to the outside and hit a sprinting European uppercut onto the announce desk, busting Rhodes open.
Back in the ring, Femi planted Rhodes with a chokeslam, but only got a two count. Rhodes was bleeding profusely from the ear, sparking fears of a broken eardrum. Femi tried another pop up, but Rhodes countered it into another Cody Cutter.
Suddenly, Drew McIntyre showed up and started punching Rhodes. The ref called for the DQ and Femi grabbed McIntyre, very mad that his match was interrupted. Femi showed no fear, shoving him to the mat. Then Rhodes hit a cutter on McIntyre and Femi put the exclamation point on it with a chokeslam.
Match Result: Cody Rhodes vs Oba Femi went to a no contest after Drew McIntyre interfered
After the match, Rhodes picked up the NXT title and handed it to Femi, with both champions standing tall and celebrating.
That was a great match with a really disappointing ending. Rhodes is always at his best when he’s fighting uphill and Femi looked dominant against the veteran champion. Killer stuff until the interference, which I get (gotta protect those guys!) but at the same time, I really hope they get to finish that match one day.
-Next a video package with more celebrities like Peyton and Eli Manning, Snoop Dogg, and Jimmy Fallon wishing Cena well aired. An package featuring the likes of Tom Brady, Lil Yachty Vanessa Hudgens, and Jimmy Kimmel aired earlier.
-Back from break, more accolades for Cena from Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Bayley, Rey Mysterio Jr, Charlotte Flair, Jey Uso, Stephanie McMahon, and a tearful CM Punk via video package. Tyreese Haliburton and Chuck Zito were shown in the audience.
Bayley w/Lyra Valkyria vs Sol Ruca w/Zaria
Much like her fans, Bayley just kinda wanted something to do. That turned out to be competing against anyone from NXT at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and it was none other than former NXT Women’s North American and Speed Champion, Sol Ruca. The match was made on the Dec. 5 SmackDown and last Tuesday on NXT, Ruca invited her BFF Zaria to the Saturday Night party, which was nice of her. Bayley stopped to hug WWE vets Trish Status and Eve Torres on her way to the ring.
The bell rang and they locked up. Bayley managed to get a headlock on off the top and transitioned to a waistlock takedown. Ruca tried to roll her over, but Bayley kept her cook and went for a whip wristlock. Ruca turned it into a cartwheel and Bayley started working Ruca’s arm.
Ruca took down Bayley with a flipping ‘rana headscissor that really pleased the crowd. Bayley went back to the arm, but Ruca countered it into an X-Factor. Bayley rolled to the outside to recover, and lured Ruca to the ropes. When she got there, Bayley hung her up on the ropes and the fight moved to the apron.
Ruca kicked Bayley to the ground and went for a flip from the apron, but Bayley moved and she hit the floor. Bayley threw Ruca back into the ring and the two searched for a pin with neither getting one. Ruca planted a kick in Bayley’s face and sent her back to the outside. Ruca hit a handspring over the top rope and landed right on her.
Ruca put Bayley back in the ring and went for a springboard splash, but Bayley moved and hit a front suplex, hitting Ruca’s head on the second turnbuckle. Bayley took control from there with a knee to the back of Ruca and a high knee to the face. Bayley charged Ruca in the corner, but Ruca stepped away and hit a series of back elbows.
Ruca got up on the top rope and walked it into a DDT for a two count. She went for another springboard, but walked right into a Bayley to Belly suplex. Bayley hung Ruca up in a tree of woe and delivered a running elbow.
Ruca came back with a kick and a backslide, but Bayley transitioned it into a rose plant, but Ruca countered it with a shining wizard of sorts. Ruca went for a springboard, but Bayley caught her in another Rose Plant. Bayley made the pin, but Ruca’s foot was on the rope, forcing a break.
Bayley hit a back suplex and went up top to hit a big elbow, but Ruca got her knees up. Ruca scrambled up the turnbuckles and hit a Sol Snatcher, but Bayley rolled it through into a pin attempt. Ruca did the same and shockingly got the 1-2-3 to win the match!
Match Result: Sol Ruca defeated Bayley
Bayley approached Ruca after the match and shook her hand. All four in the ring did the Cena saulte and Zaria and Ruca hugged.
That was fun! Very cool to see Ruca get the quick win over Bayley. Especially when you consider that Bayley is an NXT OG and Ruca is a star in the making. Great stuff.
-Next, Sheamus, Rob Van Dam, Corey Graves, Becky Lynch, Micheal Hayes, Cameraman Tom Stewart, Micheal Cole, Cody Rhodes, Undertaker, and The Rock all wished Cena well via video. Michelle McCool and Rob Van Dam were also shown in the audience along with Sami Zayn. Cole also mentioned Corey Graves, JBL, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross and Taz as colleagues who’ve called icon Cena matches with him over the years.
WWE World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
Why is this match happening? Who cares! World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs Je’Von Evans and TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater is a collossal clash of wrestling’s past and it’s future. If you’ve never seen Evans, dude be bouncy. Like, really bouncy. Slater is the current X-Division Champion in TNA, a title and division that was literally defined by Styles. Styles has said repeatedly that his time in wrestling is growing short, so maybe this will be the start of his own retirement tour.
Evans and Slater did not waste time, Superkicking Lee and Styles to the outside and diving after them. The speed was about 100 mph as Slater and Evans traded splashes on Lee in the ring. Evans and Slater isolated Lee in their corner and tagged in and out, delivering splashes, kicks and forearms.
Lee managed to kick he way free and pulled the top rope down to sent Evans to the outside. Slater came in through and tried a clothesline, but somehow Lee countered and worked it into a sit out powerbomb.
Evans and Styles made tags and Styles hits a leaping forearm and then a neckbreaker. Slater tried to interfere and took a slam. Styles went outside and Evans followed via moonsault, but not one was home. Lee hit a flying Rana on Slater, sending him into Styles’ arms, but Evans stopped him before he coult hit a Styles Clash.
Back in the ring, Evans hit a massive cutter from about 15 feet in the air, followed by a swanton 450 from Slater. Slater went for the pin, but Lee broke it up. “This is awesome” chants were loud and plentiful.
Lee hit a big dive on Evans on the outside and Slater set up Styles in the ring, but Styles reversed it, trying to get a clash on. Slater wiggled free, but couldn’t get away from the Phenomenal Phorearm. Unfortunately, Styles slipped on the top rope and couldn’t land it.
Slater went up top, but Styles caught him into a Styles Clash and that was it. Styles pinned Slater to get the win.
Match Result: Dragon Lee and AJ Styles defeated Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater
Great match, I love it when the WWE guys get a chance to speed things up and Evans and Slater are all about speed. Lots of high spots with big moves and a solid finish.
-Next, after showing a litany of tweets from pro sports teams congratulating Cena, Kane, R-Truth, The Miz, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Alexa Bliss, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn and Xavier Woods all thanked Cena in video messages.
-When we came back from break, they threw to Stephanie McMahon and Joe Tessitore at the Host position. However, you could see someone in the ring behind them, who interrupted with an “Aaaaaawwwwwsome!” It was the Miz, being mad about being left out of all the celebration for Cena, since he beat him at Wrestlemania. That brought out R-Truth who said that Miz stole someone’s oppourtunity in the Last Time Is Now tournament.
Truth handed Miz the ball with the name of the person who’s spot he took. Miz opened it and said the name “Joe Hendry.”
As is legally required, his name was said and he appeared! Truth believes in Joe Hendry and Hendry took out Miz. Truth and Hendry then hit a stereo 5-Knuckle Shuffle on Miz. Hendry hit a Standing Ovation and Truth counted to three. They did the wave and posed as the segment ended.
-A “Thank You Cena” video package aired that rivaled the “My Sacrifice” vignettes from way back in the day. It touched on Cena’s accomplishments, his relationship with his fellow wrestlers and the impact he’s made in people’s lives.
Then, the lights went out and Gunther made his way to the ring. While he was walking down the ramp Cole noted that Cena has not tapped out in 20 years. Gunther actually got out of the ring after his entrance to allow Cena his moment.
Cena’s music hit and the crowd exploded. He walked out of the entrance ramp and took it in as the crowd sang along word for word with his music. Even Cena looked surprised by this. He took the camera off the shoulder of Tom Stewart and gave him his thanks. Cena then threw his towel into the audience and sprinted to the ring for the last time.
The Last Time Is Now: John Cena vs Gunther
During his retirement year, Cena had faced the likes of Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, Sami Zayn, Logan Paul, R-Truth, Dominik Mysterio and more. Now hes up against one of the best in the world, the Ring General, Gunther. Gunther defeated NXT’s Je’Von Evans, Carmelo Hayes, Solo Sikoa and, LA Knight in the Last Time Is Now tournament for the right to face Cena. Gunther notably also retired Goldberg earlier this year, so beating Cena would be another notch on his considerable belt.
Cena looked emotional as he got out of the ring and thanked all the WWE legends that were at ringside including Kevin Owens, Meng, and Booker T before getting back into the ring and throwing up his signature hand gestures.
LIllian Garcia did the introductions, her voice shaking as she announced “the greatest of all time, never seen, seventeen, …for one final time, the last real Champion, John Cena.”
Cena tossed his hat and shirt into the crowd and the bell rang. They locked up collar and elbow, with Cena breaking free. Gunther then stepped out of the ring, playing mind games and trying to calm the crowd. There would be no calming though as he stepped back in and started throwing European uppercuts.
The crowd went with a “F*ck You, Gunther” chant, which actually seemed to rattle the Austrian a bit. He continued punching Cena though, knocking him to his knees with some chops. Gunther scooped slammed Cena, then whipped him into the corner.
Gunther went for a chop and Cena caught it. He threw hands at Gunther and then laied him out with some shoulder tackles and a back breaker. Cena then looked to the audience and called for the 5-Knuckle Shuffle. He executed it perfectly and the crowd went nuts.
Cena went to hoist Gunther into the AA, but Gunther countered and turned it into a suplex. He drove a knee into Cena’s face and locked in a tight sleeper hold. Cena flipped out of it though and locked in an STFU. Gunther was far from the ropes and as the crowd went berserk he slowly crawled his way there.
Cena broke the hold before Gunther could get to the ropes and Gunther kicked him off. He then powerbombed Cena, leaving him flat in the ring. When Cena got up, Gunther clotheslined him back down.
After every strike, Gunther made the ref check Cena, promising that he was going to make Cena give up tonight. A third clothesline repeated the process as Gunther talked trash. A fourth clothesline from Gunther, but Cena got back up. That led to a fifth clothesline, shades of Brock Lesnar and his suplexes.
Cena ducked the sixth clothesline and began to rally with a shoulder block. He hit a second 5-Knuckle Shuffle and nailed an AA. Gunther, however, kicked out at two. Cena grabbed Gunther for another AA but Gunther got out of it and locked in a sleeper in the middle of the ring.
Cena powered out of it and put a sleeper of his own on Gunther. Gunther squirmed and wiggled until his foot touched the rope and Cena had to break the hold. Gunther slid out of the ring and Cena followed, only for Gunther to backdrop him on the ring apron (the Cena-est part of the ring!).
Gunther then threw Cena into the steel steps and dragged the other set up against the announce table. He mocked Cena for the crowd atop the stairs and then went back for Cena himself. Gunther dragged him up the steel steps and cleared the table.
Gunther set Cena up for a powerbomb, but Cena countered and hit an AA, sending Gunther through the table!
Cena threw Gunther back into the ring for a cover, but Gunther kicked out. The two lay in the ring, exhausted. Cena got to his feet first though and went up top for a big leg drop. Gunther kicked out at two though.
“You’ve still got it!” chants broke out, but Cena quieted the crowd and asked if they wanted one more 5-Knuckle Shuffle. As it turns out, they did, so Cena did that, but before he could land it, Gunther popped up and superkicked him. Gunther then hit a powerbomb, but Cena kicked out.
Gunther went up top, but Cena met him there with an uppercut. He grabbed him and set him up for a seccond rope Avalanche AA, but Gunther refused to go down and kicked out at two.
Both men got up and started trading potatoes in the middle of the ring. They went blow for blow until Cena ducked one and tried another AA. Gunther countered it with a powerbomb though and went up top. He hit a massive frog splash, but Cena kicked out at two.
The crowd chanted for “Super Cena” as Gunther showed frustration and locked on another sleeper. Cean started fading as he sank down to the ring apron. He found his guts though and stood back up, peeling Gunther’s arms from around his neck.
Gunther reset and Cena started to fall back to the mat. Cena powered out again and tried for another AA, but Gunther just put that sleeper right back on. Cena dug deep and stood, with Gunther leaping onto his back for leverage.
Cena kept his wits though and drove Gunther back into the corner. Gunther ran back at him though and put him back in the sleeper. Cena, as billed, would not give up and sent Gunther back again. This time. when Gunther charged, Cena hit another AA. Gunther kicked out though and immediately put the sleeper back on.
Cena clenched his fists as the crowd chanted “don’t give up!” Gunther wrapped his legs around Cena’s body and the ref checked Cena’s arm. Two fell, but ont he third, Cena raised his fists and powered back. Gunther started pummeling Cena’s chest with elbows before putting the sleeper on yet again.
Then John Cena shocked everyone by tapping out, giving Gunther the win.
Match Result: Gunther defeated John Cena
Shots of the astonished crowd were shown, a scene I haven’t seen since Lesnar broke The Streak. Gunther laughed as he walked from the ring, leaving Cena sitting in the middle of it.
The crowd showed their displeasure, chanting “bullsh*t” at the ending.
Cena for his part though, stayed calm. He patted the ring gently as the chants changed to “thank you, Cena.”
He stood in the ring and thanked everyone, saying “that’s all I’ve got.” He bowed as the crowd applauded.
Triple, H, Stephanie, HBK, Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Undertaker, Bruce Pritchard and the producers and workers in the back came out. The crowd screamed “you fu*ked up” at them.
Rhodes and Punk laid their title belts on Cena’s shoulders and the crowd applauded for him. The rest of the locker room surrounded the ring as Cena held the titles high amongst the “thank you, Cena” chants.
Cena played with the crowd, hoisting the titles around the ring to great cheers. He gave the belts back and Triple H grabbed Cena for a big hug. He pointed to the big screen and a video package began to play.
While Cena watched, picture in picture, It recapped Cena’s greatest moments and featured comments from his Mom and Dad, his colleagues, his rivals and his never ending quest to give time to every kid, fan and person out there.
The shocking part was that Vince McMahon himself was included speaking about Cena in the video. It was from an old interview, but it was still a surprise to see VKM on WWE TV in any capacity.
Cena took one more bow after the video’s end, surrounded byt his colleagues, friends, and fans. He slowly stepped out of his shoes (showing off his “U CANT SEE ME” socks) and laid his wristbands next to them in the middle of the ring.
With that, he walked up the ramp, touching as many hands as possible. He stopped at the entrance and took it in for a moment. With one final salut, Cena said “it’s been a pleasure serving you all these years” and walked through the entrance.
The show went to black as a true era ended. With all that said and done, there’s only one thing left to say on behalf of wrestling fans, journalists, and workers:
Thank you, Cena.
