The Aryavarth Express
Washington, DC:
John Cena brought the curtain down on his legendary WWE career on Sunday, submitting to Gunther in his final professional wrestling match at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The loss marked an emotional end to a storied, two-decade run for the 17-time world champion.
Competing in front of a raucous Washington, DC crowd, Cena received a thunderous ovation as fans sang along to his iconic theme, *“My Time Is Now.” Several of his longtime rivals and peers—including Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Mark Henry—watched from ringside as Cena delivered one last high-profile performance.
The match was a physical showcase. Gunther struck early with stiff chops and uppercuts, while Cena answered with his trademark comeback offense. Despite landing multiple Attitude Adjustments, including one through the announce table, Cena was unable to keep the dominant Austrian down. Gunther repeatedly survived near falls and ultimately secured victory by locking in a sleeper hold, forcing Cena to tap out—an ironic end for the man synonymous with “Never Give Up.”
After the bell, the arena filled with WWE stars past and present. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk placed their championship belts on Cena’s shoulders in a powerful gesture of respect. Surrounded by WWE executives and legends including Triple H and Shawn Michaels, Cena soaked in the applause before leaving his shoes and wristbands in the ring—a traditional symbol of retirement.
Gunther, already a former World Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion, etched his name into history as the man who defeated Cena in his final bout. He earned the opportunity by winning the Last Time Is Now tournament, setting up the generational clash.
Cena retires with one of the most decorated résumés in WWE history: 17 world championships, five United States title reigns, an Intercontinental Championship, multiple tag team titles, two Royal Rumble wins, a Money in the Bank victory, and a completed WWE Grand Slam.
His farewell year was filled with milestones, including capturing a record-breaking 17th world title at WrestleMania 41, a passing-of-the-torch loss to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, and finally securing the Intercontinental Championship to complete his Grand Slam before relinquishing it later in the year.
With his final match now in the books, John Cena officially steps away from in-ring competition—leaving behind a legacy defined by championships, iconic moments, and an era of WWE that will forever be associated with his name.
