“A Whole Lot Of People Thought It Sucked…” - John Cena On Gunther Retirement Match (WWE News)
John Cena described his final WWE match ever as "a perfect end", but...
Tears fell as John Cena toasted his final WWE match with peers and fans alike following a loss to Gunther at Saturday Night's Main Event on 13 December 2025. Basking in the majesty of the moment, Cena celebrated a career packed with ups and downs, and he's vowed that this is definitely it for him inside the ring.
The man described that bout vs. Gunther as "a perfect end" when addressing it during an appearance at Fan Expo New Orleans. However, John is keenly aware that the finish (which saw him smile before tapping out whilst locked in a submission hold) wasn't for everybody. In fact, he says that "a whole lot of people thought it sucked".
He thinks it was special though, and it's a moment he'll cherish forever. Cena is grateful to WWE for giving him a year long retirement tour. It wasn't always 100% awesome, but he enjoyed himself throughout and believes the ending was fitting.
During the Fan Expo, he added: "Thank you for being vocal enough to express how you felt because every moment can be a teachable moment. I put together, my job is to try to put together a story that I think you all enjoy".
Cena also said that he's "all ears" on criticism, because that's when he's able to learn and get better as a performer. It was a typically classy response to negativity from someone who strolled off into the sunset with his head held high.
Cena Is Expected To Headline WWE Hall Of Fame 2026
It hasn't been announced yet, but most Cena super fans eagerly anticipate that their hero will be the focal point of WWE's Hall Of Fame 2026 ceremony shortly before WrestleMania 42 this April. It'd be a massive surprise if John wasn't head of the class, put it that way.
Ongoing rumours surrounding Chris Jericho's seemingly imminent arrival from AEW have put a small question mark next to Cena definitely going in as figurehead, but no - it makes sense that WWE would honour him properly first and foremost. Jericho is worthy of headlining himself though, so maybe the Canadian will work a year long reprise in the company before going in as head of the class in 2027.
Of course, that's all up for debate. Nobody actually knows a thing until WWE officially reveals their plans pre-'Mania 42. One thing's for sure: Not one soul could steal the spotlight from Cena if he was announced for the HOF. He's too big a star, and he's been far too important to WWE life since 2002.
Watch this space. Hall Of Fame treatment beckons.