EXPLAINED: Why John Cena Smiled Before Tapping Out In Last WWE Match (WWE News)

WWE legend John Cena describes thought process behind THAT smile vs. Gunther.

John Cena Cody Rhodes Podcast
WWE/YouTube/What Do You Wanna Talk About?

A peaceful smile washed over John Cena's face before he tapped out to Gunther's submission hold at last weekend's Saturday Night's Main Event. That finish wasn't to every fan's tastes, but Cena has defended it during an appearance on 'What Do You Wanna Talk About?' with Cody Rhodes.

There, John explained why he grinned before tapping: "As I take my last breath, I have struggled. If you think of somebody, the natural causes scenario or however we picture loss in our life, all of us have been through it. They struggle. They hang on just long enough to enough to say goodbye".

That's pretty poignant and deep.

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WWE fans in attendance for SNME booed boss Triple H when he showed up to hug Cena and celebrate his career post-match. They were not happy with the ending, and blamed Hunter for booking it that way, but John himself would've had a huge part to play in how things transpired. He seems happy enough with his last match and has defended the finish.

Cena's conversation with Cody was fascinating, and it really is must see/hear. Together, they chatted about everything from John's controversial heel turn in March, the absence of both The Rock and Travis Scott in the immediate aftermath, his thoughts on retirement overall and much, much more.

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Smiling the way he did then tapping out was something Cena had in mind for his final chapter. He was making peace with the idea that WWE wrestler John Cena was at the end of the road, but could look back on countless amazing moments.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.