John Cena Retires After Emotional Final Match at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

After more than 20 years in WWE, John Cena’s legendary in-ring career officially came to an end Saturday night at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., headlining the final WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event of 2025.

Cena’s farewell match saw him tap out to Gunther following a brutal, emotional, nearly 24-minute main event. The Washington crowd was electric throughout, desperately willing Cena toward one last victory that would have defied wrestling tradition. While stunned by the outcome, fans quickly shifted to gratitude as Cena bid farewell surrounded by the entire WWE locker room and staff.

Rather than becoming a two-hour tribute solely focused on Cena, the card intentionally spotlighted WWE’s future, particularly rising NXT talent—further underscoring that Cena leaves the company in strong hands.

• Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi

  Result: Rhodes def. Femi via disqualificationDrew McIntyre’s interference cut the match short, but Oba Femi still emerged as a major winner. From his promo on SmackDown to his performance here, “The Ruler” looked every bit like a future main-event star. Rhodes’ rivalry with McIntyre continues as WWE searches for his next true challenger.

  
  

  Sol Ruca def. Bayley

  This match served as a main-roster showcase for Sol Ruca, whose innovative offense stole the spotlight. Bayley took the clean loss without losing any credibility, and both women appear poised for prominent roles heading into the Royal Rumble season.

  
  

  World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles & Dragon Lee def. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater

  Despite being the shortest match on the card, this was the most adrenaline-packed bout of the night. Leon Slater and Je’Von Evans dazzled, Dragon Lee impressed as always, and AJ Styles proved he can still hang with competitors half his age. The ceiling remains incredibly high for the younger duo.

  
  

  Main Event: Gunther def. John Cena via Submission

  Cena exited the ring the way he always said he would putting over the future. Gunther sold increasing frustration as Cena refused to quit, creating multiple believable near-finishes. While not the best match of Cena’s retirement run, it was a perfectly symbolic final chapter.

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  After the bell, Cena turned toward the entrance ramp and was greeted by CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, WWE legends, executives, and eventually the entire locker room. Punk and Rhodes presented Cena with their championship belts in a powerful sign of respect.

  Paul “Triple H” Levesque then pointed to a tribute video. When it ended, Cena left his shoes and armbands in the ring, walked up the ramp, took a bow, and saluted the crowd bringing an iconic career to a fitting close.