• GUNTHER Set To Retire Another Legend After John Cena
GUNTHER established himself as WWE’s top heel after retiring John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event. From the moment he arrived in the arena, The Ring General was met with heavy boos from the crowd.
The two-time World Heavyweight Champion became just the fourth wrestler in WWE history to make John Cena tap out, and the first to do so in 21 years.
With victories over Cena and Goldberg, GUNTHER is quickly being positioned as WWE’s new legend killer, following in the footsteps of Randy Orton. It appears he may be set to end another iconic career in the future.
According to WRKD Wrestling, GUNTHER is expected to retire Brock Lesnar after bringing an end to the careers of both John Cena and Goldberg this year.
As noted previously, WWE has discussed retirement plans for The Beast Incarnate. With SummerSlam 2026 scheduled to take place in Brock Lesnar’s hometown of Minneapolis, Minnesota, that scenario is viewed as a strong possibility.
WWE will say goodbye to AJ Styles next year, and it appears that Brock Lesnar, and potentially a returning Chris Jericho could join him.
• AEW Star Takes A Shot At The Ending Of John Cena’s Final Match
After putting up an incredible fight for over 20 minutes and refusing to give up, John Cena ultimately tapped out to GUNTHER’s Sleeper Hold in his final WWE match.
The shocking finish left the entire arena and fans around the world stunned, as the man who had always preached “never give up” finally did just that.
The booking decision led to an extremely negative reaction for WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H from fans in the arena.
The internet is divided, with some arguing that Cena should have passed out instead of tapping, while others felt that GUNTHER forcing The GOAT to submit elevated The Ring General to a whole new level.
AEW star Jeff Jarrett weighed in on the controversy, using X to call out the creative decision. He wrote:
“Love watching movies when the superhero gets destroyed in the final scene and then dies.
Even better is when my favorite sports team not only gets beat but gives up with a smile on their face.
Makes me feel good about spending time/money on the night.
🤦♂️
Creative is subjective.”
• GUNTHER Gets Massive Heat While Leaving Saturday Night’s Main Event (Video)
The reaction at the end of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event was so heated that GUNTHER had to be escorted by security as furious fans followed him out of the building.
The crowd in the Capital One Arena was visibly upset after the main event, and video footage shows that their anger did not stop when the show went off the air.
— WrestleFeed (@WrestleFeedApp) December 14, 2025
The match, which marked John Cena’s final WWE bout, ended with Cena tapping out to GUNTHER. This decisive loss, after Cena gave a great performance and fought off a comeback attempt and an Attitude Adjustment, was too much for many in attendance. Chants of “bullsh*t” and loud boos filled the arena immediately after the finish.
As GUNTHER walked toward his tour bus outside the venue, security stayed close to him. Fans were caught on video continuing to scream at The Ring General, shouting insults and showing a high level of anger.
On the Saturday Night’s Main Event post show, fans chanted “You f*cked up”, “F**k Triple H” and “AEW” towards The Game. Some fans online went as far as wishing death on him.
Here’s what Triple H said about the fan reaction on the SNME post show:
“There are time honored traditions in our business. John has said the right thing his entire career, that it’s about leaving this place better than the way he found it.
There’s no way for people to understand that in the moment, but you do what is right for the business, you do what is right for this industry. John has done that his entire career and I’m going to do that my entire career.
I will do what I believe is right for this business and it just is what it is. I understand that’s tough for people to understand but it’s part of what we do, that is the role what we have chosen.
If you were to say what will Cena do on his way out… he will put somebody over on the way out. He will leave this better than he found it and he will make somebody on his way out, that is what John does, that is what John has always done.
I know people will criticize this and people will look at it, people will talk about this moment right here. I’ve got big shoulders. I can handle it.”
