John Cena’s iconic WWE journey is set to come to an end on December 13, when he steps into the ring for the final time to face Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Gunther earned the coveted role of Cena’s last-ever opponent by defeating LA Knight in the final of the Last Time Is Now tournament on the December 5 edition of SmackDown. The 16-man tournament ran for a month, and Gunther, widely regarded as one of WWE’s most complete performers, was considered the frontrunner from day one.
Fans will recall that Gunther also brought Goldberg’s career to a close earlier this year, dominantly beating the Hall of Famer at Saturday Night’s Main Event in July. His selection as Cena’s parting opponent carries a symbolic weight: another powerhouse closing the chapter of another legend.
The upcoming match marks the first singles encounter between Cena and Gunther, setting up a rare and generational showdown. For Gunther, it’s a chance to deliver a defining victory; for Cena, it’s an opportunity to write a final, triumphant end to a storied 23-year career.
Gunther’s tournament victory was earned through a grueling, pay-per-view–quality fight with LA Knight, with the stakes heightened by the knowledge that the winner would face Cena. After a back-and-forth contest, Gunther seized control, first applying a Rear-Naked Choke before shifting into a Modified STF, a direct nod to Cena’s signature hold. Knight battled hard but ultimately had no choice but to submit.
Cena, who first appeared in WWE in 2002, leaves behind a legacy spanning two decades, filled with unforgettable rivalries, main-event classics, and a cultural reach few wrestlers have matched. From his early “Doctor of Thuganomics” persona to becoming the face of the company, he remained a constant fan favorite.
With Gunther awaiting him on December 13, Cena now prepares for the final match of his career, a farewell fitting for one of the biggest names WWE has ever produced.
