John Cena’s final WWE match was filled with unexpected moments, emotion, and some confusion, but notably, Donald Trump was absent despite being invited. Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer Daily Updates revealed that neither Vince McMahon nor Donald Trump attended the event. The Saturday night main event took place in Washington, DC, with Trump choosing not to attend even though he was nearby.
Meltzer noted, “Neither Vince McMahon nor Donald Trump came to the show. Trump was attending the Army vs. Navy football game close by and could have been at both events, but he made a different choice.” Earlier rumors had suggested that both men might appear, given Trump’s historical involvement in WWE and Cena’s significance to the company, but Fightful Select confirmed that neither was expected backstage and that WWE staff were not informed to prepare for their arrival.
Another statement from Fightful Select stressed, “Vince McMahon and Donald Trump were not at the show and had no plans to attend. No one was notified they would be part of the event.” While some fans recalled Trump’s infamous role in the “Battle of the Billionaires” at WrestleMania 23, honoring Cena’s 20 years in WWE, Trump opted to attend the Army vs. Navy game held a few blocks from Capital One Arena instead.
Although some fans hoping for nostalgia were disappointed by his absence, it did not affect the intensity of Cena’s emotional farewell match against Gunther, which marked the end of one of WWE’s most celebrated careers. Whether Trump’s absence was due to strategic, political, or personal reasons, it was clear that Cena’s exit was memorable without any surprise appearances.
What are your thoughts? Should Trump have attended John Cena’s farewell, or was WWE better off keeping the event focused on the sport rather than attracting extra attention? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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Fan Take: This news highlights how WWE’s legacy moments can stand strong on their own without relying on celebrity appearances. For fans, it reinforces the importance of celebrating the athletes and the sport, signaling a potential shift toward a more wrestling-focused era in WWE.
