John Cena appeared in various media interviews ahead of his final match on Saturday night, just as his opponent Gunther did. Known as “The Ring General,” Gunther appeared on ESPN’s “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith and Shea Cornette, where he discussed his role as the antagonist who made Cena submit with a sleeper hold in the Washington, D.C. ring. When asked if he enjoyed spoiling moments for others, Gunther admitted that he did.
“I like getting under people’s skin and making them angry,” he said. “I’m not very friendly; I thrive when I upset people a bit.”
Just days before experiencing the surge of fan excitement, Gunther forced the 17-time champion to tap out. The audience loudly booed him and even called for security to escort him out. Angry fans also shouted expletives and “AEW” at Paul “Triple H” Levesque after the event, likely in response to his booking choices. On ESPN, Gunther mentioned that despite the fans’ frustration, there is often a “torch-extinguishing” moment when a major star retires.
“John Cena represents a generation of WWE talent and also symbolizes the new era,” Gunther noted. “WWE has evolved to feature a diverse and international roster, which I believe is a great reflection of the present. This moment marks the passing of the torch to the future.”
Fan Take: This moment is significant for WWE fans because it signals a clear shift in the company’s landscape, with new talents like Gunther stepping into the spotlight. It could mark the beginning of a fresh era in WWE, where diversity and global influence play a bigger role in shaping the future of the sport.
