WWE’s choice to have John Cena submit in Gunther’s retirement match upset many fans, but an alternative plan for the main event on Saturday Night would have sparked even greater controversy. The outcome of Cena’s final bout was largely influenced by Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, WWE’s chief content officer.
Cena’s tap out, accompanied by a smile, surprised the crowd at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., leading to boos and ongoing debate a week later. WWE wisely altered their initial plan to have Cena and Gunther’s match open the show instead of closing it. Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Dave Meltzer highlighted that if Cody Rhodes versus Oba Femi had been last, it would have been a major error.
Had Cena and Gunther started the event and ended their match as they did, the backlash would have been far worse. Most attendees came to bid farewell to the 17-time world champion, and seeing him leave early would have negatively impacted the rest of the show. Oba Femi and Cody Rhodes scored impressive early wins but were disqualified due to interference by Drew McIntyre, which fans didn’t appreciate. The event also featured an NXT exhibition segment with Oba facing Rose, Sol Luka defeating Bayley and Jevon Evans, and TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater losing to AJ Styles.
The inclusion of NXT talent on Cena’s retirement night was his idea, not WWE’s. While WWE intended a straightforward tribute show, Cena wanted to spotlight rising stars. He explained in a podcast that his goal was to drown out the usual noise and let the younger talent shine for one night, giving them something meaningful to strive for.
During his retirement year, Cena visited NXT and the Performance Center, offering guidance to up-and-coming wrestlers. He praised Rhodes as having a very bright future and revealed that his final WWE toast was with Jevon Evans.
Fan Take: This development is significant for WWE fans because it shows John Cena’s commitment to nurturing new talent, ensuring the company’s future beyond his era. It also highlights WWE’s careful storytelling decisions to manage fan expectations and preserve the legacy of one of its biggest stars.
