John Cena will face Gunther in his retirement bout on WWE’s Saturday Night Main Event on December 13.
The “Ring General” earned his spot by defeating LA Knight in the finals of the “Last Time is Now” tournament on the December 5 episode of SmackDown.
Given Gunther’s reputation as one of the best pure wrestlers in WWE, his selection as Cena’s final opponent is hardly a surprise. The role had long been rumored and he entered the month-long 16-man tournament as the favorite to win.
Gunther also has a history of ending the careers of WWE legends on a high note, having defeated Goldberg in his final match at the same event in July.
This upcoming fight will mark the first ever meeting between Cena and Gunther in the ring. Gunther will have the chance to end Cena’s career with a decision victory, while the 17-time WWE Champion could look to cap off his storied career with a final victory at the ‘Ring General’.
Friday Night on SmackDown, Knight and Gunther fought with the intensity of a championship match, with Cena’s surrender clearly hanging in the balance. After a fierce exchange, Gunther locked Knight in a rear-naked choke.
Knight briefly broke free, only for Gunther to overpower him again with a modified STF, sending a pointed message to Cena. Despite Knight’s valiant resistance, he eventually submitted, allowing Gunther to assert his dominance and set the stage for his showdown with Cena.
Since his debut in 2002, Cena has been a cornerstone of WWE, delivering countless matches and iconic moments beloved by fans around the world.
Now, the “Never Seen 17” will take its final bow, with Gunther as its final opponent. The WWE Universe now awaits what promises to be an emotional farewell for one of wrestling’s biggest stars.
