In a stunning turn of events at WWE’s latest pay-per-view, John Cena, one of the company’s most celebrated superstars, lost to Gunther in his final WWE match.
The bout, which lasted approximately 20 minutes, ended with Cena submitting to Gunther, shocking fans and marking the end of his 23-year wrestling career.
Fans flooded social media with tributes. One wrote, “He made my childhood, mehn going home early after school to watch him. There was something about his song intro. That beat could make me just come to the TV. I will miss him!!”
The Tradition of Losing in Retirement
In professional wrestling, it is common for retiring stars to intentionally lose their final match. This tradition allows the next generation of wrestlers to gain credibility while symbolically passing the torch.
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Cena’s loss to Gunther follows this long-standing practice, signaling that his era has concluded. This is not the first time a WWE superstar has willingly submitted in their final match; notable examples include The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels.
The Undertaker’s Farewell
The Undertaker, one of WWE’s most iconic figures, also followed this tradition. In his final match at Survivor Series 2020, The Undertaker lost to AJ Styles. His defeat allowed WWE to highlight newer talent while giving fans closure.
The symbolic loss reinforced the narrative that The Undertaker’s era was officially over, maintaining respect for his legacy.
Shawn Michaels’ Retirement Match
Shawn Michaels ended his career in a high-profile retirement match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVI. Known as the “Streak vs. Career” match, Michaels lost, giving fans an emotional conclusion to his career.
Like Cena, Michaels’ defeat followed wrestling tradition, passing the spotlight to younger performers while preserving his legendary status.
Fans React to Cena’s Loss
Fans’ reactions were divided, with many expressing sorrow, nostalgia, or frustration over the finish.
User Sergio S. commented, “It was a symbolic ending honestly, I’m sure it was John’s idea. It shows it’s truly over because John Cena gave up.” In contrast, Don noted, “This is like how WWE pays John Cena more than 25 years of career? Come on.” Others were more critical of the match itself.
User initialpanda35 said, “The match was literally 20 minutes of sleeper holds and clotheslines. Cena deserved a better match with a better finish.”
Despite criticism, some fans understood the significance. Mr. Mister shared, “Me and Cena are the only people who understand why he had to tap. Only true fans know the meaning.”
Another fan highlighted the emotional weight, noting that after 23 years of living by the “Never Give Up” motto, Cena’s final submission served as a passing of the torch while respecting wrestling traditions.
A Legacy Remembered
John Cena’s retirement marks the end of an era in WWE. His decision to lose his final match preserves the tradition of passing the torch while honoring his career.
From his world championships to his iconic persona, Cena leaves a legacy that will be remembered by fans for generations.
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