After his WWE retirement match, John Cena’s legendary career was praised across sports and wrestling. WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker reflected on their first on-screen interaction in 2002, when Cena lost to Kurt Angle in his main roster debut and received praise backstage. Kurt Angle also acknowledged Cena, noting how that debut launched a career that grew into a record 17-time world championship run over 23 years.
Tributes also came from major sports teams and leagues. The NFL’s Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, and New York Jets, along with MLB and NBA teams including the Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Phoenix Suns, shared posts celebrating Cena. Many referenced his early “Doctor of Thuganomics” era, when he wore local sports jerseys during appearances.
At Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C., Cena faced Gunther in the final match of his career. Gunther earned the spot by winning the Last Time Is Now tournament and stated his goal was to make Cena tap out. Regardless of the result, the day was focused on recognizing Cena’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in sports entertainment.
Many fans stayed silent afterward, and some children were shown crying, showing how emotional the moment was for longtime and new Cena fans. Despite chants of “don’t give up,” Cena still lost, and the ending left many feeling disappointed rather than celebratory.
From a business view, however, the retirement tour was very successful. Tickets were extremely expensive, with an average price of about $867, and WWE made huge money from merchandise and live events. Experts estimate WWE could lose between $40 million and $70 million per year without Cena’s regular presence.
CM Punk Says John Cena Deserved to Hold the Title
CM Punk praised John Cena during the post-show of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, calling Cena someone who earned, not just deserved, the honor he received on his retirement night. Cena wrestled his final match at the event and lost to Gunther by submission.
After the match, CM Punk entered the ring alongside WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. Both men handed their championship belts to Cena, who walked around the ring raising them to the fans one last time. Punk explained that he and Cody came up during the period when Cena was first rising to the top and that Cena played a major role in helping Punk reach his own level in WWE.
Punk said his rivalry with Cena eventually turned into mutual respect, noting that the first time they locked up in the ring, there was instant chemistry. He described their connection as something special that developed naturally through competition.
Punk also praised the match between Gunther and Cena, calling Gunther a hard-hitting, old-school professional wrestler and saying he proved that reputation in the ring. He placed Cena among the greatest names in wrestling history, alongside figures like Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, and The Rock.
Viral Backlash Explodes Against Triple H After John Cena Loses Retirement Match
After John Cena’s retirement match loss to GUNTHER at Saturday Night’s Main Event, strong backlash was directed at Triple H. Cena tapped out at the end of the match, and the live crowd reacted with heavy boos toward Triple H. The negative response continued online, where Triple H became the main target of criticism for the booking of Cena’s final match.
On social media, many fans openly blamed Triple H and WWE’s creative leadership. Several posts described the finish as disrespectful, especially the closing visuals involving Cena and Gunther. Others argued that Cena’s legacy deserved a different ending and said the loss felt wrong for such a historic moment.
FAQs
Q. Is John Cena retiring from WWE?
A. Yes. John Cena has announced his retirement from WWE and will have his final match at WrestleMania 41 in 2025 after more than 20 years.
Q. Why did John Cena retire?
A. John Cena said he retired because he feels he can no longer perform at the level WWE demands. He also cited his age, 48.
Q. How did John Cena lose his last match?
A. John Cena lost after Gunther hit a powerbomb and then forced him to submit with a Sleeper Hold.
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