Cena’s goodbye sparks outrage and heartbreak among WWE fans worldwide
A farewell meant to honor a legend
For readers unfamiliar with professional wrestling, WWE is the world’s largest wrestling promotion, blending scripted athletic competition with long running storylines and larger than life characters. John Cena has been one of its central figures for more than two decades, known even outside wrestling for his film roles and pop culture presence.
That is why expectations were high when Cena stepped into the ring for the final match of his career at Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C. According to Fox Sports, the show was framed as the closing chapter of a 23 year run that helped define modern WWE.
How the final match ended
Cena’s career concluded when he submitted to a sleeper hold applied by Gunther in front of an announced crowd of 19,232 at Capital One Arena. According to reporting by the New York Post, Cena escaped the hold multiple times and delivered one last Attitude Adjustment, his signature move, before being trapped again.
After the hold was locked in for the sixth time, Cena appeared to smile and wink at the camera before tapping out. The moment was notable because, according to WWE statistics cited by Fox Sports, Cena had only lost by submission four times previously in his entire career, the last coming in 2004.
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On commentary, longtime announcer Michael Cole declared, “Tonight, professional wrestling destroyed sports entertainment,” a line that immediately drew attention for its symbolism and finality.
Why fans reacted with anger
The ending triggered a strong and immediate reaction inside the arena. According to the New York Post, chants of “bulls–t” and “You f–ked up!” echoed through the building moments after the bell.
For longtime fans, frustration stemmed less from Cena losing and more from how it happened. Retiring stars often lose their final match as a sign of respect to the next generation, but many felt the extended submission and on camera wink made the moment feel forced rather than organic.
When Triple H, WWE’s head of creative and a former star himself, appeared after the match, he was loudly booed. According to Fox Sports, some fans even chanted for rival promotion AEW, a rare public rejection of WWE leadership during a farewell ceremony.
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A symbolic goodbye inside the ring
Despite the backlash, Cena still received applause as he acknowledged the crowd. According to WWE coverage, he left his sneakers and wristbands in the ring, a long standing wrestling tradition signaling retirement.
Standing in the entranceway, Cena addressed fans directly, saying, “It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years, thank you.”
Backstage, the locker room emptied in tribute. According to the New York Post, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk presented Cena with their championship belts, informally recognizing him as “The Last Real World Champion.”
What the ending says about WWE’s future direction
Gunther, who ended Cena’s career, is already a two time World Heavyweight champion and has been positioned as part of WWE’s next era. According to an interview with the New York Post earlier this week, Gunther said matches like this are crucial to elevating his status within the company.
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“I think the rest will naturally follow,” he said, expressing confidence that defeating Cena could help cement him as a top figure.
For WWE, the controversial farewell highlights a larger creative challenge, balancing respect for legacy stars with the push for new ones. Cena’s year long retirement tour included 36 appearances and 15 matches, a rare heel turn, and a record breaking 17th world championship. According to Fox Sports, many fans felt the final stretch failed to live up to its promise, a sentiment that exploded into the open on his final night.
Sources: Fox Sports, New York Post, WWE
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