John Cena’s final WWE opponent confirmed for retirement match at SNME

John Cena is set to face Gunther in his retirement match at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13.

The ‘Ring General’ earned this opportunity by defeating LA Knight in the final of the ‘The Last Time is Now’ tournament during the December 5 episode of SmackDown.

Renowned as one of WWE’s finest pure wrestlers, Gunther's being chosen as Cena’s final opponent comes as little surprise. He had long been rumored to be in line for the match and was the favorite to win the 16-person tournament, which had spanned over a month.

Gunther also has a history of ending the careers of WWE legends on a high note, having defeated Goldberg in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in July.

This upcoming bout will mark the first-ever encounter between Cena and Gunther in the ring. Gunther will have the chance to send Cena off with a win, while the 17-time WWE Champion could choose to conclude his storied career with a final victory over the “Ring General.”

On Friday Night SmackDown, Knight and Gunther battled with the intensity of a championship match, with Cena’s retirement clearly on the line. 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 ultimately submitted, allowing Gunther to assert his dominance and set the stage for his showdown with Cena.

Since debuting in 2002, Cena has been a cornerstone of WWE, delivering countless iconic matches and moments beloved by fans worldwide. Now, the ‘Never Seen 17’ will take his final bow, with Gunther standing as his last opponent.

The WWE Universe can now look forward to an unforgettable farewell for one of wrestling’s greatest stars.