John Cena’s retirement tour kicked off back in January, and after almost a full year of anticipation Cena arrived at the Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. for his final match against Gunther.
Emotions were running high as the fans chanted for John Cena before he entered the arena, and they sang his entrance music word for word as he made his way to the ring. As Cena was making his entrance he stopped to acknowledge Trish Stratus, Rob Van Dam, Kurt Angle, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Elias, Booker T and more stars who were sitting in the front row.
The crowd was firmly behind John Cena as the match kicked off, and Gunther dominated early on while the fans chanted “f*** you Gunther!” The fans continued to taunt The Ring General with “you tapped out” chants.
Cena made a comeback briefly as he landed the Five Knuckle Shuffle. He went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Gunther got out of it. The Ring General managed to connect with a powerbomb and he wore Cena down with a series of clotheslines. The fans reacted by chanting “Super Cena!” John Cena connected with the Five Knuckle Shuffle again and followed up with the Attitude Adjustment for a two count.
The 17 time world champion tried for the Attitude Adjustment again, but Gunther managed to get out of it and lock in the sleeper hold. Cena powered out and locked in a sleeper of his own on Gunther, and Gunther got his foot on the ropes.
Gunther set the steel ring steps up in front of the announce table. He went for a powerbomb and Cena reversed it then put Gunther through the announce table with the Attitude Adjustment. He rolled Gunther back into the ring then pinned him, but Gunther kicked out. Cena connected with the leg drop off the top rope as the fans chanted “you still got it.”
John Cena signaled for the Five Knuckle Shuffle again as he told fans it’s the last one. Gunther jumped up and blocked it with a big boot followed by a powerbomb. He covered Cena who kicked out at two.
Gunther went to the top and Cena knocked him down onto the turnbuckle. Cena then climbed up onto the second rope and hit the Avalanche Attitude Adjustment for another two count.
Cena tried for the AA again, but Gunther reversed it into a powerbomb followed by a splash from the top rope. It wasn’t enough as Cena managed to kick out. The fans chanted “Super Cena” again.
Gunther locked in the sleeper hold as Cena dropped down to his knee. Cena fought out of it and tried for another AA, but Gunther got out of it and locked in the sleeper again as the fans booed. John Cena stood up and Gunther put all of his weight on Cena who broke the hold by ramming Gunther into the corner. However Gunther locked the sleeper in again immediately after.
Cena broke the hold again and connected with the Attitude Adjustment. Gunther kicked out and immediately locked in the sleeper right after. The fans chanted “don’t give up!”
John Cena refused to give up as he stood up and tried to fight out of it, but Gunther pummeled him with elbows to the jaw then locked the sleeper in again. Finally Cena tapped out.
After the match the WWE roster came out to pay their respects to Cena. CM Punk and Cody put their title belts on Cena’s shoulders. He held the belts up as the crowd cheered.
For the final time.
The GOAT.
John Cena. pic.twitter.com/2NluecmaSY
— WWE (@WWE) December 14, 2025