REVEALED: Why WWE Booked John Cena To Lose His Retirement Match At Saturday Night's Main Event

John Cena's pro wrestling career came to an end after 26 years on the December 13 edition of WWE Saturday Night's Main Event as the 17-time world champion, while smiling, tapped out to a choke from Gunther.

The decision to have John Cena lose in his final match was met with anger by the fans inside Capital One Arena in Washington, DC to the point that WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H was loudly booed shortly after the match, and there were chants for All Elite Wrestling during the Saturday Night's Main Event post-show.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer has reported, though, that the booking for Cena to lose his retirement match was what Cena and WWE wanted, with the idea that it was about "making someone on the way out." In this case it was Gunther, who received such nuclear heat for the win that he had to be escorted to his tour bus by security.

Within WWE, most on the creative side of the company were in favour of the finish to Cena's last match, Fightful Select noted. A number of talents wanted Cena to win his final match, but they also understood Gunther winning and the booking moving forward.

Pro wrestlers have traditionally lost their retirement matches, although there have been notable exceptions, including Sting at AEW Revolution 2024 and The Undertaker at WWE WrestleMania 36.