It’s official: WWE has confirmed that John Cena will step into the ring one final time on December 13, 2025, to face Gunther during the blockbuster Saturday Night’s Main Event. According to WWE insiders, Cena requested Gunther for his farewell match—wanting his career to end opposite “the next era’s most dominant force.”
The announcement has drawn immediate comparisons to the emotional retirements of Ric Flair and Shawn Michaels, marking what many expect to be one of WWE’s most unforgettable nights.
The Legacy Cena Leaves Behind
Few performers have defined modern wrestling like John Cena. Over two decades, the 17-time World Champion has won every major title, headlined countless pay-per-views, and inspired generations of fans and wrestlers.
As veteran broadcaster Michael Cole said, “Cena’s rivalries helped define modern WWE.” With his final match now set, many believe this closing chapter will only deepen a legacy already etched in wrestling history.
Rivalries That Shaped a Legend
Every wrestling icon is measured by the battles that tested them most. Cena’s story is written in his rivalries—those high-stakes, emotional, and sometimes brutal encounters that built his legend. As one 2025 WWE panelist put it, “You’re only as great as the company you keep in the ring.”
Here’s a look at the names who helped define John Cena’s extraordinary journey—leading up to his final challenge against Gunther.
1. Randy Orton
The Viper and Cena shared one of WWE’s most enduring rivalries, spanning championship bouts, personal grudges, and years of mutual evolution. Beginning in the early 2000s, their saga produced multiple “Match of the Year” contenders.
“Facing John always brought out my best,” Orton told WWE.com in 2023. Their chemistry and longevity remain the gold standard for modern WWE storytelling.
2. Edge
Edge, “The Rated-R Superstar,” was Cena’s perfect foil—relentless, cunning, and willing to cross any line. Their clashes, including the brutal 2006 TLC match at Unforgiven, pushed both to new heights.
“Every match with John was a battle for pride and respect,” Edge recalled in a 2021 interview. Their rivalry remains one of the most personal and career-defining in WWE history.
3. Brock Lesnar
Whenever Brock Lesnar faced Cena, it felt seismic. From their early-2000s bouts to the shocking 2014 SummerSlam, where Lesnar delivered 16 suplexes, their confrontations embodied raw, athletic warfare.
“Facing Cena was a true test,” Lesnar told ESPN. Their matches were brutal, unpredictable, and unforgettable—leaving lasting scars and career-defining moments for both men.
4. The Rock
The Rock vs. John Cena rivalry transcended wrestling. Their back-to-back WrestleMania main events (XXVIII and XXIX) became cultural events, blending respect and real-life competition.
“Sharing the ring with Cena was electric every single time,” The Rock told Rolling Stone. The feud bridged eras and drew global audiences, cementing both as crossover icons.
5. CM Punk
Cena’s battles with CM Punk redefined what WWE storytelling could be. Their Money in the Bank 2011 match is still hailed as one of the greatest of all time. “Those matches were about more than championships—they were about changing the game,” Punk said in a 2022 podcast.
Their rivalry fueled WWE’s “Reality Era,” giving fans a raw, authentic edge that still resonates today.
6. AJ Styles
When AJ Styles arrived in WWE in 2016, his clashes with Cena instantly captivated fans. Their SummerSlam 2016 showdown was hailed as an “instant classic.”
Cena later tweeted, “AJ is one of the absolute best I’ve ever been in the ring with.” Their trilogy blended experience and athleticism, uniting two generations of wrestling excellence.
7. Triple H
When Triple H and Cena met at WrestleMania 22, they embodied a symbolic passing of the torch. “With Cena, you knew it would be physical and dramatic,” Triple H said in a 2018 interview.
Their battles showcased WWE’s evolution—two alpha competitors representing different eras, locked in fierce respect and competition.
8. Batista
Few rivalries felt as evenly matched as Cena versus Batista. Both rose through WWE’s ranks in parallel, meeting at WrestleMania 26 in a clash of equals. “We pushed each other to be better, every night,” Batista said on WWE Backstage in 2021.
Their confrontations were emotional, hard-hitting, and symbolic of an era defined by larger-than-life superstars.
9. Kurt Angle
Cena’s WWE debut came against Kurt Angle in 2002—a moment that introduced the world to his “Ruthless Aggression.” “I saw greatness in John from the start,” Angle told CBS Sports in 2016.
Their early encounters set the tone for Cena’s entire career—heart, grit, and determination against one of the sport’s most technically gifted performers.
10. Kevin Owens
Kevin Owens made an unforgettable main-roster debut by defeating Cena cleanly at Elimination Chamber 2015. “Cena gave me the platform to show the world who I was,” Owens said on Talk Is Jericho.
Their feud bridged WWE’s past and future, showcasing Cena’s willingness to elevate new talent while still delivering top-tier performances.
11. Shawn Michaels
It was pure artistry when Shawn Michaels met Cena—especially in their nearly hour-long 2007 London match. “John brought an energy to every match that made you rise to the occasion,” Michaels told Sportskeeda in 2020.
Their WrestleMania 23 encounter remains a masterclass in storytelling and respect between two of wrestling’s most gifted performers.
12. Bray Wyatt
Bray Wyatt’s eerie, psychological battles with Cena were unlike anything else. Their WrestleMania 30 feud and the surreal “Firefly Fun House” match at WrestleMania 36 showcased WWE at its most creative.
“Facing Cena meant confronting my own legacy,” Wyatt said in a WWE.com interview. These encounters proved Cena could thrive in bold, unconventional narratives.
13. JBL (John “Bradshaw” Layfield)
JBL was the gatekeeper Cena had to defeat to reach superstardom. Their vicious “I Quit” match at Judgment Day 2005 remains one of WWE’s most brutal.
“John proved his toughness against me,” JBL said on Broken Skull Sessions. That rivalry transformed Cena from rising star to bona fide main-event player.
14. Cody Rhodes
During Cena’s 2023 farewell tour, Cody Rhodes had the chance to face him—an encounter Rhodes later called “an honor for any wrestler.”
Their matches symbolized transition, highlighting Rhodes’ emergence as a new-generation leader while allowing fans to witness Cena gracefully pass the torch.
15. Gunther: The Final Chapter
On October 21, 2025, the WWE officially announced that Gunther—the two-time World Heavyweight Champion known as “The Ring General”—will face Cena in his final match. “Gunther is the challenge every legend wants for their swan song,” commentator Corey Graves said.
With his powerhouse style and dominance, Gunther represents the perfect test for Cena’s farewell, fusing respect, power, and generational change into one epic conclusion.
Fans and Experts React to the Matchup
The wrestling world is buzzing. “It’s the perfect generational passing of the torch,” said journalist Dave Meltzer. Fans have flooded social media with tributes to Cena’s career and predictions for his final match.
The excitement feels different this time—less about the outcome, more about witnessing the moment that bridges two eras.
Cena’s Legacy Sealed—The Torch Is Passed
As December 13 approaches, anticipation builds for what promises to be one of WWE’s most emotional nights. “There’s no more fitting way for a legend to go out,” longtime producer Bruce Prichard said.
Whether he wins or loses, Cena’s impact is already secure—his story woven through every rival he ever faced and every fan he inspired. And now, that legacy continues in the hands of the next great champion.