If you’re looking for highlights, results, and live coverage of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event: John Cena’s Final Match, we have you covered right here.
This is it. The illustrious in-ring career of WWE icon John Cena comes to a close at Saturday Night’s Main Event at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The G.O.A.T. of professional wrestling, 48, embarked on an unprecedented Farewell Tour during the last calendar year, constantly reminding fans that “After This, U Can’t See Me.” One final barnstorming run across the globe, which began at 36 remaining dates, now comes down to one last dance in the nation’s capital.
Cena will take on The Ring General, Gunther, who retired Goldberg earlier this year and earned the right to be Cena’s final opponent by winning The Last Time Is Now Tournament.
Before Cena’s final ring walk, emerging stars from NXT will face established top stars in exhibition matches, per Cena’s request.
Saturday Night’s Main Event begins at 8 p.m. ET and will stream on Peacock.
10:17 Cena Takes a Final Bow
“It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years.”
After watching WWE’s emotional tribute video, Cena left his shoes and wristbands in the ring and headed back up the ramp. There, Cena scanned the sold-out arena, took one final bow, and disappeared into the night.
Thank you, John Cena.
10:10 WWE Locker Room Pays Respect
After Gunther’s stunning upset, the entire WWE locker room poured down the ramp and circled the ring to show support for Cena. Cody Rhodes and CM Punk handed Cena their respective titles, with the G.O.A.T. hoisting both belts above his shoulders one last time.
10:05 Cena… Gives Up
After powering through Gunther’s unyielding sleeper hold attempts, John Cena finally faded and tapped out for the first time in over 20 years. The Ring General has officially spoiled Cena’s storybook ending.
9:58 Super Cena
Gunther kicks out of a third Attitude Adjustment — this time, an avalanche A.A. from the top rope. How much more can The Ring General take? How much gas does Cena have left in the tank?
9:55 Through the Announce Table!
John Cena reverses Gunther’s powerbomb attempt and sent the Ring General crashing through the announce table with his second A.A. of the night.
9:48 Cena Nearly Gets the Win
John Cena nearly gets the three-count after hitting Gunther with an Attitude Adjustment, preceded by a pair of Five Knuckle Shuffles.
9:40 One Last Introduction
Lilian Garcia delivers one last powerful introduction, befitting the greatest of all time.
9:36 Let’s Go To Work, Stu
John Cena is met with arguably the biggest pop of the year as he sprints down the ramp to “go to work, one last time.” Cena then hopped out of the ring to take a moment and greet the legends sitting ringside.
9:32 The Last Time Is NOW
Gunther is all business as marches down to the ring, looking to make John Cena “give up” in the final match of his career.
9:25 Say His Name and He Appears
The Miz interrupted Saturday night’s regularly scheduled programming to declare that he’d been overlooked during John Cena’s retirement tour.
But not so fast — R Truth marched down to the ring to rebuff that Miz actually cheated his way into a second appearance in The Last Time Is Now Tournament. Whose spot did he take? None other than Joe Hendry.
As soon as Miz said his name, Hendry appeared. Him and Truth humbled Miz by delivering a dual Five Knuckle Shuffle and celebrating with the crowd.
9:13 AJ Styles & Dragon Lee def. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
AJ Styles managed to rebound from a botched Phenomenal Forearm, catching Leon Slater in the air to deliver his signature Styles Clash for the pinfall.
Slater and Je’Von Evans were flying high early but the veterans quickly recovered and took control of the match. The rising stars punched back when Evans hit Styles with an OG Cutter, then dragged him over to the corner for Slater to land a Swanton 450. They nearly had the three-count until Dragon Lee broke up the pin.
It came down to the past and present of TNA, as Slater tried to hit Styles with his own signature move, the Phenomenal One reversed it and ultimately landed the finishing move himself.
9:03 AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater Tag-Team Up Next
WWE World Tag Team champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee will face Je’Von Evans and TNA X Division champ Leon Slater in an exhibition tag-team match. Both Evans and Slater are just 21 years old.
9:00 Now THAT’s a Celebrity Row
Michelle McCool, Kurt Angle, and Trish Stratus headline a star-studded celebrity row sitting ringside to watch John Cena’s final match.
8:55 WWE Legends Pay Tribute to Cena
“You’re an OG now.”
The Undertaker and The Rock sent in video messages congratulating John Cena on an illustrious career.
8:47 Sol Ruca Def. Bayley
After landing her signature Sol Snatcher, Sol Ruca reversed Bayley’s attempted roll-up pin to snag the biggest win of her career against the WWE veteran.
From a springboard backflip to a cartwheel DDT off the top rope, Ruca frustrated Bayley throughout much of the match with her dazzling display of athleticism and high-flying ability.
The NXT standout’s impressive performance earned a handshake from Bayley after the match.
8:35 Bayley Faces Sol Ruca Next
Bayley, one of WWE’s original Four Horsewomen, ushers in the next generation of talent in an exhibition match against rising star Sol Ruca.
8:25 A Moment Between Champions
After the interfering Drew McIntyre cut the match short, Rhodes grabbed both belts, tossed the NXT strap to Femi, and raised the newcomer’s hand in the center of the ring.
Femi made a dazzling first impression on the main roster, taking it right to the champ with an electric display of power and athleticism. His punctuated his debut with a sprinting, European uppercut over the top of the announce table that busted up Rhodes’ eardrum.
8:22 Enter Drew McIntyre
The referee called for the bell after Drew McIntyre ambushed Cody Rhodes in the ring. Oba Femi jumped to the American Nightmare’s aid, with the pair working together to dispatch the Scottish Warrior.
8:14 Oba Femi Makes an Emphatic First Impression
NXT champ Oba Femi looks far from outmatched in his main roster debut against the WWE champion, overpowering the QB1 early.
8:08 Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi Open the Show
WWE champion Cody Rhodes makes the first ring-walk of the night for his non-title, champion vs. champion match against NXT champ Oba Femi — who’s making his main roster debut.
8:00 The Last Time Is Now!
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event: John Cena’s Final Match is officially underway, streaming live on Peacock.
Saturday Night’s Main Event: John Cena’s Final Match Card
- John Cena vs. Gunther
- Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi — Non-Title, “Champion vs. Champion” Exhibition Match
- AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater — Tag-Team Exhibition Match
- Bayley vs. Sol Ruca — Exhibition Match
