WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event
December 13, 2025
Washington, D.C. (Capital One Arena)
Commentary: Michael Cole and Wade Barrett
Results by: Mike Tedesco of Wrestleview.com
“Then. Now. Forever. Together.” The WWE video leads us into the show.
We’re outside Capital One Arena, where a group of fans are doing John Cena’s poses. WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels is in attendance and is seen speaking with Johnny Gargano. WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus is also here. It all started with WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, who is in attendance. WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry, who was in one of Cena’s most memorable segments, is here.
We see John Cena’s locker room.
Video: Paul “Triple H” Levesque narrates a video about John Cena being the G.O.A.T. Indeed, he is.
We go live into the Capital One Arena to see a fireworks display.
Pre-Show Arrivals
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and NXT Champion Oba Femi are shown on split screen. Bayley and Sol Ruca are on split screen. World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee are shown on split screen with Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater. Gunther is shown walking in and receives loud boos.
Joe Tessitore welcomes us to the show and is with Stephanie McMahon. Tessitore notes that McMahon saved John Cena’s job early on by suggesting he adopt a rap gimmick. McMahon is excited and energizes the crowd.
Non-Title Match
Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi
Referee: Dan Engler
The bell rings, and a LOUD “Oba” chant fires up. Rhodes circles around him, and they lock up. Femi pushes the Undisputed WWE Champion back, and Rhodes looks impressed. The crowd starts to sing Rhodes’ name. They lock up, and Rhodes hooks a side headlock before going to a hammerlock. Rhodes quickly gets away from a back elbow, and Femi says he nearly got him. Rhodes goes back to the side headlock. Femi lifts Rhodes and pushes him off. Rhodes slides under a big boot, kicks him, and drops down, but Femi grabs him by the throat for an Irish Curse Backbreaker! Femi punches away at Rhodes in the corner and elbows him in the head. The referee backs Femi up. Femi whips Rhodes hard into the corner. Rhodes fights back, but Femi cuts him off and throws him across the ring! Femi is fired up.
Femi sends Rhodes to the corner, but Rhodes slingshots over him and tries for a snap powerslam, but Femi blocks it. Femi connects with a scoop slam for a two-count. Femi uppercuts Rhodes down and sends him into the ropes before lifting him, doing some theatrics, and hitting a backbreaker for a two-count. Femi clubs Rhodes from the back and goes for a back suplex, but Rhodes flips through. Femi charges, but Rhodes sidesteps him, sending Femi into the ring post shoulder-first. Rhodes slingshots over him and connects with a snap powerslam. Rhodes sizes him up and hits a Cody Cutter for a two-count. Rhodes goes for another Cody Cutter, but Femi catches him. Rhodes gets out and pushes him out of the ring. Rhodes goes for a suicide dive, but Femi cracks him in the jaw with a forearm.
Femi gets in the ring and charges, but Rhodes pulls the top rope down to get him out of the ring. Rhodes hits the ropes and takes him down with a suicide dive. Rhodes is getting fired up. Rhodes gets in the ring and hits the ropes, but Femi quickly gets in the ring and hits a spinebuster. 1… 2… Rhodes kicks out. Rhodes gets out of a slam, drops down, and uppercuts him. Rhodes goes to the ropes, but Femi follows him in and clotheslines him over the top rope. Femi charges around the ring and hits a running uppercut over the commentary table. Femi gets Rhodes in the ring and hits a big spinebuster for a near fall. Rhodes is bleeding from the ear. Femi goes for a Pop-up Falling Powerbomb, but Rhodes gets out, springboards off two ropes, and hits a Cody Cutter! 1… 2… Femi kicks out!
All of a sudden, Drew McIntyre runs in and attacks Rhodes.
Winner by Disqualification: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes
McIntyre starts to punch Rhodes, but Femi pulls McIntyre off. McIntyre shouts at Femi and pokes him in the chest, so Femi shoves him down. Rhodes hits McIntyre with a Cody Cutter, and Femi follows up with a chokeslam. Rhodes grabs his title and tosses Femi’s to him. Rhodes raises Femi’s hand, and they pose in the ring.
Coming up next, Bayley will battle Sol Ruca of NXT.
We see a shot of John Cena’s locker room.
Video: Several celebrities pay tribute to John Cena.
-Commercial Break-
Video: Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Bayley, Rey Mysterio, Charlotte Flair, Jey Uso, Stephanie McMahon, and CM Punk (who became emotional) pay tribute to John Cena.
Tonight will be John Cena’s 726th televised match.
Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers is at ringside. Jon Bernthal is also there. Chuck Zito is shown.
Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria vs. Sol Ruca (NXT) w/ Zaria
Referee: Jason Ayers
They circle the ring and lock up. Bayley hooks a side headlock and applies a waistlock. Ruca tries to fight out, so Bayley hits a headlock takeover. Bayley wrenches the arm, but Ruca does a cartwheel to get out. They go into the ropes, so Bayley drops down. Ruca gets on her hand and walks forward before hitting a head-scissor takeover. Bayley pops up and wrenches the arm again. Ruca quickly hits an X-Factor, and Bayley rolls out of the ring to recover. Ruca grabs at Bayley, but Bayley snaps her off the middle rope. Bayley goes outside and tries to slide under the turnbuckle, but she comes up short. Ruca walks on her hands to avoid a shot on the apron. Ruca goes for a moonsault block to the floor, but she lands on her feet when Bayley moves. Bayley then hits her with a forearm to the jaw.
My feed cut out for a moment. Ruca hits a cartwheel off the top rope into a DDT for a near fall! Bayley fires back with a Bayley-to-Belly for a near fall. Bayley gets her in the tree of woe and drops an elbow for a two-count. Bayley goes for a Rose Plant, but Ruca gets out and hits a Shining Wizard for a near fall. Ruca goes to the ropes for a Sol Snatcher, but Bayley counters out and hits a Rose Plant. 1… 2… Ruca gets a foot on the bottom rope! Bayley furiously punches away at her before hitting a back suplex. Bayley goes to the top rope for a diving elbow drop, but Ruca gets the knees up. Ruca hits a Sol Snatcher, but the impact nearly sends Bayley out of the ring! Ruca pulls Bayley into the ring, but Bayley rolls her up. 1… 2… Ruca rolls through. 1… 2… 3! Sol Ruca wins!
Winner by Pinfall: Sol Ruca
Bayley cannot believe she lost, but she raises Sol Ruca’s hand in victory.
Video: Sheamus, WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam, Corey Graves, Becky Lynch, WWE Hall of Famer Michael Hayes, Tom “Stew” Stewart, Michael Cole, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes pay tribute to John Cena.
Coming up next, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee will battle Je’Von Evans of NXT and Leon Slater of TNA.
-Commercial Break-
Video: WWE Hall of Famer the Undertaker tells John Cena that he’s an OG now. The Rock sends a video message thanking him for his accomplishments.
WWE Hall of Famer Michelle McCool is shown in the front row, along with Mark Henry. Kurt Angle is there. 23 years ago, he faced John Cena in Cena’s debut match. WWE Legend Eve Torres is there. Trish Stratus is also there with Rob Van Dam. We also see Sami Zayn with his son.
Michael Cole pays tribute to all those who called John Cena’s matches with him, like Wade Barrett, Tazz, Corey Graves, JBL, Jim Ross, and Jerry “The King” Lawler.
We go back to Joe Tessitore and Stephanie McMahon. They talk about the NXT talents and how they’ve stepped up to the plate tonight.
Non-Title Tag Team Match
Je’Von Evans (NXT) and Leon Slater (TNA) vs. World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee
Referee: Danilo Anfibio
The bell rings, and Slater and Evans superkick Styles and Lee out of the ring! Evans dives over the top rope onto Styles. Slater gets Lee out of the ring and leaps OVER the ring post to attack him. Slater gets Lee in the ring and hits a diving crossbody block. Evans tags in and hits a frog splash on Lee for a near fall!
Slater tags back in. Evans whips Slater into Lee. Slater hits a snapmare for a two-count. Lee boots Slater away and elbows Evans. Lee sends Slater into the ring post and pulls the top rope down to get Evans out of the ring. Lee goes for a tag, but Slater stops him. Lee flips out of a move and hits a sit-out powerbomb!
Styles and Evans tag in. Styles hits Evans with a strike combo, followed by a sliding forearm. Styles is fired up. Styles avalanches him into the corner with a clothesline, then follows up with an ushigoroshi. Styles hits Slater with a wheelbarrow facebuster. Evans puts Styles on the apron and knocks him to the floor. Styles avoids a baseball slide, but Evans leaps to the bottom rope for a moonsault, but Styles moves and tackles him into the barricade. Lee hits Slater with a hurricanrana off the apron into Styles, who goes for a Styles Clash on the floor! Evans superkicks him and sends Lee into the ring post. Evans gets Styles in the ring and hits an OG Cutter! Slater tags in, and the crowd chants, “This is awesome.” Slater hits a Swanton 450 Splash! 1… 2… Lee dropkicks Evans into Slater to break up the pin!
The crowd is chanting, “This is awesome.” Evans superkicks Lee, but Lee knees him in the face. Lee turns him inside out with an elbow to the mouth. Lee hits Evans with a somersault senton plancha! In the ring, Slater sets up for a Styles Clash on Styles. Styles gets out of it and powers him up for a Styles Clash. Slater gets out of it and drops Styles onto the apron. Styles knocks him back and measures him. Styles goes for a Phenomenal Forearm, but he slips and crashes to the mat! Slater quickly covers for a near fall. Slater heads to the top rope, but Styles powerbombs him out of mid-air before hitting a Styles Clash for the win!
Winners by Pinfall: World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee
AJ Styles and Dragon Lee pose with Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater.
Video: Mayor Kane, R-Truth, The Miz, Big E, Kofi Kingston, Alexa Bliss, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and Xavier Woods pay tribute to John Cena.
John Cena’s last match is next.
-Commercial Break-
Video: Tom Brady, Jimmy Kimmel, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Jalen Brunson, Lil Yachty, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jelly Roll pay tribute to John Cena.
Metro Boomin is at ringside. Medal of Honor winner Edward Byers is also there.
Back to Joe Tessitore and Stephanie McMahon, McMahon is getting emotional thinking about the end of John Cena.
The Miz is in the ring! Miz says it would have been awesome if the Last Time is Now Tour hadn’t pretended he didn’t exist. Miz has been a main character in Cena’s history. Instead, here we are focusing on the up-and-coming superstars. Meanwhile, the guy who beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania in the gear he’s wearing is right here. Miz demands respect.
R-Truth/Ron Cena runs down to a huge pop. R-Truth says Miz did something inappropriate with Nick Aldis’s balls. Miz took someone’s opportunity, and that person is… Joe Hendry!
Say his name, and he appears! Joe Hendry appears on the apron to a HUGE reaction. Miz is furious. The crowd loudly sings Hendry’s theme song. Miz goes after Hendry, but Hendry fights back and hits a fallaway slam. Hendry and R-Truth then pose in the ring. They then do John Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” taunt and give Miz the 10 Knuckle Shuffle. Hendry lifts Miz for a Standing Ovation. Hendry covers, and R-Truth counts the pin. R-Truth and Hendry pose in the ring.
19,232 people are in attendance at the Capital One Arena.
We go back to Joe Tessitore and Stephanie McMahon. They thank John Cena.
Video: The WWE roster pays tribute to John Cena.
“The Ring General” Gunther makes his way to the ring to LOUD boos. The man who retired Goldberg earlier this year will battle John Cena in his final match.
The crowd waits for John Cena. They loudly chant, “Let’s go, Cena,” without a hint of “Cena sucks.” The lights go out.
John Cena’s music hits to a HUGE ovation! The Never Seen Seventeen comes out and looks fired up! The Last Time is indeed NOW. Cena takes the camera from Stew, films him, then returns it. Cena says, “This is for me. We’re gonna go down swinging. Let’s go to work!” Cena runs down to the ring and gets into the ring for his final match. I have literal chills watching this.
Cena goes to the ringside and greets Trish Stratus, RVD, Kurt Angle, Michelle McCool, Sami Zayn, Haku, Kevin Owens, Eve Torres, Elias, and Mark Henry. Cena then gets in the ring as Lilian Garcia does the ring introductions. She does the extended introduction for Cena, and the crowd is absolutely FIRED UP!
“The Ring General” Gunther vs. John Cena
Referee: Chad Patton
The bell rings, and Cena circles the ring before locking up with The Ring General. The crowd is absolutely buzzing. They break apart, and Cena looks around at the crowd. Cena, in his trademark jorts, starts to circle around Gunther again. Gunther goes to the apron, and the crowd boos. Gunther gets back in the ring, and they lock up. Gunther powers Cena down and stomps him as the crowd chants, “A**hole.” Gunther stomps Cena as the crowd chants something even more vulgar. Gunther rocks the chest of the G.O.A.T. with a vicious chop. Gunther chops the 17-time World Champion a second time, and Cena collapses to the mat. Gunther pulls Cena to his feet and chops him back down. The crowd chants, “You tapped out,” referencing him losing to Jey Uso via Submission at WrestleMania earlier this year, costing Gunther the World Heavyweight Championship. Gunther hits Cena with a scoop slam and whips him HARD into the corner. Cena falls to the mat.
The crowd chants, “Let’s go, Cena.” Cena blocks a chop and punches away at Gunther. Gunther reverses a whip, but Cena ducks a clothesline and hits a pair of diving shoulder tackles! Cena hits the third move of doom, the Protobomb/back suplex powerbomb. Cena tells Gunther, “You Can’t See Me,” and hits the 5 Knuckle Shuffle. Cena sets up for an Attitude Adjustment, but Gunther gets out and hits a German Suplex. Gunther runs him over with a clothesline and applies a Sleeper Hold. Cena gets out with a snapmare and applies an STFU! Gunther screams in pain and starts to claw for the ropes. Cena cranks back on Gunther’s head before releasing to pull him into the center of the ring. Gunther kicks him away and hits a Tyrannosaurus Dropkick. Gunther follows up with a stiff Powerbomb before signalling for the end. Gunther goes to the corner and sizes Cena up as he begins to stir. Gunther waits for Cena to get to his feet and runs the G.O.A.T. over with a clothesline.
Gunther shouts at the referee and says Cena will give up tonight. Gunther hits the ropes and runs Cena over with another clothesline. The crowd is loudly booing The Ring General. Gunther looks down at Cena before hitting the ropes to hit another clothesline. Gunther continues to talk trash. Cena slowly gets up, and Gunther hits his fourth clothesline in a row. The crowd chants, “A**hole.” Gunther hits the ropes as Cena gets up and hits a fifth clothesline. Gunther says it’s the end for Cena. Cena is slowly stirring, but he’s having trouble getting up. Cena ducks a sixth clothesline and hits a pair of diving shoulder tackles, followed by a back suplex powerbomb. We see perhaps the final 5 Knuckle Shuffle of his career before lifting Gunther for an AA! 1… 2… Gunther kicks out.
Cena signals for one more AA. Cena waits for Gunther to get up and lifts him onto his shoulders. Gunther slides off and chops Cena in the back of the neck before applying a Sleeper Hold in the center of the ring! There is nowhere for Cena to go. Cena manages to sit up and pull himself to his feet. Cena pushes Gunther off and applies a Sleeper Hold! Cena viciously pulls on Gunther’s neck and skull. Gunther desperately rolls to the bottom rope and gets a break from the hold. Gunther rolls out of the ring to recover. Cena follows him outside, so Gunther chops him. Gunther hits the legend with a back suplex on the apron before whipping him into the steel ring steps. Gunther gets in the ring and gets out on the other side. Gunther positions the other set of ring steps next to the commentary table. Gunther climbs the steps and taunts the crowd, as well as John Cena’s taunts. Gunther attacks Cena and clears the commentary table. Gunther sets up for a Powerbomb off the steps, but Cena fights out and hits an AA off the steps and through the table!
The crowd chants, “This is awesome.” Cena rolls Gunther into the ring and covers. 1… 2… Gunther kicks out. Cena goes to the top rope and waits for Gunther to get up before hitting a diving leg drop on the Big Austrian for a near fall! The crowd chants, “You still got it.” Cena gets up and asks if they want one more “You Can’t See Me.” Cena says this is the LAST one. Cena gets the crowd going as he does the “You Can’t See Me” taunt. Cena hits the ropes, but Gunther pops up and big boots him down. Gunther hits a German Suplex, followed by a Powerbomb! 1… 2… Cena kicks out! Gunther heads to the top rope, but Cena cuts him off and hits an Avalanche AA off the second rope! 1… 2… Gunther barely kicks out!
The crowd once again chants, “This is awesome!” Cena and Gunther slowly get up. They trade blows back and forth. Cena finally ducks a punch and goes for an AA. Gunther lands on his feet and hits a Powerbomb. Gunther heads to the top rope and hits a diving splash! 1… 2… Cena kicks out! Gunther is irate and demands that Cena get up. A “Super Cena” chant lightly picks up. Cena gets up, and Gunther grabs him for a Sleeper Hold. Gunther cinches it in, and Cena drops to a knee. Cena then powers up and powers Gunther’s arms off him. Gunther fights him off and puts the Sleeper Hold back on. Gunther drops him to the mat, but Cena rolls to his knees. Cena powers out once again and lifts him for an AA. Gunther immediately slides off and puts the Sleeper Hold back on. Cena looks to be fading, but he fights to his feet. Gunther jumps on his back, but Cena doesn’t go down. Cena stands up straight and backs Gunther hard into the corner to get out of it. Gunther immediately runs back over and puts the Sleeper Hold back on! One of the greatest WWE Superstars drops to the mat in the Sleeper Hold again, but Cena still fights up! Cena backs Gunther to the corner and catches him charging with an AA! 1… 2… Gunther kicks out.
Gunther immediately pops up and locks Cena back into the Sleeper Hold! The crowd chants, “Don’t give up!” Cena can’t get out of the hold. The referee checks Cena’s arm. One drop… two drops… Cena holds up an OK sign! Cena fights up, but Gunther viciously elbows him in the head a few times before putting him back in the Sleeper Hold. Gunther has him grounded, and Cena, who built his whole career around the phrase, “Never Give Up,” has no choice but to tap out. The career of John Cena is over.
Winner by Submission: “The Ring General” Gunther
Gunther celebrates and leaves the ring. The crowd goes from a stunned silence to chanting, “Bulls**t.”
Cena sits up and smiles. The crowd gives him a great ovation. Cena kneels in the center of the ring and kisses the mat as the crowd rallies and chants, “Thank you, Cena.” Cena stands and thanks the fans. Cena looks to the crowd and goes to bow to each side of the ring. The crowd boos as Paul “Triple H” Levesque heads to the ring with Stephanie McMahon, Shawn Michaels, and many WWE Superstars and legends. The crowd chants, “You f***ed up” at Levesque.
CM Punk and Cody Rhodes get in the ring and tell Cena they’re paying it forward as they place the World Heavyweight Championship and the Undisputed WWE Championship on his shoulders. Cena looks moved by the gesture. The WWE roster and legends surround the ring as the crowd chants, “Thank you, Cena.” Cena holds the titles up before attempting to return them to Punk and Rhodes, but they decline. Cena holds them up again. Cena poses around the ring with the titles as the crowd loudly cheers him. Punk and Rhodes then accept them back from Cena.
Cena goes over to Levesque and embraces him to LOUD boos. Levesque then points to the screen.
Video: The legendary career of John Cena. Cena is shown in a small screen watching this beautifully crafted video package of his career highlights. Vince McMahon, who has largely been written out of all WWE history packages, is shown speaking in the video package.
Back into the Capital One Arena, the crowd and the roster give him a tremendous ovation. Cena bows to all four sides of the ring and salutes the hard camera before bowing. Cena removes his shoes and his arm bands and leaves them in the center of the ring. Cena solemnly walks down the aisle and stops at the entrance. Cena looks around and takes one final bow in a career that has set so many records and delivered so many highlights, taking the business to levels never before seen. Cena salutes, looks into the camera, and says, “Thank you.” Cena walks off and rubs the LED wall as he steps into Gorilla Position.
The last time is over. Thank you for everything, John Cena.
Quick Match Results
— Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes def. NXT Champion Oba Femi via DQ in a Non-Title Match
— Sol Ruca (NXT) def. Bayley
— World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee def. Je’Von Evans (NXT) and Leon Slater (TNA) in a Non-Title Tag Team Match
— “The Ring General” Gunther def. John Cena via Submission
Email – mike@wrestleview.com
X – @MikeTedescoWV
Thanks for reading!