By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event
December 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C., at Capital One Arena
Simulcast live on Peacock (and Netflix internationally)
Joe Tessitore opened the show and narrated recorded shots of Shawn Michaels (talking with Johnny Gargano), Trish Stratus, Kurt Angle, and Mark Henry… Actor Jon Bernthal and Metro Boomin were shown in separate locations in the crowd… John Cena’s dressing room door was shown…
A Paul Levesque-narrated video package on Cena aired… Pyro shot off inside the arena… Tessitore narrated split-screen shots of Cody Rhodes and Oba Femi, Bayley and Sol Ruca, the teams of AJ Styles and Dragon Lee, and Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater. Gunther was shown walking backstage while the crowd booed…
Tessitore stood on a platform with a desk and introduced Stephanie McMahon as his co-host. She spoke about how it was electric in the building, and recalled Cena saying he wants to shake the hand of the person who becomes an 18-time champion. Stephanie asked the fans if they were ready…
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance while being introduced by ring announcer Lilian Garcia. Michael Cole and Wade Barrett checked in from their ringside broadcast table. Cody looked emotional as he stood in the ring and looked around. NXT Champion Oba Femi made his entrance while the fans chanted along to his entrance theme…
1. WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi in a non-title match. Cole noted that Oba joined WWE just three years earlier as part of the NIL program. Cody and Oba met in the middle of the ring and had a few words before locking up. The fans sang Cody’s name.
The early story was Oba using his power advantage to get the better of Cody. Oba charged Cody, who moved, causing Oba to go through the ropes and hit the ring post. Cody hit a Cody Cutter for a near fall. Oba stuffed another Cudy Cutter attempt.
Cody sent Oba to the floor and hit him with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Oba put Cody down with a spinebuster for a near fall. There were some “Oba” chants. Cody hit the dropdown uppercut. Oba clotheslined Cody over the top rope to the floor.
Oba exited the ring and hit Cody with a running uppercut that sent both men tumbling over the broadcast table. Cody came up bleeding from his right ear. Back in the ring, Oba performed another spinebuster for a near fall.
A graphic listed that John Cena’s last match was three matches away. Oba went for a powerbomb, but Cody slipped away, ran up the ropes, and performed a Cody Cutter from the top rope for a near fall.
Drew McIntyre entered the ring and attacked Cody to end the match in a no-contest.
WWE Champion Cody Rhodes fought NXT Champion Oba Femi to an apparent no-contest in 9:10 in a non-title match.
After the match, Oba confronted McIntyre and shoved him to the mat. Cody hit McIntyre with a Cody Cutter. Oba followed up with a chokeslam on McIntyre, who rolled out of the ring. Cody grabbed both title belts. Cody tossed the NXT Championship belt to Oba. There were some boos.
Cody raised Oba’s arm, and the fans cheered. Cole said Cody is the present, and Oba is the future, but he doesn’t think the future is too far away. Oba raised Cody’s arm, and they shook hands while Cody’s entrance theme played…
Powell’s POV: Well, it was fun while it lasted. My reading glasses just snapped out of the blue during the opening match. Oh, and that description also applies to the match. I didn’t expect a clean finish, but the lack of creativity in just having McIntyre interfere was disappointing. By the way, WrestleTix listed the venue as being set up for 19,274 with 19,176 tickets distributed roughly 90 minutes before the show.
Cole and Barrett praised Oba Femi while they were shown at their desk. They hyped the women’s match, and then Cena’s locker door was shown.
A video aired with the NBC Today Show crew, Tyrese Haliburton, Jordana Brewster, Eli Manning, Snoop Dogg, Peyton Manning, and Jimmy Fallon all wishing Cena well in his retirement… [C]
A video aired with Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Bayley, Rey Mysterio, Charlotte Flair, Jey Uso, Stephanie McMahon, and CM Punk all paying tribute to John Cena. Punk was teary-eyed as he said he wouldn’t be back in WWE if it wasn’t for Cena. Contrary to popular belief, Punk said Cena inspires him…
Tyrese Haliburton, Jon Bernthal, and Chuck Zito were also shown in the crowd…
Bayley made her entrance with Lyra Valkyria, and then Sol Ruca came out with Zaria…
2. Bayley (w/Lyra Valkyria) vs. Sol Ruca (w/Zaria). The broadcast team played up the idea that Bayley had everything to lose while facing an NXT wrestler. Ruca performed a nice handstand into a huracanrana. A short time later, Ruca went for a moonsault off the middle rope that Bayley avoided on the floor. Bayley hit Ruca.
Ruca came back moments later with a handstand into a backflip over the top rope onto Bayley on the floor. Back in the ring, Bayley came back and performed a sunset bomb that drove Ruca into the corner. Bayley covered Ruca for a two count.
Ruca regained offensive control. Ruca stood on the top turnbuckle and did a cartwheel on the top rope into a DDT on Bayley, which led to a near fall. Bayley came right back with a Bayley To Belly for a near fall of her own. Cole said he meant no disrespect to NXT, but it’s a different ball game on the main roster with 19,000 fans, celebrities in attendance, etc.
Ruca avoided a Rose Plant and then hit a knee strike. Ruca went for her Sol Snatcher finisher, but Bayley cut her off and hit the Rose Plant. Bayley had Ruca pinned, but Ruca’s foot touched the bottom rope to break it. Bayley went for a top rope elbow drop, but Ruca put her knees up.
Ruca rolled up Bayley, who kicked out. Ruca hit the Sol Snatcher. Bayley nearly rolled out of the ring, but Ruca stopped her. Ruca dragged Bayley toward the middle of the ring. Bayley rolled up Ruca for a near fall, and then Ruca reversed it and got the three count.
Sol Ruca defeated Bayley in 9:25.
After the match, a smiling Zaria entered the ring and celebrated with Ruca. Valkyria comforted Bayley, who then walked over and shook hands with Ruca. Bayley had all four women hold up their arms together, and then they all saluted in tribute to John Cena…
Powell’s POV: That was fun. It was cool to see Ruca get a clean win. Bayley is in a place creatively where she can take the loss. It will be interesting to see if Bayley’s character snaps over this loss or if she just moves on. Either way, all signs point to Ruca being a main roster star, and her finisher is special.
A video package aired with Sheamus, Rob Van Dam, Corey Graves, Stu the cameraman, Michael Hayes, Michael Cole, and Cody Rhodes all expressed their gratitude to John Cena… [C]
Footage aired of Undertaker and The Rock paying tribute to Cena. Rock’s video was done poolside and selfie style…
Michelle McCool, Mark Henry, Kurt Angle, Eve Torres, Trish Stratus, Rob Van Dam, and Sami Zayn (with his son) were shown seated in the same row in the crowd…
Powell’s POV: I’m calling it now, Sami is going to break his son’s heart by costing Cena his last match. Just let me dream.
Cole and Barrett were shown at the broadcast table. Cole thanked Taz, JBL, Corey Graves, Jim Ross, and Jerry Lawler for calling great Cena matches and moments with him…
Tessitore and Stephanie checked in from their podium. Steph said she knew Cole was worried, but she assured him that he was giving Cena his due. They spoke about the previous match. Steph said she never wants to be on the receiving end of a Sol Snatcher. Tessitore asked if it felt like something felt different. Steph said yes and spoke about how they were all there to see Cena’s last match. Steph did the “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture and then said, “John, we can see you for the last time tonight”…
Je’Von Evans made his entrance and slapped hands with fans on his way to the ring. Cole recalled Evans pinning The Miz on Smackdown. Leon Slater made his entrance and had the TNA X Division Championship belt with him. Cole noted that Evans and Slater are both 21. Barrett said they weren’t even born when Cena debuted in WWE and said it was disgusting. Dragon Lee made his entrance and then waited while AJ Styles followed, and then they headed to the ring together…
3. World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans and TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater in a non-title match. Evans and Slater threw superkicks when the bell rang. Slater executed a dive over the ropes and ring post onto Lee, and then Evans performed a frog splash once Lee was back inside the ring.
Cole hyped Slater’s involvement in the four-way match for an NXT Championship match that will be held on Tuesday’s NXT television show. Styles pulled himself back onto the apron for the first time since he was superkicked.
A short time later, Evans hit the OG Cutter on Styles. Slater tagged in and hit the Swanton 450 and had Styles pinned, but Lee dropkicked Evans into him to break up the pin. There were loud “this is awesome” chants.
Lee hit a flip dive from the ring onto Evans on the floor. Slater set up Styles for a Styles Clash, but Styles avoided it and set up for one of his own, but Slater fought free. Styles ended up on the apron and hit Slater with a forearm.
Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm, but he slipped on the top rope. Slater covered Styles for a two count. Slater went up top and dove at Styles, who caught him with a powerbomb on the way down. Styles hit the Styles Clash and scored the pin.
World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee defeated Je’Von Evans and TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater in 6:30 in a non-title match.
After the match, Styles pulled Slater to his feet. All four men looked into the hard camera and saluted Cena…
Powell’s POV: Really? It’s a shame these four didn’t get twice as much time. It was another match that was fun while it lasted. Evans seems ready for the main roster. So does Slater, but he’s still under TNA contract. They picked three of NXT’s brightest prospects for this show. Trick Williams is another, but all signs point to his main roster run starting soon.
Cole thanked Quavo for the song used as the SNME theme song…
Tributes were shown of Glenn Jacobs, R-Truth, The Miz, Big E, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, Alexa Bliss, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, and Sami Zayn thanking and congratulating John Cena… [C]
Tom Brady, Jimmy Kimmel, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Jalen Brunson, Lily Yachty, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jelly Roll all wished John Cena well…
Metro Boomin and Medal of Honor recipient Edward Byers were shown in the crowd…
Joe Tessitore and Stephanie McMahon spoke at their podium. “This match is going to be…” Stephanie said before she was interrupted.
“Awesome,” The Miz yelled from the ring. Miz pointed out that he was wearing the outfit he wore when he beat John Cena at WrestleMania. Miz demanded respect.
R-Truth made his entrance and said he saw the footage of what Miz did at the drawing for The Last Time Is Now tournament. “You did something inappropriate with Nick Aldis’s balls,” Truth said. Truth said Miz cost someone their opportunity. Miz read the person’s name that was on the slip of paper.
Joe Hendry showed up. Hendry quickly put Miz down with a fallaway slam. Hendry and Truth posed together before doing a dual Five Knuckle Shuffle. Hendry hit the Standing Ovation on Miz and then pinned him while Truth counted to three…
A video package aired with many of today’s WWE stars paying tribute to John Cena…
Gunther made his entrance for the main event. Gunther left the ring. The fans chanted Cena’s name, followed by “Let’s Go Cena.”
Cena’s music played, and he came out and stood inside the tunnel of LED screens used for the unique entrance set. Cena told Stu the cameraman that this was going to be weird. Cena took the camera and filmed the fans and then Stu for a moment. Once Stu had the camera back, Cena said we’re going down swinging, and then he ran to the ring.
Cena stopped at the row of wrestlers and shook hands and/or hugged them. Kevin Owens, Elias/Elijah, Haku, Booker T, and Nick Khan were there, along with the previously mentioned legends…
Lilian Garcia stood in the ring and used the old school double microphone holder that was lowered from above, and then she delivered in-ring introductions.
4. John Cena vs. Gunther in Cena’s final match. Cole said the last time is now as the match started. Chad Patton was the referee and was acknowledged by Cole. Gunther ducked between the ropes to stall. The fans chanted asshole at Gunther when he put Cena down and kicked him. The fans were censored as they chanted, “F— you, Gunther.” Gunther slammed Cena and looked at the fans while they chanted, “You tapped out.” Cole said they were reverting to the chant they used when Gunther tapped out to Jey Uso at WrestleMania.
Cena stuffed a chop and then hit two shoulder tackles and slammed Gunther to the mat. Cena looked to the screaming crowd and did the “You Can’t See Me” before hitting the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena went for the Attitude Adjustment, but Gunther countered with a German suplex. Gunther threw a running clothesline that Cena ducked out of early. Gunther put Cena in a sleeper, but Cena pushed him off. Cena put Gunther in the STFU.
Gunther nearly reached the ropes. Cena wanted to pull him back to the middle of the ring, but Gunther kicked him. Gunther powerbombed Cena. There was another batch of censored “F— you, Gunther” chants that were replaced by boos when Gunther clotheslined Cena. Gunther waited for Cena to get up and then clotheslined him again. Gunther smirked and then hit another clothesline. There were uncesnored “asshole” chants before Gunther hit Cena with another clothesline.
Cena came back with more shoulder tackles, a Five Knuckle Shuffle, and an Attitude Adjustment for a two count. Cena went for another AA, but Gunther slipped out and threw a chop at the back of Cena’s neck. Gunther put Cena in a sleeper. Cena escaped and applied a sleeper of his own. Gunther reached the bottom rope with his foot to break the hold.
Gunther rolled to the floor. Cena followed and was hit with a chop and slammed on the apron. Gunther ran Cena into the ring steps. Fans chanted “asshole” again. Gunther placed the ring steps near the broadcast table, walked to the top of them, and saluted. Gunther set up for a powerbomb, but Cena countered with an AA that put Gunther through the table. Cena rolled Gunther back inside the ring and covered him for a two count. Cena went up top and hit Gunther with a leg drop to the back of the head for another near fall.
Cena looked to the crowd and held up his hand. He told the fans that this was the last one. Cena did the “You Can’t See Me,” and the fans chanted along. Cena ran the ropes, but Gunther shot put and put him down with a big boot. Gunther performed a German suplex and then powerbombed Cena for a near fall. Gunther went to the ropes and was cut off by Cena, who then performed an AA from the middle rope and covered Gunther for a near fall. “This is awesome,” chants broke out.
Cena and Gunther got up and traded punches in the middle of the ring while the fans did the yay/boo routine. Cena went for an AA, but Gunther countered with a powerbomb. Gunther went up top and frog splashed Cena and tried to pin him, but Cena kicked out aggressively at two. A “Super Cena” chant started. Gunther put Cena in the sleeper. Cena got up, but then faded. Cena got back to his knees while Gunther maintained the sleeper. Cena tried to power up Gunther for another AA, but Gunther reapplied the hold.
Cena got back to his feet. Gunther put all of his weight on Cena while maintaining the sleeper hold. Cena backed Gunther into the corner to break the hold, but Gunther quickly reapplied it and got Cena back on the mat. Cena stood up again and backed Gunther into the corner to break the hold. Cena hit an AA and covered Gunther for a two count. Gunther sat up and reapplied the sleeper hold. “Don’t give up,” fans chanted. The referee checked Cena’s arm. It fell twice, but Cena held it up the third time.
Gunther blasted Cena with elbows to the side of his head and then put him in the sleeper again. Cena reached up and tapped out to end the match.
Gunther defeated John Cena in 23:45.
The production crew cut to various shots of shocked and disappointed fans, including some who were crying. Cole said professional wrestling destroyed sports entertainment. Barrett said Gunther just became the standard-bearer for the industry. Cole said he and the fans were in shock over seeing Cena tap out. Cole said it was Goldberg and now Cena. “Gunther is a career killer,” Cole said. Gunther exited the ring.
Cena sat up, and some fans chanted “bullshit.” Cena kissed the mat. He stood up. He said that’s all he had and added a thank you. The fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena.”
Fans booed as Paul Levesque led a group of wrestlers, legends, and wrestlers to the ring. A “You f—ed up,” chant was directed at Levesque.
CM Punk and Cody Rhodes entered the ring and placed their title belts over Cena’s shoulders. The wrestlers at ringside applauded, and the fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena.” Levesque climbed on the apron, and the fans booed. Cena played to the crowd by holding up the title belts, which he then handed back to Punk and Cody.
Cena hugged Levesque while the fans booed. Levesque pointed to a big screen for a Cena video package that included comments from Cena’s parents, as well as various wrestlers.
Cena took a bow and saluted. He removed his shoes and sweat bands and then exited the ring. Cena slapped hands with fans along the entrance aisle as he headed toward the stage area. He looked up at the fans behind the small entrance set and soaked in their cheers, then turned around and faced the ring. Cena took another bow, looked into the hard camera, and saluted. “It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years,” Cena said. “Thank you.” Cena turned and made his exit to end the show…
Powell’s POV: The fans were obviously hoping for the feel-good ending of Cena beating Gunther. Instead, they got Gunther retiring another wrestler. And with some other notable retirements approaching, this may not be the end of the “career killer” saga. AJ Styles is retiring next year. There are rumors of Brock Lesnar retiring next year. Gunther could also retire Chris Jericho if he returns to the company for one last run. And there’s always the Career Killer vs. Legend Killer.
The post-match scene was nice. The lack of comments from Cena was disappointing. I’m guessing we’ll have to wait for Raw or even for the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. And that’s fine as a viewer at home, but I feel for the fans in attendance who paid big money to see Cena lose his final match and not address them afterward. All of that said, it’s been a hell of a ride for Cena, and here’s wishing him the best now that his in-ring career is over.
Overall, I like that Gunther went over even though the live crowd clearly disagreed. The heat went to Levesque rather than Gunther. It may stick with Levesque, but I’m sure Gunther can get his starting with a gloating promo on Raw. The rest of the show was mostly disappointing. Sol Ruca’s win was fun, but the opening match finish was weak, and the tag team match was way too short. I will have a lot more to say about the show when Jake Barnett and I team up for our same-night audio review that will be available for free as this week’s Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast. Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.
With the chance to do something interesting and put Oba over instantly with a win, of course we get the lame DQ finish. I’m all for Drew showing up at the barricade, Cody seeing him and being distracted which leads to Oba taking advantage.
Serves two missions that way, Oba looks like a even bigger star right out of the gate and also furthers the story of Drew being in Cody’s head and him losing his cool whenever Drew is around.
I liked the dq. Oba wouldnt get as much from a dq win, and as a face, he couldnt brag about it. Oba got great rub and lots of eyes on him, mission accomplished.
I mean distraction finish win*
Respectfully, it makes no sense to have the champion from the developmental brand beat the champion who holds THE number one title in the company. It was the opening match. Oba got some rub and you continue to build to the Cody-Drew match. I had no problem with it.
What the fuck was Lyra wearing?
The best thing about the tag match was that it was only 6:30. They got in there, let everyone get some shine, and got out of there. If you’re going to do a crazy spot fest then it can’t go 12-15 minutes without becoming boring and repetitive.
John Cena has the same problem as Jericho, he talks to much during their matches.
I usually try to not be tribal and I usually don’t like putting down other fans. But that about the window for tonight. Those fans came close to ruining a great moment. Booing that finish is exactly why I can’t stand modern day wrestling fans. There’s no understanding of how the business is supposed to work. That was done exactly how it was supposed to be. And I’m sure Cena had complete creative control over the finish tonight and he did the time honored thing of putting over the next guy on his way out. Class act. Wrestling would benefit from more stars like him. But the booing tonight. I don’t care how much you paid to be there. That doesn’t change how things should be done.
It’s not about Cena losing. His mantra was “Never Give Up”.
His final moment in a ring was directly betraying that ethos. He could’ve been pinned, he could’ve passed out. No issues there.
Cena has tapped out before. This wasn’t a first.
Not for over 20 years though. Not since becoming a top main event guy and adopting the “Never Give Up” mantra.
No kidding, my glasses also broke at the beginning of the show. Ive got two new pairs coming on Monday.
I loved the main event finish. Gunter bragging about making Cena tap will be epic.
Hendry gets big reactions and that’s plenty for now, but I dont see it lasting. He’s all entrance/music. My wife mentioned he has love handles lol.
I’m with Kevin, and Mick can GGF. You’re one of the fans who doesn’t understand how it works. Cena tapping absolutely made sense, showing that his time was indeed up and he gave all he had. Had this been 2015, or even 2020, he would have had more. His aging body betrayed him and he knew it and tapped before any more damage could be done. This wasn’t Steve Austin at Mania 13. The end was the right call and any heat for Paul Levesque is completely undeserved and totally ignorant. This is one of those times I can do without the fans – as much as the business needs them.