John Cena will wrap up his retirement year on December 13 with his final match against GUNTHER at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, D.C. Cena’s final year included 36 dates and featured him winning his 17th world championship, his first Intercontinental Championship, a heel turn, and matches with longtime rivals CM Punk, AJ Styles, and Randy Orton.
Speaking to Bill Simmons of The Ringer, Cena reflected on his final year and how he worked with WWE to execute the story. He stated that he initially “asked, ‘Do you think this is a good business idea?’ They agreed, so we’re able to do it.” Cena expressed that what he loves most about the year is that he thinks it “will keep on giving moments after it’s done. I think people will continue to reflect. ‘Oh, maybe this was the story they were trying to tell.’”
The former champion believes that the story is designed to be digested over time. Cena pointed out that it is weird to talk about it because “WWE is so in the moment. Something happens on television, and it’s ‘I hate this’ or ‘this is the greatest.’ It has been a year-long story. People will digest it once the last one happens on the 13th, then I think they’ll reflect, especially when they realize I’m not coming back, and then you can dive into, ‘What were they really trying to do across a year?’ It’s never been done before.”
Cena believes he gave everything he had to the process. He confirmed, “I could not give an ounce more of effort. I don’t think there is a single thing I would have changed and I like that it isn’t perfect. I like that parts changed, dates and cities changed, the last one isn’t in Boston. ‘It would be perfect if…’ No, life isn’t perfect.
You just do the best you can with what you got.” He likes all the details, noting the moment in his last Premium Live Event title defense at Survivor Series where Liv Morgan assisted Dominik Mysterio to beat him in the same way he turned on Cody Rhodes. Cena appreciated “being able to be like, ‘Wait, you’re going to get a callback to this moment in February in November. Just wait for it.’ Being able to pay it off that late in the game.”
The multi-time champion ended his thoughts on his final run, stating, “Whether it means anything to anyone else or me, I like to know that there is not a moment we’re not thinking of and we’re doing everything we can. I’m doing everything I can. Nothing ever stands the test of time, but I’ll be very good on the 13th, knowing I gave the best I could this year. All the wisdom, tricks, physical ability, knowledge, strength, effort, seconds, time, advice. I don’t have anything left. The 13th is going to special.”
Cena’s final opponent, GUNTHER, defeated LA Knight in the finals of The Last Time Is Now tournament to earn the high-profile match.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Bill Simmons of The Ringer with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
