story by editor-in-chief: Ashly Nicole

WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington, DC Wasn’t Just a Show. It Was the End of an Era.

On December 13, 2025, WWE Saturday Night's Main Event took over Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The night was explicitly, unmistakably, and emotionally built around one moment:
John Cena’s final match. From the moment you stepped inside the arena, the intention was clear. There was even a dedicated Superstore stocked exclusively with Cena merch and memorabilia. Even every merch booth was fully stocked with sweat band sets, spinners belts, and signed John Cena posters, turning the concourse into a living archive of his career.
Everyone in attendance understood what this night meant. This was not just a wrestling show. It was the last chance to see every wrestling fan’s hero, John Cena, as an active wrestler; the last chance to scream, “you can’t see me”, with Cena in the ring, and the last chance to take in what it feels like to witness Cena in all his glory in that ring, it was The Last Time.
I was fortunate enough to be in attendance, and let me tell you, being surrounded by fans who grew up alongside Cena, the weight of the moment was palpable long before the bell rang.

Before Cena’s final chapter, the show card delivered exactly what John Cena himself set it out to do, by spotlighting new and emerging talent; also something Cena has long championed throughout his career. NXT powerhouse Oba Femi faced main roster babyface, Cody Rhodes, with the match ending in disqualification after interference from Drew McIntyre. The moment added fuel to McIntyre and Rhodes’ ongoing rivalry and gave the crowd plenty to be amped about from the very beginning of the show.

Photos provided by WWE

Following Femi and Rhodes so rudely interrupted match, Sol Ruca picked up a notable win against her mentor Bayley, a result that felt less about emotion and more about proof. The match played out as Sol demonstrating that she can operate at a main-roster level, holding her own against an established veteran. Bayley’s reaction underscored the moment as one of respect and acknowledgment, with Sol clearly making the case that she is ready for opportunities beyond NXT and belongs in the RAW or SmackDown conversation. I feel that a lot of new fans were made during this match, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for Sol in WWE.
There was also a standout multi-person match featured AJ Styles and Dragon Lee against TNA’s Leon Slater and NXT standout Je'Von Evans. Although Slater and Evans did not walk away with the win, they more than proved themselves. It was a high energy-high intensity match, full of moves from Slater and Evans alike that even avid and life long wrestling fans have never seen before! The crowd was fully invested, and by the end of the match, it felt undeniable that both deserve a place on WWE’s main roster in, hopefully, the very near future.

Photos provided by WWE

Right before the main event, The Miz made his way to the ring to voice his frustration over not being chosen as Cena’s final opponent. What followed quickly turned into one of the most memorable, and one of my favorite, surprises of the night. R-Truth quickly interrupted The Miz’s rant, and moments later the arena erupted when Joe Hendry emerged from under the ring…after they said his name, of course. Recently signed to WWE from TNA, Hendry made his first official WWE appearance to a thunderous reaction. Fans sang his entrance song before and after he appeared, making it known that Joe Hendry continues to be a crowd favorite, and we’re all happy to welcome him to the WWE family. Needless to say, The Miz was stunned and Hendry delivered his “Standing Ovation” finisher to The Miz, followed by an in-tandem Five Knuckle Shuffle with R-Truth. It was a fun, chaotic, and heartfelt nod to Cena that had the entire building buzzing in anticipation for Cena’s soon to be final match of his career.

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Photos by Ashly Nicole & provided by WWE

John Cena vs. Gunther and an Ending that Silenced Everyone.

The main event placed Cena opposite Gunther in a high-stakes 24-minute singles match that felt both epic and had everyone absolutely stressed and standing on their feet the entirety of the match.
Every near-fall caused every person in that building to hold their breath. Every moment where Cena seemed in trouble was met with chants of “Don’t give up.” When Cena delivered multiple Five Knuckle Shuffles, the arena felt like it might come apart. Genuinely, this match felt like it had so many endless possibilities of how this could end. We, unfortunately, all know how these things go, but I can’t deny there was a little bit of hope and a lot of delusion that Cena might come out of this with one final win to end his roughly 26 year long run. It almost seemed like Cena and Gunther would keep at this fight for hours, as there was an “unlimited” run time for this event, and I think everyone would have absolutely be all in for it.

There were so many close calls, a lot of “2!’s, and so many crazy moves we haven’t seen from Cena in years, but we know the G.O.A.T. had to go all out for the last time. As we neared, what we didn’t know was, the end of the match, Gunther attempted to choke out Cena, as he does, in a headlock. It seemed as though John might pass out. The ref lifted Cena’s arm three times, two of which John dropped his arm.
On the third lift, Cena’s arm stayed up, giving hope to the entire crowd, but then suddenly came the moment no one saw coming.

Cena tapped out.

As we stood in shock, there was no dramatic collapse and no look of anguish. Instead, there was a slight smile, almost peaceful. The reaction inside Capital One Arena was immediate and jarring. The building fell silent. As cameras panned across the crowd, the shock, anger, and heartbreak were written across faces, including my own. It was not the ending anyone wanted, but somehow it felt honest and true to John Cena’s character and motto; Hustle. Loyalty. Respect. until the very end, Cena played true to the rules of WWE and showed his loyalty and respect to not only the company, but to the love of the sport.

There was no post-match speech. No farewell monologue. Instead, a career-spanning highlight montage played as Cena stood alone in the ring and watched. As the WWE roster, past and present filled the ringside, CM Punk and Cody Rhodes entered the ring to place their championship belts over Cena’s shoulders as a quiet sign of respect from his peers. John, finally, placed his shoes and infamous sweatbands in the middle of the ring, and made his way up the ramp and out of the arena. He stopped to give a final bow and salute to the fans and to Stew, the cameraman who had followed him throughout his entire career. It was a small, deeply personal moment that most certainly carried some of the most emotional weight of the night. And then it was over.

The energy inside Capital One Arena was electric, emotional, and overwhelming. Everyone in attendance knew they were witnessing history, and I honestly don’t believe there was a single dry eye in the house by the end of the night. This was not just another show on the WWE schedule, it was a collective farewell to a figure who defined an entire era and generation of WWE. Being there in person felt like one of the biggest privileges of my life. It was kind of night wrestling fans will talk about for decades, or maybe for the rest of their lives; I know I’ll never shut up about it. The ending hurt, but it also felt fitting.
It was not about gold or glory. It was about John Cena’s legacy, and honoring him just by being in that moment and in that arena with him, win or lose. John Cena’s final match was not about the result. It was about the weight of everything that came before it. And standing there in the crowd, it was impossible not to feel the significance of witnessing it firsthand.

We CAN see you. Thank you, Cena.