Thank You, Cena!

After 25 years, The Last Time IS Now as John Cena has his final match PERIOD, against Der Ring General, GUNTHER, on Saturday Night’s Main Event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Cody Rhodes VS Oba Femi; Cody wins, by disqualification.
• Bayley VS Sol Ruca; Sol wins.
• AJ Styles & Dragon Lee VS Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater; Styles & Dragon win.
• John Cena VS GUNTHER; Gunther wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

G.O.A.T.

Triple H narrates, “The Goat. You hear it so much, you forget what it means: Greatest Of All Time. Is it measured in titles? Records? Or calibrated in time? Games and matches morph into seasons, seasons into years, years into decades. But The GOAT perseveres in a style all his own every damn night, until he’s an era unto himself. John Cena made his WWE debut June 27, 2002. But what marks the intervening quarter-century, and that which makes Cena the GOAT, nothing less than the sacred currency of professional wrestling: The connection. That communion with the crowd. Oh, he sees you. He hears you. He feels you. Loves you. Every last one.” So, for one last time, #ThankYouCena!

Cody Rhodes VS Oba Femi!

While The American Nightmare wants to settle things with the Scottish Terminator once and for all, The Ruler made it clear that “Quarterback Number One” needs to focus on him now! Will the NXT Champion prove he is The Destroyer and the Bringer of War? Or will Cody show us why HE is undisputed?

The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two champions stare down. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. They’re in a deadlock as Cody cannot push Oba back, but then Oba SHOVES Cody! The fans duel and sing as Cody shrugs that off. Cody and Oba reset, circle again, and they tie up. Cody headlocks, shifts, hammerlocks, then ducks an elbow! Oba says it was that close. The two go again, Cody avoids the grapple to headlock, but Oba powers up and carries Cody to the ropes! Oba then powers up and out, but Cody ducks the boot to DROPKICK a leg! But Oba stops the Rhodes Uppercut with a guzel! And an URENAGE BACKBREAKER!

The fans fire up and Oba fires body shots on Cody in the corner! Oba HAMMERS Cody, CLUBS him down, and he snarls as the ref counts 4. The fans cheer, Cody goes to a corner, but Oba is right on him. Oba wrenches and whips corner to corner hard! Oba storms up on Cody again, but Cody fires forearms! Oba KNEES low, Cody goes back to a corner, and Oba TOSSES him across the ring! The fans fire up with Oba, and Cody hurries back to his feet. Oba whips corner to corner, but Cody goes up and over! SNAP- NO! Oba blocks the powerslam! Oba scoops to SLAM Cody back! Cover, TWO! Cody toughs it out but Oba stays focused.

Oba brings Cody up to ROCK him with a forearm. Cody goes to a corner, Oba storms up, btu Cody kicks low! Oba UPPERCUTS first! Oba huffs ‘n’ puffs and stalks Cody along the ropes. Oba whips, scoops, and he carries Cody with one arm! Oba “takes a puff” and hits the BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Oba drags Cody up and CLUBS him back down! Cody sputters and crawls, but Oba stays close. Oba drags Cody up, lifts, but Cody slips free of the bomb! Cody then dodges and Oba POSTS himself! Cody runs, ROCKS Oba, but Oba stays up! Cody goes up and over, and he SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up with Cody as he stands!

Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Oba survives and Cody is frustrated, but the fans rally up. Cody goes up the ropes again, but Oba catches him this time! Oba whips, Cody reverses, and Cody TOSSES Oba out! Cody runs and DIVES into a FOREARM! The fans fire up while Cody flounders back. Oba rolls in, watches Cody stagger, and Oba runs up! But Cody DUMPS Oba out! Oba staggers, Cody builds speed, and Cody DIVES! Down goes Oba and the fans fire up again! Cody hurries to get back in the ring, but so does Oba! Cody runs up into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Cody survives and the fans fire up again!

The fans rally, Oba stalks Cody, and he drags Cody up to scoop. Cody slips free, kicks low, and RHODES UPPERCUTS! Cody goes to the ropes, but Oba LARIATS him out! Oba snarls, the fans fire up, and Oba goes out the side. Oba runs in around the way! Oba CLOBBERS Cody, they BOTH go over the desk! The fans are fired up again, Cody is bleeding from an ear or cheek, and Oba gets him up and into the ring! Oba pops Cody up, SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Cody survives again and Oba is beside himself! The fans rally up, Oba snarls as he looms over Cody. Oba whips, Cody slips free of the pop-up! SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Oba survives! But wait! DREW MCINTYRE IS HERE!! AND HE ATTACKS CODY!!

Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification

The fans boo as the Scottish Terminator just HAD to ruin the match! So much for an “unsafe working environment” when he’s the one on the attack! But now OBA gets in Drew’s face! The fans fire up for this, and Drew says Oba is too dumb to understand what’s going on here. Oba SHOVES Drew! And then CODY CUTTER!! Cody gets the better of Drew, and Oba adds on! CHOKE SLAM! The fans fire up for Oba as he stands up for both himself and Cody Rhodes. Cody shows him respect by giving Oba his title, and raising his hand! The fans cheer, but what will it take for Cody and Drew to finally put this one to bed?

Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Sol Ruca w/ Zaria!

The Role Model has been working on getting back to titles, the same as the Soul Surfer of NXT. But now Sol gets a chance to really show what she’s capable of going against a WWE Grand Slam Champion! Will Bayley get her soul snatched in DC? Or will she prove to everyone else that she’s still got what it takes?

The bell rings and Bayley circles with Sol. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Bayley headlocks. Sol fights around, Bayley shifts to a waistlock, but Sol fights up to switch. Bayley headlocks for the takeover, Sol rolls to a cover, ONE! Bayley has the armlock now, CLUBS the arm, and wrenches. Bayley WRINGS the arm, but Sol handsprings through! The fans cheer, the two tie up, Bayley waistlocks then headlocks. Bayley wrenches and YANKS the arm, YANKS it again, then whips. Sol ducks ‘n’ dodges, handsprings and handstand walks, to handspring again! RANA! The fans fire up and Bayley scrambles to a corner!

The fans fire up and Sol waits on Bayley. They circle, tie up, and Sol waistlocks. Bayley switches to YANK the arm again and again, then whips. Sol handsprings through the hip toss to X-FACTOR! Bayley tumbles out of the ring, the fans rally up, and Sol watches Bayley closely. Sol drags Bayley up, but Bayley HOTSHOTS her down! Sol tumbles out the side, Bayley runs up, DAREDEVIL- NO, Sol stops the dropkick! And she spins Bayley around, goes up the apron, handsprings to dodge and then PENALTY KICK! The fans fire up as Sol goes up and ASAI M OONSAULTS! Bayley avoids it to then DECK Sol! The fans fire up and Bayley brings Sol up.

Bayley puts Sol in the ring, storms in after her, and ROCKS her with a forearm. Bayley fireman’s carries but Sol slips free and rolls her up, TWO! Sol stands, trips Bayley, then floats to a cover, TWO! Sol trips Bayley, handsprings over her, then SUPERKICKS! The fans rally, Sol TOSSES Bayley out, and then Sol builds speed! Sol handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL! The fans are thunderous for the “Sol-suke,” including Zaria! Sol then puts Bayley back in, springboards, but Bayley avoids the splash! Sol belly flops, and Bayley LARIATS her down! The fans rally up while Bayley huffs ‘n’ puffs. Bayley staggers around, but she lines up a shot.

Bayley runs up to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB Sol! Cover, TWO! Sol survives but Bayley stays focused. Bayley looms over Sol, sits her up, and KNEES her in the back! Bayley clamps on a chinlock, grinds Sol down, but Sol endures. The fans rally and duel as Sol fights up! Sol fires body shots, rolls Bayley, but Bayley rolls through to KNEE Sol away! Sol staggers to a corner, Bayley runs up again, btu Sol dodges! The knee hits buckles, and Sol mule kicks! ELBOWS! And CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and Sol whips to UPPERCUT Bayley down! And UPPERCUT! And then a whip to the corner! Sol SNAP GERMANS Bayley on the rebound!

Sol kips up, the fans fire up, and Sol goes up the corner! Bayley stands, Sol BOOTS her away, then Sol cartwheels, ARCH DDT! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives but Sol keeps moving! Springboard, but into the BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally up, Zaria coaches Sol and Lyra coaches Bayley. Bayley hoists Sol up, puts her on the top rope, and then in the Tree of Woe! Bayley CLUBS away on Sol, runs corner to corner, and jumps up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Sol survives again and the fans rally up. Sol goes to a corner, Bayley runs back up, but into a SUPERKICK! Sol runs up, backslide, TWO!!

Bayley and Sol stand up, still hooked up, and Bayley swings Sol around! Step over and- NO, Sol handsprings through the Rose Plant! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! Bayley survives but Sol stays focused. Sol goes to the corner, SOLUL- NO! Bayley YANKS her out of the Snatcher to ROSE PLANT!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Bayley is furious now, and she HAMMERS Sol! The ref counts as they’re still in the ropes, and Bayley drags Sol up. Bayley clinches, SAIDO! Then she drags Sol around to the drop zone! Bayley goes up, up, and MACHO ELBOWS onto knees! Then O’Conner Roll! TWO, Sol goes up, SOUL SNATCHER!! BUT BAYLEY’S HALF OUT OF THE RING!

Sol drags Bayley back in, and Bayley snatches her to a cover! TWO, Sol has it! SOL WINS!!

Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall

Even #ZaRuca is shocked as Sol scores! Bayley & Lyra show them respect and they all raise hands in celebration. They also salute to Cena, “You Can’t See Me!”

AJ Styles & Dragon Lee VS Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater!

The Phenomenal One & The Boy Wonder are still WWE World Tag Team Champions after their war with the War Raiders, but there could be a new challenge as they face the Young OG & Youngest In Charge. Win or lose, will this match of present and future be absolute cinema?

The teams sort out and Je’Von & Leon DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Then Je’Von FLIES out onto Styles! Leon LEG LARIATS Dragon! Dragon tumbles out, Leon builds speed to FLY over the corner! Direct hit and DC fires up as Leon puts Dragon in! CROSSBODY! Tag to Je’Von and he goes up, FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Dragon survives and the fans are fired up again! Je’Von drags Dragon over, tags Leon, and they mug Dragon. Je’Von whips Leon in, SPLASH! Snapmare, cover, TWO! Dragon is tougher than that but Leon drags Dragon up to put him in the corner. Dragon BOOTS Leon, ELBOWS Je’Von, then dodges Leon!

Leon POSTS himself, but Je’Von hurries to run up on Dragon! Dragon DUMPS Je’Von out, crawls, but Leon anchors Dragon! Leon back suplexes, Dragon lands out, and Dragon slips through to lift Leon! LIGER BOMB! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Styles is back! Leon and Dragon crawl, hot tags to Je’Von and Styles! Styles fires the Phenomenal Blitz! LARIAT! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up with Styles and he runs in at the corner, LARIAT! Then fireman’s carry and USHIGOROSHI! Leon is back, but Styles gets him for an atomic FACEBUSTER! Styles runs in at Je’Von, but Je’Von puts him on the apron!

Je’Von SMACKS Styles down, then builds speed, and he slides, but Styles dodges! Styles throws Je’Von to the apron, but Je’Von goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULTS! Styles dodges, Je’Von lands on his feet, but Styles RAMS him into barriers! Dragon runs to FLYING RANA Leon into Styles’ hands! STYLES- SUPERKICK from Je’Von! Dragon runs up, but Je’Von POSTS him! Je’Von & Leon put Styles in the ring, and Je’Von goes up, up, SUPER O G CUTTER!! Je’Von drags Styles over, tags Leon back in! “This is Awesome!” as Leon goes up, SWANTON SPLASH!! Cover, Dragon DROPKICKS Je’Von onto it!

The fans are thunderous as all four men are down. Dragon goes to a corner, he takes off the elbow pad, “This is Awesome!” as Dragon runs up! Je’Von SUPERKICKS, but Dragon V-TRIGGERS! Dragon ducks a roundhouse but not the SUPERKICK! Je’Von handsprings, RED DOT- DRAGON BLADE!! Je’Von tumbles out, Dragon builds speed, and Dragon FLIES! Down goes Je’Von at the ramp! Leon sees Styles is down, so he hurries to reel him in! And he calls his shot! But Styles BACKDROPS free! Leon sunset flips, Styles rolls through, but Leon fights the Clash! Styles still tries, but Leon DUMPS Styles to the apron!

Styles ROCKS Leon! He prepares the elbow pad, for the PHENOMENAL- NO, Styles slips off the rope! Leon covers, TWO!! The ropes might still be a mess from this wild night, but Leon hurries back up top! Styles stands, Leon leaps, but into a POWERBOMB! And then a STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles & Dragon win!

Winners: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

The tag team champions got a lot more out of Je’Von & Leon than they expected, but there’s no question the future of pro-wrestling will be bright! The champs show them great respect, too, and the fans applaud. Will it only be a matter of time before the Youngest In Charge are truly in charge?

The MIZ interrupts?!

He does it by shouting “AWWWWWESOME~!” over commentary talking! “Y’know what would’ve really been awesome? If this Last Time Is Now Tour didn’t pretend like I didn’t exist! Like I didn’t happen! I’ve been a main character in the history of John Cena! But here we are! Here we are, focusing on the new and up-and-coming superstars, when the guy that beat John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania, in this outfit, in this gear, is standing right here! I demand respect! I demand-” R-TRUTH is here! The fans fire up as Truth runs down the ramp a la John Cena and slides right into the ring! He’s even in a baseball cap, shirt, and jorts!

The fans cheer and sing, “What’s Up?” Truth says he saw what Miz did! In the Last Time is Now tournament, Miz did something real inappropriate with Nick Aldis’ balls! He took someone else’s opportunity! And that person… is right here! Truth holds up the lottery ball Miz swapped out! Miz snatches that away from Truth, opens it up, and reads the paper. “Joe Hendry?” “SAY HIS NAME AND HE APPEARS!” And Joe Hendry SPINS into view! Miz says NO! NO! NO! Turn the stupid music off and stop dancing! Miz is so sick of this! STOP CLAPPING! Truth says this is what Miz is asking for, though! Nd Hendry fires hands!

Miz swings, misses, and Hendry catches him! FALL AWAY SLAM! And kip up! And… Truth joins in for the TURN! They even pose for pictures! Hendry joins in with saying, “You Can’t See Me!” TEN KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! And then Hendry guzels for the STANDING OVATION! Cover, Truth count sit, Hendry “wins!” The fans in DC all now believe in Joe Hendry, he’s so prestigious. But will Miz ever be humble enough to let anyone else have the spotlight?

John Cena VS GUNTHER!

All good things must come to an end, and the same is true for the great careers of living legends. Truly, the last time is now, and the only one who doesn’t want to celebrate it is Der Ring General! Gunther won the right to face John Cena, and he wants to make it so that for the first time and the last time, John Cena finally gives up. Will Gunther make Cena’s moment all about him? Or will Cena go out on top in one last main event?

The fans already chant “Let’s Go, Cena!” while waiting on the entrance. And then the lights go down, and the music hits! The tron slideshows as many of the classic John Cena looks from the past 20 years as it can, and Cena tells Stu that this might be weird, but hold on. Cena takes the camera so he can film Stu! Stu asks if Cena’s ready, and Cena says yes! Cena asks the fans if they’re ready, and he shows the towel that says “The Last Time Is Now!” in Washington Wizards style. Cena runs down the ramp, slides into the ring, and the fans erupt with cheers! Cena makes sure to see all sides of the crowd, and again hopes they’re ready for this.

Cena then steps back out to shake hands with Trish Stratus, Eve Torres, RVD, Kurt Angle, Mark Henry, Michelle McCool, Elias, Kevin Owens, Haku, Booker T, Sami Zayn, and Sami’s son. Cena returns to the ring so we can get the big time main event introductions! The fans are already fire dup, and they only keep it going as the bell rings. Gunther and Cena circle, feel things out, and they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, the fans all cheer Cena on, and the two break. Cena is surprised there isn’t a “Cena sucks” in the chant but he and Gunther reset. They feel things out again, but Gunther backs off.

Gunther steps out of the ring and the fans boo, but Gunther is doing this just to cool the fans off. Gunther steps back inside, he and Cena tie up again, but the fans tell Gunther off. Gunther UPPERCUTS Cena, stomps him down, then soaks up all that heat. Gunther goes back to Cena, stands him up again, and he UPPERCUTS Cena back down! The fans boo as Gunther puts Cena in a corner. The fans tell Gunther off more, Gunther just CHOPS Cena for it! Gunther stalks Cena to the other corner, and he CHOPS Cena again! Cena falls and sputters, the fans boo Gunther, but Gunther soaks up that heat. Gunther stands Cena up to CHOP him again!

Cena sputters while Gunther looms over him. The fans taunt Gunther with “You Tapped Out!” Gunther shakes his head, and he scoops Cena to SLAM him! Gunther stalks Cena to a corner, and he whips Cena corner to corner hard! Cena flops down but the fans rally behind him again. Cena rises up, but Gunther CHPOS him! Cena catches it! Cena fires haymakers and the fans fire up! Cena whips, Gunther reverses, but Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges, to SHOULDER TACKLE! And SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up as Cena hits the SPIN OUT BOMB! Cena raises his hand, the fans are thunderous again, and “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE!

The fans fire up, Cena waits on Gunther, fireman’s carry and- NO, Gunther slips free to GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans boo but Gunther runs, to LARIAT! Gunther snarls, drags Cena back up, SLEEPER! Cena fights it, but Gunther squeezes tight! Cena arm-drags free! Drop toehold! S T F!! Gunther endures and the fans are thunderous! Gunther reaches out, crawls forward, but the fans chant “TAP! TAP! TAP!” Cena pulls Gunther back, Gunther still fights, so Cena lets go to get the legs. Gunther BOOTS Cena away! T-REX SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Then the GUNTHER BOMB!! The fans boo but Gunther says it is done!

Cena sputters, sits up slowly, and the fans tell Gunther off again. Gunther aims from the corner, runs up, and LARIATS Cena back down! Gunther wants the ref to either call it or ask Cena. Cena refuses to give up as he sits back up. The fans rally behind Cena, but Gunther runs to LARIAT him back down! Gunther talks trash on the fans while they boo. Gunther paces, circling like a shark with blood in the water. The fans rally for Cena as hard as they can, and Gunther eggs him on. Cena stands, Gunther LARIATS again! Gunther shouts at Cena to give up already. Gunther is foaming at the mouth and the fans say that’s gross.

Cena stands, Gunther runs, LARIAT! Gunther is piling on the punishment as he insists Cena say he’s done. Cena rises up, the fans tell Gunther off again, so Gunther runs again. LARIAT! Cena is still conscious so Gunther looms over him. The fans rally for “SUPER CENA!” That might be the first time ever. Cena dodges a lariat to SHOULDER TACKLE! SHOULDER TACKLE! SPINE OUT BOMB again! FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Gunther staggers, Cena fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and the fans can’t believe it! The fans chant “One More Time!” and Cena agrees!

Cena waits, fireman’s carries again, btu Gunther slips free! Gunther CHOPS Cena on the back! Then SLEEPER! Gunther drags Cena down into the body scissors! Cena flails, reaches out, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Cena rises, the fans are thunderous, and Cena shoves Gunther away! Cena has the SLEEPER!! The fans are going nuts as Cena has Gunther caught now! Gunther flails, flashbacks to Jey Uso at WrestleMania! Gunther kicks and kicks and fights to the ROPEBREAK! Cena lets go and Gunther bails out! The fans boo, but Cena storms in around the way! Gunther CHOPS! And then APRON BACK SUPLEX!

Cena sputters and slumps back down, but Gunther whips him into steel steps! Cena falls in a heap while the steps are knocked apart! The fans boo but Gunther refreshes the ring count. Gunther brings the other steel steps around, closer to the desk! Gunther then steps up so he can soak up all the heat. Gunther tells DC to shove it, then he fetches Cena. The fans tell Gunther off in return but he just chuckles. Gunther CLUBS Cena to be on the steps, then throws down fists! The fans boo, but Gunther clears the desk! Gunther then goes back up the steps, reels Cena in, but Cena fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT DOWN THROUGH THE DESK!! 

The fans are electric as both men are down on the ground! The ref checks both men, and Cena is already rising up! Cena drags Gunther back to ringside, puts him in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Cena covers, TWO!!! Gunther survives and no one can believe it! But the fans all rally for Cena harder than ever before! Cena decides to go for broke, and he climbs the corner! FLYING FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and both men are down again! The fans let Cena know, “You Still Got It!” Cena says hold on, let’s get one more! The fans cheer as Cena raises his hand. The last one, either way! He needs to hear us all!

The fans are thunderously cheering as Cena sets it up! “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” BUT GUNTHER IS UP!! HE BOOTS CENA DOWN!! And GERMAN SUPLEXES! And then the GUNTHER BOMB!! High stack, TWO!!! Cena survives, but Gunther just drags him around to the drop zone! Gunther goes up top, but Cena UPPERCUTS first! The fans fire up as Cena hops up to get Gunther! Fireman’s carry, and the SUPER ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Gunther survives and everyone is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as both men are down. Cena finds the energy to rise up, as does Gunther. Both men stand, and Cena fires a haymaker!

Gunther fires back, so Cena kicks low! Gunther fires a haymaker, Cena fires a haymaker! Gunther UPPERCUTS, Cena UPPERCUTS! The fans rally as both men wobble, and Gunther fires a shot! Cena fires back! Cena eggs Gunther on, then dodges, and fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE- NO, Gunther lands out!! And lifts, GUNTHER BOMB!! Gunther goes right to the corner, right up top, GUNTHER SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! CENA SURVIVES! The fans are electric while Gunther wants Cena to get up again! Cena slowly rises, the fans cheer him on, but Gunther clamps on the SLEEPER!! Cena flails, reaches out, but is he fading?!

The fans rally for Cena, they boo Gunther, but Cena gets a second wind! Cena pries the hold open! But Gunther clamps it back on! Cena is fading again! Gunther sits Cena down, wraps on the body scissors, but Cena refuses to give up! A third wind and Cena shifts around! Gunther stays between Cena and ropes, but Cena pries the hold open, and fireman’s carries! But Gunther slips free, back to the SLEEPER!! Cena is turning red, but so is Gunther as they are in this war of attrition! Cena gets a fourth wind, if you will, but Gunther becomes a backpack! Cena stays on his feet, but that look on his face isn’t good… Gunther shifts to get as much weight as he can on Cena!

But Cena still turns around!? And he RAMS Gunther into buckles! Cena is free, but Gunther rushes up to clamp the SLEEPER on! Cena is fading again, and he’s back on the mat! The fans boo Gunther and rally again! Cena gets a fifth wind! Cena has Gunther as a backpack again, RAMS him into more buckles, and is again free! Then fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Gunther survives, and then HAS THE SLEEPER!! The fans rally as hard as they have all night, “DON’T GIVE UP! DON’T GIVE UP!” Cena fights up as much as he can with Gunther still latched on! Gunther drags him back down, body scissors are on!

Cena is fading! The ref checks the arm, it drops once! The arm drops twice! Is it over?! The arm… STAYS UP!!! Cena rises from the dead! Gunther shifts to HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOW away!! Then the SLEEPER is back on!! Cena grits his teeth, all of DC and perhaps the entire WWE Universe behind him! But Cena is back on the mat! CENA TAPS?!? Gunther wins!!!

Winner: Gunther, by submission

The entire arena is shocked! Over 19 THOUSAND fans witnessed Cena fight beyond human expectations, and not one of them expected Cena to tap out. Many call BS, but those subside so that they can all give Cena one final standing ovation. “Thank You, Cena!” Cena sits up, and he gives a deep bow of respect. Cena is then surprised to see Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Shawn Michaels, and pretty much everyone else walks out from the back. CM Punk and Cody Rhodes each talk with Cena in the ring, and they want to “pay it forward.” They let Cena hold their belts one last time, and the fans all cheer.

Cena is humbled as he looks out at everyone around ringside. The fans continue to cheer, “Thank You, Cena!” while they and the superstars, producers and management all clap. The fans boo a bit seeing HHH on the apron, but they cheer when Cena raises both world titles one last time. Corner to corner, side to side, all 360 degrees, Cena makes sure everyone sees him with the belts one last time. And then the fans boo a bit as HHH and Cena hug it out. HHH then cues up one final tribute video to Cena. #ThankYouJohn. Cena bows to each side of the ring one last time, and he takes off his sneakers and wristbands to leave them in the ring.

The fans cheer once more as Cena slides out of the ring, and heads back up the ramp, high-fiving the front row as he goes. Cena takes one final bow on stage, and salutes. “It’s been a pleasure serving you all of these years.” The fans continue to cheer as Cena then steps back through the curtain and to the backstage area. Truly, thank you, Cena, for 25 years of hustle, loyalty, and respect.

My Thoughts:

An awesome Saturday Night’s Main Event, certainly more like what these should be versus what we usually get. Though, this might have been a unique case since it was Cena’s final match and they also did what were to be “showcase” matches for NXT. Cody VS Oba was a great opener, but I pretty much nailed my prediction of Drew attacking. But great stuff for Oba to help beat up Drew in return. Obviously, we’re going to get Cody VS Drew one last time, maybe in Last Man Standing or I Quit so that they finally have something decisive and noncontroversial. And either way, Oba has established himself to fans who don’t watch NXT, they’ll understand he’s a big deal when he finally gets his call-up.

Great match from Bayley VS Sol, Sol also got to show fans what she’s capable of, and I’m actually rather surprised she won. But perhaps Sol & Zaria can make the jump to the main roster as a tag team to even further add to a pretty powered up tag division. That’d be pretty cool, as it doesn’t seem they want to split these two up, or else we would’ve gotten that on NXT by now. Styles & Dragon VS Je’Von & Leon having such a wild start was great, but also a bit surprising. Even so, Je’Von & Leon got to show what they can do with their aerial moves, but I figured Styles & Dragon would win out as they’re still tag champs.

Miz “interrupting” and being confronted by Truth was some good stuff. It was also a great way to get Joe Hendry back on a main roster special, he might be fast tracked to main roster after this next phase in NXT fighting for that chant at New Year’s Evil. And of course, the main event (despite what stupid fans were speculating would be the opener) was Cena VS Gunther. An awesome main event, of course, really pouring on the false finishes and the drama of that sleeper. The fans obviously made it clear they hated the tap out, and honestly I’m not really for that, either. Obviously Cena was losing, he isn’t one to buck tradition, but Cena doing a pass out with a smile on his face plays so much better than him tapping out with like half a smile on his face.

For that matter, what was that look on Cena’s face in that moment anyway? Cena’s a great actor but I’m not sure he chose the right motivation in this “scene.” Frustrated, upset, reluctant, those are the emotions I’d expect because I’d be like that myself. Not sure if HHH is all to blame, per what the fans were doing, but feels like we need an episode of Unreal on this right away to explain how we got here. In the end, we can’t let this ruin the great night, Cena’s in-ring career has come to an end, and it really makes you look back over the last 25 years and tear up a bit. Truly, for everyone at The Chairshot, #ThankYouCena.

My Score: 9/10