After 26 years, over 650 Make-A-Wish visits, and a record 17 world championship reigns, John Cena will step into the ring for the final time next Saturday when Saturday Night’s Main Event streams live from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
The 42nd edition of WWE’s iconic special has been rebranded as “Saturday Night’s Main Event: John Cena’s Final Match,” serving as the culmination of a year-long farewell tour that saw Cena capture his record-breaking 17th world championship at WrestleMania 41 and face legendary rivals including Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles, and Logan Paul.
Gunther won the “Last Time Is Now” tournament on Friday’s SmackDown, defeating LA Knight via submission in the finals to earn the right to face Cena. The Ring General dominated throughout the 16-man bracket, which began November 10 on Raw and featured competitors from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT, including returning names from Cena’s past like Zack Ryder and Dolph Ziggler.
In addition to Cena’s farewell, SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis announced that the winner of the NXT Championship match at NXT Deadline will receive an immediate WWE Championship opportunity at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
At Cena’s request, the undercard will spotlight WWE’s future rather than dwell entirely on the past. Main roster stars will issue open challenges to NXT’s rising talents in exhibition matches, mirroring how Cena himself launched his career by answering Kurt Angle’s open challenge in 2002.
I wanted to have my final match, and then generate the rest of the show to the future,” Cena told Jimmy Kimmel this week.
“The way I came into the business was a major star who was like ‘open challenge.’ On my first day, I was given an opportunity. On my last day, I want to be able to give that same opportunity to someone.
How to Watch Saturday Night’s Main Event: John Cena’s Final Match
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Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
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Start Time: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT
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Location: Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
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Streaming: Peacock (United States), Netflix (International)
Confirmed Matches and Segments
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John Cena’s Final Match: John Cena vs. Gunther
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WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi
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NXT vs. Main Roster Exhibition Matches: To be announced
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Special Guests and Legends: To be announced
Commentary and Hosting
Future WWE Hall of Famer Stephanie McMahon, credited with saving Cena’s career from an early release in 2002, will co-host the event alongside Joe Tessitore.
Michael Cole, who has called the majority of Cena’s matches throughout his career, will handle play-by-play with Wade Barrett providing color commentary.
John Cena’s 2025 Farewell Tour Highlights
Cena announced his retirement at Money in the Bank 2024, giving fans 15 months notice to say goodbye. His 2025 tour included approximately 36 appearances across North America and internationally, including:
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Royal Rumble: Entered at #23, eliminated by eventual winner Jey Uso
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Elimination Chamber: Won by eliminating CM Punk, turned heel on Cody Rhodes
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WrestleMania 41: Defeated Rhodes to capture record-breaking 17th world championship
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SummerSlam: Lost title back to Rhodes in a Street Fight
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Crown Jewel: Defeated AJ Styles for 100th premium live event victory
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Raw (November 10): Won first Intercontinental Championship, completing Grand Slam
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Survivor Series: Lost IC title to Dominik Mysterio in final PLE appearance
John Cena’s End of the Road
Cena has been emphatic that December 13 marks his permanent retirement from in-ring competition.
I am absolutely, 100% done on the 13th of December on Peacock,” Cena said on Jimmy Kimmel Live. “It is my last in-ring performance. I will never wrestle again.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for complete coverage of NXT Deadline and continued updates on Saturday Night’s Main Event.
