Who is John Cena's opponent in final match? How Gunther emerged as the rival for WWE legend's farewell bout

Vishal Bhawani

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Who is John Cena's opponent in final match? How Gunther emerged as the rival for WWE legend's farewell bout image

(WWE.com)

John Cena is set to step inside a WWE ring one last time, closing a two-decade career that shaped modern sports entertainment.

The 17-time world champion, one of the most recognisable figures in WWE history, will officially retire after his farewell match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

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The send-off comes at the end of a farewell tour that began earlier in the year and included major appearances at Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania.

Now, all roads lead to a final emotional showdown.

Who is John Cena's opponent in his final match?

WWE has confirmed that Gunther will face Cena in his retirement bout. The Austrian powerhouse earned the spot by winning The Last Time is Now Tournament, a cross-brand competition featuring 16 superstars from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT.

Gunther defeated LA Knight in the tournament final to clinch the honour. According to WWE, the idea was to ensure Cena’s final opponent “earned” the match through merit rather than reputation, adding an extra layer of stakes to the night.

How did Gunther emerge as the rival?

Gunther’s path to the match was anything but easy. The tournament included returns from past Cena rivals such as Zack Ryder and Dolph Ziggler, plus late twists, like The Miz sneaking back into the bracket after Sheamus withdrew injured.

Gunther, who had earlier lost the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, re-entered the scene through this tournament.

He powered past Carmelo Hayes, Solo Sikoa, and finally LA Knight to secure the spot. His dominant style and long reign as Intercontinental Champion made him a fitting final challenger.

When and where is John Cena’s final match?

Cena will compete for the final time on Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. Saturday Night’s Main Event has been revived as a special series for 2025, and this edition will serve as the emotional capstone of Cena’s storied career.

Saturday Night’s Main Event will kick off at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 13. This translates to 6:30 a.m IST on Sunday, December 14.

How to watch John Cena final match: TV channel and live stream

  • TV Channel:  Sony Sports Network (in English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu)
  • Live stream:  Sony LIV

Saturday Night’s Main Event, which includes John Cena's final match, is also available for live TV broadcast on Sony Sports Network). Streaming options are also available on Sony LIV.

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