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WWE SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT REPORT
DECEMBER 13, 2025
WASHINGTON D.C. AT CAPITAL ONE ARENA
STREAMED LIVE ON PEACOCK
Host: Joe Tessitore, Stephanie McMahon
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett
Ring Announcer: Lilian Garcia
Attendance: WrestleTix reports as of showtime that 19,274 tickets were distributed so far; the arena was set up for 19,274. Every seat they could open they opened and it is sold out.
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-They opened with scenes of fans at a fanfest earlier waving their hands in front of their faces. Then they showed Shawn Michaels chatting with Johnny Gargano, Trish Stratus, Kurt Angle, and Mark Henry. They showed some celebrities in the crowd. Then they showed a locker room door with a little poster with John Cena’s name and image.
-The opening montage aired, beginning with G.O.A.T. on the screen. Paul Levesque narrated and said you hear GOAT so much, you forget what it stands for. Then a series of highlights of his career was shown. Levesque said what made him the GOAT is “nothing less than the sacred currency of WWE – that connection, that communion with the crowd. He sees you, he feels you, he hears you, he loves you – every last one.” Then they showed a giant banner outside the arena hanging that said: “One Last Time – Thank You Cena.”
-They cut to the arena where pyro blasted.
-Tessitore hyped the undercard including split-screen images of the wrestlers in each of the WWE vs. NXT matches. They also showed Gunther arriving. Fans booed. Tessitore was standing with Stephanie McMahon at the host desk with the arena and ring as their backdrop. Stephanie spoke about the buzz in the arena and the energy for Cena, and also how Cena wanted to spotlight younger wrestlers on the undercard. Stephanie asked, “Are you ready!?”
(1) CODY RHODES vs. GUNTHER – WWE Champion vs. NXT Champion non-title match
As Cody entered the ring, Michael Cole spoke for the first time. He and Wade Barrett spoke about Cena briefly, then pivoted to Cody’s state of mind. Oba Femi then made his entrance. Cole said Oba Femi regained the NXT Title from Ricky Saints last weekend and had joined WWE three years ago as part of WWE’s NIL program with a great college background at the University of Alabama. He said Shawn Michaels told him he’s never seen anyone take to the business as quickly as Femi. Cole said Oba told him earlier in the day that he belongs there and tonight is the of John Cena and his beginning.
The bell rang 12 minutes into the hour. He said Femi’s father was watching live in Nigeria who has been a WWE fan his entire life. Fans sang “Cody, Cody Rhodes!” They locked up. When Cody dropped down, Femi grabbed him by his throat and gave Cody an Irish Curse backbreaker. Barrett said so far it was a 10-7 round to Femi. (That’s a bit much a minute into the match.) Barrett said this could be the start of a generational takeover of the industry. Femi landed a backbreaker and scored a two count a 4:00.
Cody avoided a charging Femi who went shoulder-first into the ringpost. He followed with a Cody Cutter for a two count. Femi landed an elbow on Cody, knocking him out of mid-air. Cody pulled the top rope down as Femi charged, so Femi landed at ringside. Cody leaped to ringside and tackled Femi. Femi re-entered the ring and caught Cody with a sudden spinebuster. Femi clotheslined Cody over the top rope. Cole asid Cody was favoring his ribs. Femi charged into Cody with an uppercut into the announce desk. Both tumbled over the table. Cole said Cody’s ear was bleeding. Cole wondered if Cody had a busted eardrum. Cody landed a springboard Cody Cutter for a near fall at 9:00.
Drew McIntyre charged into the ring and attacked Cody. Cole said, “What the hell is he doing here? I thought this was ‘an unsafe working environment’!”
WINNER: No contest in 10:00.
-Oba stood and eyed Drew angrily. Drew poked him in the chest. Ova shoved Drew down. Cole said Drew ruined the match not just for Cody, but also Femi. Cody gave Drew a Cody Cutter. Femi then gave Drew a chokeslam. “That damn McIntyre,” Cole said. “The hypocrite!” Femi and Cody eyed each other. Cody picked up both belts. Cody tossed Femi the NXT Title belt. He then raised Oba’s arm. Cody’s eright ear was a bloody mess. Barrett said Femi might dominate for the next 15-plus years. Oba then raised Cody’s arm. Cole said Cody is QB1 and “hopes to replace John Cena, and already has, as the face of WWE.”
(Keller’s Analysis: This felt like the “obvious” finish given the way WWE operates with their booking. Cole did a nice job conveying disgust with Drew ruining a good match. I don’t think fans were all that invested in who won this match, and it was more the novelty of seeing a first-time match-up with two champions. The action was solid enough and Femi looked powerful and had a presence.)
-They went to Barrett and Cole at ringside. Barrett said Femi has a bright future. Cole said Cena said tonight is about the future, including Femi and next Sol Ruca.
-A video package aired of mainstream media covering Cena’s retirement.
-A commercial aired for tickets for WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on Jan. 24. [c]
-Another video aired with wrestlers paying tribute to John Cena including C.M. Punk, Stephanie McMahon, and Charlotte Flair. Punk even said he wouldn’t be back in WWE if it weren’t for him. “Contrary to popular belief, he always inspired him,” he said. “As always, I’m just following your lead.” Punk was teared up.
-Cole commented on festivities going on regarding Cena in D.C. He then talked about Cena’s stats. It noted tonight would be Cena’s 726th televised match and he debuted 8,570 days ago on June 27, 2002.
-They showed Jon Bernthal, Chuck Zito, and Tyrese Haliburton at ringside.
(2) BAYLEY (w/Lyra Valkyria) vs. SOL RUCA (w/Zaria)
Bayley’s ring entrance took place first. Bayley hugged Trish Status and Eve Torres in the front row. Cole said Bayley has been struggling internally lately with some good days and bad days. Barrett said she seems to be on an even keel tonight after being erratic at times. Cole said Bayley met Cena at an autograph signing years ago and followed in Cena’s footsteps. Coles said Ruca wasn’t sure she wanted to do this. He said she wanted to be a stunt double after being part of acrobatics and tumbling at the University of Oregon. She said that sport allowed her to prepare herself for the ring. Barrett said that helps you learn to catch human beings and essentially it’s wrestling training before she got anywhere near NXT. He said that’s why she’s been on the fast track. The bell rang 37 minutes into the hour.
Barrett said Bayley is feeling pressure since she’s facing someone she’s expected to beat. Ruca showed off some of her acrobatics early. Cole said Bayley was caught off guard a bit. Ruca threw Bayley to ringside after a superkick at 3:00. Ruca landed a handspring backflip dive onto Bayley. Ruca landed a top rope cartwheel into a DDT for a two count a minute later. Bayley caught Ruca mid-air and landed a Belly-to-Bayley for a two count. Cole, “No disrespect to NXT, but this a completely different ballgame.” He talked about the sellout of over 19,000 with bright lights and celebrities.
Ruca scored a near fall on a backslide. Bayley recovered, but Ruca countered a Rose Plant with a single-arm handspring. Ruca then landed a quick running knee to the chest leading to a near fall. Bayley delivered a Rose Plant, but Ruca’s legs were on the bottom rope so the ref stopped his count. Bayley snapped a bit and started punching away aggressively at Ruca. Barrett said Bayley was showing frustration. Bayley climbed to the top rope and delivered a leaping elbow, but Ruca lifted her knees. Ruca then rolled up Bayley for a near fall. Ruca then caught Bayley with a Soul Snatcher. Bayley rolled out of the ring. Ruca pulled he back. Bayley caught Ruca with a roll-up, but Ruca reversed it for a three count.
Ruca showed disbelief and joy. Cole called it easily the best match of her career. Bayley raised Ruca’s arm afterward and was a great sport in congratulating her.
WINNER: Sol Ruca in 9:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: Given Bayley’s place on the roster right now, and how much the announcers talked about Ruca being such an underdog, it seemed like they were priming viewers for an upset. I think Ruca’s ring style stood enough that it was a good choice to put her in this position on a night like this. Bayley did a great job with her.)
-Cole plugged The Last Time Is Now Superstore in Downtown D.C. packed with Cena merchandise.
-Cole hyped Cena vs. Gunther.
-Another video aired of wrestlers paying tribute to Cena including Sheamus, Rob Van Dam, Corey Graves, Becky Lynch, Michael Hayes, Tom “Stew” Stewart (the cameraman), Michael Cole, and Cody Rhodes. Cody said, “Thanks for the house.” [c]
-More soundbites from wrestlers paying tribute to Cena including Undertaker, who said, “Well John, you’re an O.G. now.” He added, “Just want to thank you for carrying on a legacy and helping WWE go to levels it might not have never reached without John Cena.” The Rock thanked him for his passion and commitment. He said they have a crazy history and have broken records as a team. He told him to go have fun.
-They showed Michelle McCool, Mark Henry, Kurt Angle, Eve Torres, Trish Stratus, Rob Van Dam, and Sami Zayn in the front row.
-They went to Cole and Barrett at ringside. Cole thanked Taz, “the man who sat here and called the first night Kurt Angle faced Cena.” He said JBL coined the phrase “Big Match Cena.” He also thanked Corey Graves, Jim Ross, and Jerry Lawler.
-They went back to Tessitore and Stephanie. Stephanie said she know Cole is nervous about calling Cena’s last match. She touted Ruca’s athleticism and said she never wants to be on the receiving end of a Soul Snatcher. Tessitore said the entire event feels like a funeling toward a single moment. Stephanie said they are all waiting for John Cena’s final match and it’s why they are all there. She said the vibe is so special. She said, “John, we can see you for the last time tonight.”
(3) A.J. STYLES & DRAGON LEE vs. JE’VON EVANS & LEON SLATER – World Tag Team Title match
Evans and Slater made separate entrances. He said Slater’s family is staying up late in England to watch him. Cole said both are 23 years old. Barrett said neither were born when Cena started his career, then added, “That’s disgusting!” Lee made his entrance next followed by Styles. The bell rang 6 minutes into the hour. Evans and Slater caught Styles and Lee with stereo superkicks. They each hit dives to ringside. Barrett said they were starting the match at 100 miles an hour. Evans landed a top rope splash and then scored a near fall on Lee a minute in.
Lee made a comeback and landed a sitout powerbomb. Evans landed an OG Cutter on Styles a minute later. Slater tagged in and landed a top rope 450 Swanton for a near fall. Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but slipped and fell. Slater seized the chance to cover him for a near fall. Slater dragged Styles to the corner. Styles stood and caught Slater mid-ring and landed a Styles Clash for the win.
Styles helped Evans up and all four stood in the ring and posed together.
WINNER: Styles & Lee in 6:00 to retain the World Tag Team Titles.
(Keller’s Analysis: I’m going to assume the slip wasn’t intentional since it didn’t seem to play into the finishing sequence. A short match, but it did manage to be a showcase for what makes Slater and Evans special.)
-Cole showed different sports teams sending out messages on TwitterX for Cena.
-Another video aired with wrestlers including The Miz, Big E, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods, Alexa Bliss, Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and Kane touting Cena being generous with advice and greeting wrestlers in the back after watching their matches. [c]
-Soundbites aired with Tom Brady, Jimmy Kimmel, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, Jalen Brunson, Lil Tachty, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jelly Bean.
-They showed Metro Boomin at ringside and a Medal of Honor recipient at ringside who was honored.
-They went back to Tessitore and Stephanie. Stephanie said she is getting emotional and almost doesn’t want this match to happen. Tessitore said Gunther said he’s going to make Cena tapout and give up for good. She said the match is going to be awesome. At that moment, Miz was standing pacing in the ring and took over finishing the word “Awesome!”
-Miz ranted about this night happening as if he didn’t exist. He said he’s been a main character in Cena’s career and they are focused on new and up and coming Superstars instead of him, the man who beat him at WrestleMania. “I demand respect!” he said. R-Truth came out to his music. He said saw the footage of Miz in the Last Time Is Now tournament. “You did something inappropriate with Nick Aldis’s balls,.” He said the person who stole an opportunity from is written in the plastic ball in his hands. He handed it to Miz. The slip of paper said Joe Hendry. Hendry then appeared on the ring apron in his ring gear. Miz yelled for them to turn off his stupid music. Miz took a swing. Hendry blocked it and gave Miz a fallaway slam into a kip up. Truth and Hendy delivered a stereo Five Knuckle Shuffle. Hendry ten delivered a signature one-armed slam for a three count, as counted by Truth. Hendry and Truth waved to their arms together to Hendry’s song.
-Cole announced official attendance of 19,232. Cole plugged tickets for the next SNME in January.
-They went back to Tessatore and Stephanie who threw to a video thanking Cena.
(4) JOHN CENA vs. GUNTHER
Gunther made his entrance first. Cole said Gunther has made a career of making people give up. Cole said Cena has not tapped out in more than 20 years and he has never given up in that venue. Barrett wondered if there was enough juice left in Cena to withstand what Gunther can do. After a dramatic pause after Gunther’s music stopped, fans chanted for Cena. Cena’s music played and fans went bonkers. Cena hugged the wrestlers at ringside shown earlier along with Elias, Kevin Owens,Haku, and Booker T. Lilian Garcia then did ring introductions. She did called John Cena “the last real champion.” (Ugh.)
The bell rang 41 minutes into the hour. After a collar and elbow hook-up, Gunther stepped out of the ring onto the ring apron. Back in the ring, Cena rallied and hit a shoulder tackle and slam. He looked to the crowd and signaled for You Can’t See Me. He then landed the Five Knuckle Shuffle at 3:00. Gunther staggered to his feet. Cena lifted him for an Attitude Adjustment, but Gunther escaped with a back suplex. Cole said Gunther is in his prime. Gunther clotheslined Cena and then applied a sleeper. Cena escaped and applied an STFU mid-ring. Gunther crawled to the bottom rope. Gunther kicked out of it and then landed a dropkick. He followed with a powerbomb. Fans booed and chanted “F— you, Gunther!”
Gunther hit Cena with a lariat. Cole said with Gunther, there is no wasted motion and everything is done with malice. Gunther hit a running clothesline. Fans chanted “Let’s Go Cena!” Gunther hit another running clothesline. Cole said Gunther is a throwback who reminds him of wrestlers in the 1970s and ’80s. Gunther hit another clothesline. Cole said Gunther is trying to punish and embarrass Cena at this point. Fans chanted, “Super Cena!” Cena made a comeback with two shoulder tackles and a back suplex. He then did another Five Knuckle Shuffle into an AA, and this time, Gunther did not escape. It led to a dramatic two count. Barrett said that’s the most Cena has defeated everyone with in his career.
Cena went for another AA, but Gunther escaped and chopped Cena’s back. Then he applied a sleeper. Cena sat up and then stood and then applied a sleeper of his own. Cole said that’s what Jey Uso used to beat Gunther with at WrestleMania. Gunther rolled under the bottom rope to ringside. When Cena went after Gunther, Gunther chopped him at ringside and then threw him into the ringside steps. Gunther gloated. Fans chanted “Asshole!” at him. Gunther put Cena on the ringside steps near the announce table. Barrett said he’s looking to destroy the man on his final night. Cena lifted Gunther and delivered an AA through the announce table. Cena and Gunther were both down and slow to get up. Fans chanted “Holy shit!”
Back in the ring, Cena landed a top rope legdrop to the back of Gunther’s neck for a two count. Fans chanted “You still got it!” Cena signaled for You Can’t See Me. He said it’s the last one, so he needs to hear it from the fans. They chanted, “You can’t see me!” Gunther got up and gave Cena a boot to the face. Barrett said Cena did too much talking. Gunther powerbombed Cena for a near fall at 16:00.
Gunther climbed to the top rope. Cena knocked him off balance with an uppercut. Cena then lifted Gunther onto his shoulders and landed a second rope AA for a two count. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” They stood and exchanged strikes mid-ring. Cena went for another AA, but Gunther countered into a powerbomb. He followed up with a top rope splash for a two count. “Now Gunther’s ticked off!” said Cole. Gunther called for Cena to stand. Fans chanted, “Super Cena!”
Gunther put Cena in a sleeper as soon as Cena stood. Cole said Cena appeared to be fading. Cena stood, though, and powered out. Gunther re-applied it and pulled Cena to the mat. Cena kept trying to power out, but Gunther would cinch it back on. “Gunther does not let up!” said Cole. “He’s a damn machine.” Cena finally escaped and hit a quick AA for another near fall. Gunther then put Cena in a sleeper again immediately. Barrett said it’s become sleeper vs. AA and sleeper was winning the battle. Fans chanted, “Don’t give up!” The ref raised Cena’s arm. It dropped once and twice. Cole said, “The future looks bleak.” Cena’s arm didn’t drop a third time.
Gunther dropped rapid-fire elbows to Cena’s neck and shoulder and then applied another sleeper. Cena frowned and then tapped out. The energy in the arena just deflated. They cut to fans looking on in shock and actually crying. One guy mouthed, “What the f—!” Kids were disheartened. Barrett said Gunther just became the standard-bearer in the industry. Cole said 19,000 fans were in shock and he was in shock. Cole said nobody wanted to see Cena’s career end this way. He said after Goldberg, Gunther has become a certified career-killer.
WINNER: Gunther in 24:00.
(Keller’s Analysis: That was the right finish, but the crowd reacted exactly as you’d anticipate, and it was the reason I had advocated for Dominik Mysterio being Cena’s last opponent if WWE wanted a feel-good ending for the crowd. But this worked, and I thought Cena going out on his shield, so to speak, was the best way to finish as it really put over Gunther in the process, giving Gunther bragging rights for his remaining years as an active wrestler. Gunther won clean, too, so it can’t be used against him when he eventually likely turns babyface.)
-Fans chanted, “Bullshit.” Cena sat up and kneeled and kissed the canvas. Fans chanted “Thank you, Cena!” Cena stood and said, “That’s all I got. Thank you so much.” Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon walked out, followed by Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, C.M. Punk, Cody Rhodes, , and others. Fans chanted, “You f—ed up!” (I assume at Triple H for his booking of that finish?)
Punk and Cody entered the ring. Punk said, “I love you.” He and Cody put their belts over Cena’s shoulders (since he is “the last real champion,” after all). The rest of teh locker room circled the ring and applauded as fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena!” Cena raised his arms. Cody and Punk kneeled in the corner. Punk said, “one more time!” Cena held up the belts for presumably Stew to shoot. Cena handed the belts back to Cody and Punk. Cena hugged Levesque. Fans booed. Levesque broke into laughter. He pointed at the big screen.
-A final video package aired on Cena. They showed an inset image of Cena watching. It included a Vince McMahon statement saying “there is a goodness about him you want to be part of.” (It was recorded years ago.)
Cena bowed center ring as fans chanted, “Thank you, Cena!” Cena placed his shoes in the middle odf the ring along with his headband and wristbands and awlked to the back. He slapped hands with fans as he walked to the back. He paused and looked around at the arena and then winked back at everyone in the ring before bowing and saluting the camera. He said, “It’s been a pleasure serving [inaudible], thank you.” He then left through the entrance tunnel.
(Keller’s Analysis: I think that worked really well. It was quite a meta-moment to have a crowd jeering Levesque for booking Cena to lose to Gunther, as if Cena wasn’t in favor of it if not insistent on it himself. As much as I decry Cena using the phrase “the last real champion” for himself, the symbolism of being handed the belts by Punk and Cody and then handing them back to them helped by creating a “pass the torch” moment. The crowd didn’t get to hear Cena actually speak to them after the loss and thank them, but he spoke to them off-mic and his body language conveyed a lot of gratitude. That was quite a quote from Vince McMahon they chose to include, given the irony of the scandalous and shameful way his stint with WWE came to a close: “There’s a goodness about him you want to be part of.” I suppose people can read into that choice.)
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