Friday’s SmackDown revealed Cena’s last opponent and set up major storylines heading into next week’s show
Friday night’s SmackDown delivered several memorable moments, but none bigger than the reveal of John Cena’s final opponent. Gunther emerged victorious from The Last Time Is Now tournament, defeating LA Knight to secure the right to face the legendary wrestler in what will be his retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13 in Washington, D.C.
The episode also continued building tensions between Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre, showing their rivalry remains far from settled. Rhodes continues displaying visible anger whenever McIntyre appears, suggesting their conflict will escalate in coming weeks.
Four championship matches highlight the evening
The evening featured several title defenses that kept fans engaged throughout the broadcast. Number 1, Ilja Dragunov successfully retained the United States Championship against Carmelo Hayes in an intense matchup. Number 2, Alexa Bliss secured a victory over Kairi Sane in women’s division action. Number 3, Jade Cargill defended the WWE Women’s Championship against Alba Fyre, maintaining her dominant reign. Number 4, the main event saw Gunther overcome LA Knight in the tournament final.
These matches served dual purposes, both entertaining the live crowd and setting up future storylines that will unfold in upcoming weeks. The championship scene across multiple divisions appears poised for significant developments as the year draws to a close.
Gunther presents interesting choice for historic moment
The Austrian wrestler’s selection as Cena’s final opponent has sparked discussion among fans and analysts. While Gunther represents a solid choice, some question whether he’s the ideal candidate for such a significant moment in WWE history.
Gunther already holds status as a former world champion and established main event performer. Adding a victory over Cena to his resume certainly carries weight, but he’s already proven himself at the highest level. Some fans had hoped for a rising star who could benefit more substantially from the rub of defeating one of wrestling’s all-time greats.
The comparison to Dominik Mysterio is particularly interesting. The younger Mysterio hasn’t captured world championship gold yet but appears destined for that achievement. A victory over Cena in his final match could have provided massive momentum for his career trajectory. However, Mysterio already defeated Cena at Survivor Series in San Diego, Cena’s hometown, which carries its own significance.
Second legend retirement this year for Gunther
Should Gunther defeat Cena on Dec. 13, he’ll achieve something remarkable by retiring two wrestling legends within a single calendar year. He already defeated Goldberg in his retirement match back in July, establishing himself as someone who closes chapters on legendary careers.
This pattern could evolve into a new character dimension for Gunther. A Legend Killer persona would differentiate him from his current presentation and create fresh storyline possibilities. Randy Orton famously carried that moniker earlier in his career, setting up a potential Legend Killer versus Legend Killer showdown between the two.
There’s also growing speculation about Chris Jericho potentially returning to WWE for a retirement run. If that materializes, Gunther could be positioned as the natural opponent for that farewell as well.
Logic suggests Gunther should win decisively
From a booking perspective, Gunther defeating Cena makes the most sense. He’s remaining with WWE while Cena exits, and he’ll be among the athletes carrying the company forward for years to come. Giving him the victory reinforces his position at the top of the card.
The only scenario where a Cena victory might make narrative sense involves the location. Saturday Night’s Main Event takes place in Washington, D.C., and a patriotic Cena winning in the nation’s capital could provide an emotional sendoff. However, that feels like a stretch given Cena’s well-known respect for the business and his likely preference to lose his final match.
Cena has consistently demonstrated understanding of how wrestling works. He’s repeatedly put over younger talent throughout his career, recognizing the importance of building tomorrow’s stars. Expecting anything different for his retirement match would go against everything he’s shown about his approach to the industry.
The result matters less than the moment
Ultimately, who wins on Dec. 13 carries less importance than how WWE handles the celebration afterward. The focus should be on honoring Cena’s incredible career and contributions to professional wrestling. Fans deserve an extended post-match tribute filled with gratitude and respect from his peers and the WWE Universe.
Cena earned his Greatest of All Time status through years of dedication, memorable matches and carrying WWE through various eras. His final night should reflect that legacy with a proper farewell that acknowledges everything he’s accomplished. Whether Gunther’s hand gets raised or not, the real victory will be giving Cena the sendoff he deserves after an extraordinary career.