End of an Era: Cena Taps Out to Gunther, Triggering Furious Boos for Triple H
John Cena's final match ended in a submission loss to Gunther, a finish that shocked fans and led to massive boos and "You f***ed up!" chants directed at WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H.
The controversial submission finish to John Cena's career has sparked outrage among fans, who felt the decision was wrong for the retiring legend.
The pressure gauge on WWE's farewell spectacle violently snapped from 'Emotional Sendoff' to 'Outright Fury,' courtesy of the shocking finish to John Cena's final match. At Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13th, the 17-time World Champion tapped out to Gunther in the main event the first time Cena had submitted in nearly 20 years a controversial ending that immediately triggered massive fan backlash directed squarely at WWE Chief Content Officer, Triple H.
The 48-year-old wrestling icon, who is officially retired and moving into a five-year ambassador contract with the company, wrestled a brutal contest against Gunther, who won the "The Last Time Is Now" tournament to earn the final challenge. Cena had unusually come into the spotlight on the back of his honest exit plan, acknowledging his short shelf-life and accepting the role of putting over future talent, but the manner of his defeat left the sold-out Capital One Arena stunned.
But Gunther got straight to the business of cementing his own legacy, forcing Cena to submit to a relentless Sleeper Hold. The result was a dramatic conclusion: Gunther won via submission, making him the man who retired Cena and made him tap out for the first time since 2005. As soon as the bell rang, the emotion in the arena changed from shock to intense frustration over the booking decision, with fans immediately turning their anger on the man responsible for the creative direction.
"I will be forgotten," Cena had predicted earlier, but the fans ensured the moment would be remembered, immediately turning their anger on the booker. As Triple H entered the ring to pay tribute to the retiring legend, he was met with a chorus of loud boos and vicious chants of "You f***ed up!" and chants for rival company AEW. Triple H, in a defiant move, told the crowd, "I'm disappointed. I thought it would be so much louder," which only intensified the crowd's anger, despite him later stating the loss was "what is right for the business."
The finish, which saw the iconic figure of "Never Give Up" literally give up, now ties Cena's retirement to one of the most debated endings in recent memory. While Cena maintained his graciousness leaving his boots in the ring and saying, "It's been a pleasure serving you all these years, thank you" the dramatic contradiction between the expected hero's sendoff and the submission loss means the company will, for now, remain embroiled in a high-stakes diplomatic effort to justify a painful loss over a celebratory win.
