Wrestling news: Gunther cements himself as WWE’s top heel by ending John Cena’s career
Gunther, this past Saturday night, put down another legend as ‘The Ring General’ made John Cena give up and cemented himself as the biggest heel in wrestling.
19,232 fans inside the Capital One Arena, along with millions watching around the world, witnessed Gunther tap out the 17-time champion.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Mosaddek Abu reflects on Gunther’s biggest career win.
The most hated man in wrestling
Tapping Cena out in his final match elevated Gunther to a higher ceiling and once again established him as the biggest threat on the roster.
It is rare for a heel to promise something so boldly and then deliver it exactly as described. Gunther said how he was going to beat Cena, and that is precisely what happened.
Fans were left in disbelief. Many had hoped to see Cena achieve one last heroic victory and overcome the threat of The Ring General. Instead, Gunther destroyed that hope and forced fans to confront the realisation that their hero was done.
The opening 15 minutes of Raw this past Monday confirmed it. Gunther walked out to a chorus of boos, revelling in the reaction and reminding everyone that he was the man who made John Cena give up.
No one on the roster draws more hatred than Gunther right now. He robbed fans of Cena ending his career on a high note and stood by his word to make him submit.
Not a single person can stand him. He has finally become WWE’s ultimate supervillain, a monster who is riding the biggest accomplishment of his career and now looks ready to inflict even more damage.
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Rebuilding ‘The Ring General’
There was no better opponent to face Cena in his final match than Gunther.
After losing the World Heavyweight Championship twice this year and being used largely to further other storylines, Gunther’s momentum had cooled significantly compared to his dominant Intercontinental Championship reign.
Defeating Cena adds another defining moment to his WWE legacy. More importantly, it marks the beginning of rebuilding Gunther as the unstoppable force fans came to know during his time as NXT UK Champion and throughout his Intercontinental run.
This is the continuation of Gunther’s true identity. He breaks opponents physically and mentally, positioning himself as the “final boss” of WWE.
Cena gives up
WWE’s creative approach in 2025 has often prioritised moments over long-term storyline progression.
On Saturday night, however, the moment was not cheers. It was boos.
For the first time since No Way Out 2004, John Cena tapped out.
The reaction was reminiscent of the night Brock Lesnar ended The Undertaker’s streak. Everyone inside the arena in Washington, D.C. sat in stunned silence.
Fans willed Cena on, hoping he would overcome yet another seemingly impossible obstacle, as he had done countless times throughout his 23-year career.
But every attempt to summon “Super Cena” was shut down. The relentless physical punishment from Gunther was too much for a body worn down by more than two decades at the top.
At that moment, Cena realised his time had passed and he gave up.
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The frustration from fans was understandable, but it was also the exact reaction WWE needed.
If Cena had won, it would have been a feel-good ending. Fans would have celebrated with their hero one final time, similar to Sting winning his retirement match alongside Darby Allin at AEW Revolution 2024.
The difference is context. The Young Bucks were already established, allowing that ending to work. Cena is the undisputed greatest of all time and has been the face of WWE for over 20 years.
It is also well known that Cena is one of the most selfless performers the company has ever had. If there was an opportunity to transfer the equity he built over 23 years into a new top star, he was always going to take it.
Gunther is still rising.
Now it is imperative that WWE follows through. Gunther ended the career of a beloved superstar and did it entirely on his own terms.
He killed WWE’s Superman, and in doing so, gave himself the opportunity to become the biggest and most hated heel in wrestling.
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