John Cena explains why he smiled during the tap out to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event
As seen during Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th 2025, John Cena lost to Gunther in his final match by tapping out. While appearing on Cody Rhodes’ podcast, Cena explained why he smiled during the tap out…
“For the last five minutes, everything I preach about story and drama and having a conversation with the audience… the ones I love are in the front row. I know my colleagues are watching on the monitor back there. We’re just in a Sleeper Hold, man, but we’re having that conversation with the audience.
As I essentially take my last breath, I have struggled. If you think of somebody, the natural causes scenario or however we picture loss in our life, all of us have been through it. They struggle. They hang on just long enough to make sure to say goodbye to everybody that’s been meaningful in their lives.
And that whole day was so many unbelievably vulnerable, meaningful conversations. And then you realize, I’ve connected with everybody I love. Physically, I feel great. I think it’s time to take that last breath. And that’s that. I hate to keep going back morbidly to obituaries, but like… this person died peacefully.
And knowing that like, man, we are in a good place. We’re going to be great going forward. The bottom of the t-shirt says ‘I gave everything, thank you for everything.’ And in that one moment, that was that. Going peacefully.” (quote courtesy of WrestlePurists.com)
John Cena opens up on why he smiled during his final moments before tapping out to Gunther:
“I connected with everyone i love, it’s time to take that last breath”
OH MY GOD 💔
(What Do you wanna talk about)
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) December 18, 2025