John Cena vs. Gunther could still close Saturday Night’s Main Event despite internet reports
According to WrestleVotes Radio, there are people within WWE that want John Cena’s match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event to close the show. It was noted that while there are not firm details on the placement, Cena opening SNME is “on the table.”
Media personality Andrew Baydala noted the following via Twitter/X…
“I’ve seen the ‘reports’ and I understand they are given what they are given but… I can tell you that as of today, and things change rapidly. John Cena’s last match will NOT open #SNME.”
“On the Cena opening #SNME front- I’m not saying it can’t happen but, think about this for this perspective. TONS of casual eyeballs will be on that show and you are going to have him start and have those eyeballs turn away after? Cena closes keep the audience waiting and the others showcase their talents to a new audience, and say potentially say ‘WOW, WHO IS THAT.'”
On the Cena opening #SNME front- I'm not saying it can't happen but, think about this for this perspective.
TONS of casual eyeballs will be on that show and you are going to have him start and have those eyeballs turn away after?
Cena closes keep the audience waiting and the…
— Andrew Baydala (@AndrewBaydala) December 11, 2025
Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline.com, who previously reported that Cena vs. Gunther would open SNME, stated the following during Wrestling Observer Live…
“Apparently, the internet was really angry yesterday that I talked about John Cena and Gunther opening Saturday night’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. Well, I guess we should start with that.
So listen — they could open with anything they want on Saturday night. On the day of the show, someone may say, ‘You know what? What are we doing? Let’s put the John Cena match on last.’ All I can tell you is this: 100 percent, the idea was that John Cena’s match was going on first. Okay? Now, whether it actually does, we’ll find out on the day of the show. There are a lot of arguments for and against it.
John Cena wants to go on first. It’s John Cena’s retirement match, and he wants to open the show. He has said this publicly, and he has said this privately. Whatever everyone else’s arguments are about where the match should take place, John Cena wants to go on first.
John Cena also legitimately wanted NXT wrestlers on the show so they could be showcased for his final appearance — his final Saturday Night’s Main Event, his final match. He has said this countless times.”