John Cena Taps Out as WWE Universe Cheers NXT Superstars’ Rise

Saturday Night’s Main Event was an emotional one, as it was John Cena’s last match of his career in the main event. Along the way we saw interferences, surprises, and lots of acrobatic moves. It looks like the WWE may be in good hands as the NXT talent showed up to play. That said, let us look at the action that took place at the Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C.

The night began with a clash between NXT Champion Oba Femi and Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. Both superstars received a great ovation upon entering the ring. Femi dominated the beginning of the match, as the two played on his inability to be put down. 

Then, Rhodes dodged an attack by Femi in the corner, sending the NXT champ into the ring turnbuckle. This matchup was a solid one with both superstars hitting their signature moves, highlighted by Femi giving Rhodes an uppercut onto the announce table. This caused the Universal Champion’s ear to bleed.

Just as the match was heating up inside the ring, the crowd reacted to someone off camera. That ended up being Drew McIytre, who caused a no-contest after attacking his rival, Cody Rhodes. Despite the element of surprise, Oba and Cody hit their finishers on Drew before acknowledging each other. I suppose neither champ could lose, so they needed to continue the storyline between Drew and Cody. It was a great match marred by an unnecessary finish.

In the next match of the night, the WWE Universe witnessed the wicked athleticism of Sol Ruca. Ruca shone everywhere in this matchup. She hit Bayley with an X Factor, cart wheel off the top into a DDT, and her finishing move called the Sol Snatcher (you need to YouTube this because words will not do it justice). Bayley did have some offense in the competition, but ultimately fell to the NXT up-and-comer after a roll-up pin. After the match, Bayley, Sol Ruca, Zaria, and Lyra all did a salute in honor of John Cena.

Then, the Tag Team Champions, AJ Styles and Dragon Lee, took on Je’Von Carter and TNA X Division Leon Slater. Carter was the first to enter the ring with energy, and he was swinging the camera back and forth. 

With all four now in the ring, it was time for some action. Carter and Evans took it to the champs, with their high-flying moves and a frog splash. Dragon Lee and AJ Styles found their momentum, as Lee delivered a sit-down powerbomb and Styles hit his signature moves. However, the challengers kept coming back as Carter hit his OG cutter. That would not work well as AJ hit his Styles Clash for the victory. Just as the four women did before them, all four men did Cena’s signature “You Can’t See Me” move as a salute.

Before we got to the main event, we got a questionable segment. The Miz stood in the ring and demanded respect for his history with John Cena. This prompted the appearance of R-Truth, all dressed in Cena gear, who gave the Miz a ball from the “Last Time is Now” tournament. The Miz said his name, and he appeared, Joe Hendry. Truth and Hendry did a five-knuckle shuffle on the Miz. This did not really need to happen, but at least it got Joe Hendry on the show.

Finally, there was only one date left on the calendar for John Cena. His opponent is none other than the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion and NXT UK Champion, Gunther. Cena entered to a deafening pop, with the fans singing all the lyrics to the song. This story was about a washed-up veteran getting dominated by a villainous opponent.

It was not Cena’s greatest match, and it had some highlights. Cena delivered four AA’s, including one onto the announce table and one off the second rope. Fans chanted some curse words at Gunther throughout the match, but also chanted “Super Cena” to rally the vet. It felt like most of this match was Cena in a sleeper hold, and him attempting to get out of it. After a last gasp AA and kickout, Cena smiled into the camera and tapped out to Gunther. WWE fans and superstars alike were upset by the finish of the match, even chanting ‘bull****’ and Cena tried to calm them down.

Reality set in as John Cena soaked in the love and praise from the WWE Universe, and the whole locker room came out. Triple H, Chief Content Officer, received plenty of boos from the fans. CM Punk and Cody Rhodes gave Cena their belts for the last time. 

He then appeared emotional during a video package showcasing his career.

John Cena then took off his gear and walked off into the sunset, bowing on his way out. Fans were seen ambushing Gunther outside the arena, as they continued to voice their displeasure. Whether or not it was the right decision will be debated, but one thing is for certain. John Cena’s time is up, and NXT superstars’ time is now.