WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett did not mince words when discussing the conclusion of John Cena’s final match against Gunther.
Speaking on his My World podcast, Jarrett tore into the creative decision to have Cena lose via submission in his retirement bout. He specifically rejected the defense that it is a “time-honored tradition” for wrestling legends to go out on their backs.
“This mythical time honored tradition… That is the biggest bunch of bullsh*t I’ve ever heard… It almost goes against the grain of every territory and really even through Hulkamania days and the nineties, and all this. What do you do to a legend? You protect them. You make up for their shortcomings in the ring,” Jarrett argued.
Jarrett expressed that having Cena submit was a betrayal of the character’s core identity and his real-world impact.
“Why do I think it was the single dumbest finish? Because I think it is a direct slap in the face of our industry. ‘Never give up.’ Do you know how impactful it is if I’m in a room full of bankers or TV executives or friends or whoever it may be, and I can look in the face of a non-wrestling fan and say, ‘Do you know who holds the record for the most Make-A-Wish visits in the history of that organization? It’s a professional wrestler. It’s John Cena.’”
He concluded by pointing to the crowd’s hostile reaction—including chants for the rival promotion—as proof the booking failed.
“His whole mantra, ‘Hustle, loyalty, respect, never give up.’ And you’re going to give this bullsh*t that we got to get heat on a heel, and a time honored tradition? It’s the silliest, most ridiculous argument that people are throwing up because when the fans are chanting in the post-show… How could you come up with another scenario where the fans are chanting AEW?”
Despite the controversy surrounding his final match, John Cena is already moving on to his next chapter. It was recently announced that Cena will make his first post-retirement public appearance at MEGACON Orlando in March 2026, where he will participate in meet-and-greets with fans.
