Randy Orton was noticeably absent from Saturday Night’s Main Event, and his non-appearance reportedly caused some backstage disappointment.
The Apex Predator was in Saudi Arabia promoting the 2026 Royal Rumble, which prevented him from attending John Cena’s final match in Washington, D.C. Given their storied history, many within the company had hoped Orton would be present for the farewell.
Additionally, Fightful Select reports that the emotional nature of the event led to several unscripted moments. Cody Rhodes’ tearful ringside interview and portions of the post-match segment following Cena’s loss were said to be unplanned, reacting largely to the live crowd’s energy.
Looking ahead, WWE’s holiday and European tours are set to feature major matchups, including CM Punk vs. Bronson Reed, Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre, and a Triple Threat match involving Stephanie Vaquer, IYO SKY, and Raquel Rodriguez.