Overview
- Gunther defeated LA Knight on the Dec. 5 SmackDown to win the 16-man Last Time Is Now tournament and secure the match.
- Cena said on Jimmy Kimmel Live that he is "absolutely 100 percent done" and called the bout his last in-ring performance, which will stream on Peacock.
- After his victory, Gunther vowed to make Cena submit in the farewell match, and the two have never met one-on-one.
- Cena posted on X that he respects Gunther and believes he earned the right to issue the final challenge.
- Gunther previously retired Goldberg at a July Saturday Night’s Main Event, while industry voices like Bully Ray float low-probability speculation about a late swerve toward WrestleMania.