Overview
- Cena confirmed on WWE’s YouTube channel that he will retire from in-ring competition after Saturday Night’s Main Event and remain with WWE for five years as an ambassador.
- GUNTHER, who earned the spot by submitting LA Knight to win the cross-brand Last Time Is Now tournament, opened Raw with a promo promising to break Cena’s spirit and force a submission.
- The farewell match is set for Saturday, Dec. 13 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., streaming on Peacock in the U.S. and on YouTube in international markets.
- Cena reiterated that his decision is final and not on his own terms, saying he will step away to avoid diminishing himself or the product.
- WWE is promoting additional exhibition bouts for the show, including NXT Champion Oba Femi vs. Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Sol Ruca vs. Bayley, and AJ Styles and Dragon Lee defending the World Tag Team Titles against Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater, as some fans voice mixed reactions to GUNTHER as Cena’s last opponent.