Former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther recently opened up about the significance of retiring John Cena during Saturday Night’s Main Event, describing the match as a career-defining moment. He shared how his unique perspective helped him handle the occasion, as his lack of emotional attachment to Cena’s legacy allowed him to focus on delivering in the ring.
How Gunther Experienced an Unmatched Career Highlight
During an appearance on the podcast What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, Gunther called the match the most important event of his professional life so far. He said,
“It was the biggest thing I’ve done in my career — the first time I was ever part of something with that magnitude where I could really feel like it affects everybody.”
This acknowledgement reveals how much the moment meant to him, highlighting its broad impact across the wrestling community.
Emotional Detachment Shaped Gunther’s Unique Viewpoint
Gunther revealed he did not grow up emotionally connected to Cena like many of his contemporaries. Instead, he identified himself as more of a
“nerd for Japanese wrestling and Indian wrestling,”
often observing the WWE scene from a distance. This outsider’s perspective helped him stay composed backstage despite the charged atmosphere surrounding Cena’s retirement.
He described the day as feeling “more intense than WrestleMania backstage” with everyone deeply invested. Yet Gunther called himself an “emotional stone,” explaining,
“But I catch myself in those moments because I wasn’t a big WWE guy growing up. I was reading results and stuff like that. So I catch myself in the middle of this — the emotional stone that I am — but for my own benefit, it was great to be the guy that can pull the rug on everybody.”
Contrasting Emotions Between Gunther and Cody Rhodes
The conversation with Rhodes, who has a long and personal history with Cena, emphasized the different emotional investments between the two men. Cody Rhodes displayed visible emotion during their chat, while Gunther approached the event as a professional opportunity rather than a nostalgic farewell.
Gunther noted that, unlike Rhodes, he had limited interaction with Cena before their match, only exchanging brief greetings. This distance may have enabled Gunther to maintain his focus purely on the in-ring performance, undistracted by sentiment.
The Commercial Importance of the Cena Match
Gunther highlighted the financial significance of the match, pointing out that not every wrestling contest has the power to attract audiences or ticket sales. He stated,
“Something that’s lost on a bit of the newer generation is not every match sells tickets. And that match — that event — actually sold tickets. The flights for Saturday Night’s Main Event for all of us who were there were paid for by you and him. That was the money match.”
This acknowledgment reflects the business stakes involved and confirms the retirement match as a major draw for fans and the WWE brand alike.
Continuing the Dialogue After the Match
Since the retirement match, Gunther has issued an open invitation to anyone in WWE dissatisfied with how he handled the occasion, declaring he is “very easy to find.” John Cena himself has spoken favorably about the conclusion of the contest, demonstrating mutual respect between the two wrestlers.
Gunther’s role in retiring a legendary figure like John Cena marks a defining chapter in his career and sets a high bar for his future performances. This landmark moment not only elevates Gunther’s standing in WWE but also signifies a transitional period for the company as it navigates the legacies of its most iconic stars.
