John Cena’s final WWE match is scheduled for December 2025 at Saturday Night’s Main Event, marking the end of his in-ring career. Amid this farewell, veteran Dutch Mantell defended Cena against longstanding criticism, asserting that the 17-time WWE World Champion never buried other talent during his tenure in the promotion.
Veteran Wrestler Defends John Cena’s Reputation for Respecting Talent
Over the years, John Cena faced criticism from fans who believed his prominence in WWE overshadowed other wrestlers, particularly as he held the company’s spotlight as its leading figure. Some wrestlers struggled to recover from losses against Cena, fueling claims that The Franchise Player diminished emerging talent. However, Dutch Mantell spoke on Story Time with Dutch Mantell, explaining that Cena’s actions were based on self-preservation rather than a desire to suppress other performers.
“I don’t think he held down talent so much as upheld his standing in the company. He didn’t care about that talent. What John Cena cared about, and rightfully so—I’m going to take John’s side on this—is that he didn’t want to hurt himself, and he didn’t have confidence in the creative team,” Mantell said. —Dutch Mantell, Wrestling Veteran
This perspective paints Cena as a cautious performer navigating uncertain creative directions, prioritizing his own career longevity while maintaining respect for his colleagues.
John Cena’s Career Path Through WWE Brands
John Cena began his WWE journey on the SmackDown brand, where he rose to stardom and made a significant impact on the men’s division. His success earned him a move to Monday Night RAW in 2005, which stayed his home for over a decade as he solidified his status as WWE’s face. Returning briefly this year, Cena’s final WWE run has brought him back to SmackDown for several matches, culminating in his planned retirement in December 2025.
While The Leader of Cenation had many memorable bouts across WWE’s brands, his most recent one-on-one SmackDown match before his farewell was against R-Truth, which ended in disqualification. In a recent SmackDown encounter for the United States Championship, Cena faced Sami Zayn, but the match concluded in a double disqualification after Brock Lesnar intervened and struck both competitors with his finishing move.
Significance of Cena’s Final WWE Chapter
John Cena’s departure marks the end of an era for WWE, closing the chapter on one of its most dominant and influential performers. Dutch Mantell’s remarks suggest Cena’s approach to protecting both himself and the industry’s talent was more strategic than antagonistic, offering a new lens on his legacy. Fans can expect the final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event to celebrate Cena’s contributions and influence within the WWE.
This farewell will inevitably spark reflection on how John Cena shaped WWE’s landscape over nearly two decades, influencing emerging talent while commanding the company’s spotlight through shifting eras of professional wrestling.
