As John Cena continues his WWE retirement tour this year, many fans have eagerly suggested matches that could mark memorable moments in his farewell journey, with Gunther being the standout contender. Known as The Ring General, Gunther is regarded as one of WWE’s most formidable and commanding superstars, excelling both in wrestling and promos. Despite this anticipation, the two champions have yet to share the ring during Cena’s final run.
Currently, Gunther holds the World Heavyweight Championship while John Cena is the Undisputed Champion, and both remain heels on different WWE brands. Nevertheless, Gunther recently shared his belief that a showdown with Cena remains possible before the year ends.
Insights From Gunther on Cena’s Retirement and Potential Matchup
During an interview with Radio Times, Gunther praised John Cena’s decision to embrace a heel persona toward the end of his in-ring career, calling it a fitting and deserved final chapter for the veteran superstar. He acknowledged the value of Cena’s return and expressed excitement over the opportunity to cross paths in the ring, despite their current separation by brand divisions within WWE.
“It’s great for him that he’s able to do that and say, ‘This is the way I want to finish it and the way I want to go out.’ It’s a great way to do it. If somebody deserves it, then it’s him. It’s good to have him back around. Obviously, I have not interacted with him or seen him much because he’s on SmackDown mostly, but who knows, there’s still a long time left, so maybe there’s a chance to get in there with him before he hangs it up.”
— Gunther, WWE World Heavyweight Champion
Gunther went on to highlight Cena’s legendary status in wrestling, emphasizing that Cena’s continued involvement in WWE, despite financial success in his acting career, reflects a genuine commitment to the sport. He described Cena’s decision to devote an entire year to his retirement tour as a gracious gesture that benefits the industry and fans alike.
“He doesn’t need to do it, he’s financially got bigger fish to fry with his movies and he’s a made man already, so there’s no pressure for him to do all of that, but he decided to invest a whole year into this. It’s a very classy way for someone like him to go out and have this one year of giving back and do it one more time.”
— Gunther, WWE World Heavyweight Champion
Scheduled Matches and Future Possibilities
Both John Cena and Gunther are slated to compete at WWE’s upcoming SummerSlam event, though they will not face each other at this show. Gunther is set to defend his World Heavyweight Championship against CM Punk, while Cena will challenge Cody Rhodes in a rematch for the Undisputed Championship. Their separate commitments leave room for a potential collision later during Cena’s retirement tour.
With time still remaining in Cena’s farewell run, fans and commentators alike remain hopeful that the two champions will eventually meet, possibly at a major event like WrestleMania. Such a match would represent a significant moment, pairing two of WWE’s most dominant champions and providing a crowning chapter to Cena’s storied career.
The Significance of a Cena vs. Gunther Showdown
A confrontation between John Cena and Gunther would be a compelling narrative within the larger context of WWE’s current landscape, blending Cena’s legendary veteran status with Gunther’s relentless dominance. It would also symbolize a generational passing of the torch between two of the promotion’s top stars. As the WWE retirement tour progresses, this highly anticipated match could energize the fanbase and underscore Cena’s impact on the industry, while showcasing Gunther as a worthy rival and guardian of WWE’s future.
