D.C. hosted WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show at Capital One Arena featuring John Cena's final match.
Pro wrestling star Gunther (upper left) applies a chocking move on John Cena (bottom center) during Cena’s retirement match at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE)
Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE
A wide shot of over 19,000 spectators at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Mike Marques/WWE)
Photo by Mike Marques/WWE
John Cena aims to hit Gunther during his retirement match on WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE)
Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE
John Cena prepares to do his signature move on Gunther during his final professional wrestling match at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
Professional wrestler John Cena plays to the crowd as Gunther watches before his retirement match WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
John Cena looks at the audience after losing his retirement match WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
Professional wrestler John Cena makes his entrance before his retirement match at WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by WWE)
Photo by WWE
John Cena bows to the crowd in D.C.’s Capital One Arena after WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
WWE wrestler Gunther applies a sleeper move on John Cena during WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event in D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE)
Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE
Professional wrestler John Cena salutes the crowd in D.C.’s Capital One Arena after WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event show on Dec. 13, 2025.
(Photo by WWE)
WTOP’s José Umaña talked to fans about the results, with many traveling long distances to get to D.C. for the event.
“It really sucked that John Cena lost,” said Winston, who traveled from California for the match. “We lost a great legend today. It won’t be the same and there won’t be another John Cena.”
Antonio also came from California to see Cena one last time.
“I did not think I would ever see Cena tap out,” Antonio said.
After a career spanning over 20 years, he said it was hard to see it end like that.
“John Cena’s model was always ‘never give up,'” Antonio said.
But, he said, it was worth the trip across the U.S. for the event.
“I had to see the ‘GOAT,’ the greatest of all time, retire. It’s 100% worth it. Win or lose, it didn’t matter. He’s still the best,” he said.
Patrick said it was his first WWE match and he traveled from Florida for it.
“It was a great match,” Patrick said. “I kind of figured it was going to come to an end like that, but the rest of the other matches were pretty good.”
Earl B. Bryant told WTOP that the match showed those watching what the future holds.
“Tonight it didn’t go the way that the people wanted, but the ‘The Ring General’ did what was necessary by taking the energy out of this place and paving the way for the new,” Bryant said. “Gunther is the future of wrestling.”
Blake came from Nova Scotia in Canada said the matches the whole night were entertaining for fans.
“I really enjoyed the card, but just the ending could have been a lot better,” Blake said. “It was probably his idea to tap out, honestly. But, I mean, wonderful career. He’s the ‘GOAT’ for a reason,” he said.
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José Umaña is a digital editor for WTOP. He’s been working as a journalist for almost a decade, covering local news, education and sports. His work has appeared in The Prince George’s Sentinel, The Montgomery Sentinel, Orlando Sentinel, PressBox and The Diamondback.
