John Cena Confirms His Final Match Will Headline WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event

John Cena has officially confirmed that his retirement match against Gunther will close WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event, ending days of speculation about its placement on the card. Confusion escalated after Cena’s recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where his phrasing led some fans to assume he might open the show rather than headline it. The misunderstanding spread quickly online, prompting Cena to address it directly during Friday’s The Pat McAfee Show.

Asked bluntly if he was wrestling first, John Cena dismissed the rumor with humor. He explained that he had clearly stated he was “ending the show” during his Kimmel interview and noted that his comment about staying up late should have made the timing obvious. He referred to the online debate as people “stirring the pot” for clicks and emphasized that the plan remains unchanged: his match closes the event.

Cena added that he would adapt if WWE made an unexpected switch, but everything discussed internally points to a confirmed main event slot (via Fightful).

“That is pizzagate, homie. I was on Jimmy Kimmel, I said I’m ending the show. I said, ‘I normally go to bed early but I’m going to have to stay up late for this one.’ I guess people didn’t read between the tea leaves. We’re last. I don’t know how the rumor started. I think some folks with credibility like to kick a hornet’s nest and get people chattering. I understand, we’re in the age of information, and what’s going to keep my attention. ‘You’re not last?’ Sure, that’ll keep my attention. I don’t know how that started. It’s difficult to conceptualize that. I don’t make the menu. If I show up tomorrow and they want me to go on first, that’s what I’ll do, but we are last at this moment,” he said.

That decision aligns with WWE’s presentation of the event, which is structured like a premium live event, complete with expanded pre- and post-broadcast coverage on Peacock. Saturday Night’s Main Event is already projected to break the all-time arena gate record with revenue exceeding $4 million. With a confirmed sellout and heightened anticipation, WWE is treating the show as a significant event for its year-end programming.