John Cena Reflects On Criticism Of Tapping Out In His Retirement Match

It’s been about six months since John Cena tapped out in the final match of his career, and he recently reflected on the fan reaction. Cena lost his retirement match to Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event in mid-December. The match ended when Gunther locked in the sleeper and Cena eventually smiled and tapped out.

The finish was confounding to a number of fans given Cena’s “Never Give Up” mantra. Cena was asked about the criticism during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. He noted that he is still happy with the creative decision to the finish and understands that it was a “bold” decision, one that wasn’t going to make everyone happy. You can see the highlights below:

On Tapping Out In His Last Match:

“Well, it’s — and again, I’m speaking from my perspective. And I am aware that everything I say is going to create chatter, and that’s a good thing because hopefully people were interested.

“But there’s no right way to please everyone when you’re truly closing away closing a a 23, 24 year old journey where our fans have invited me into their living room 52 weeks a year, plus ancillary premium live events for 23, 24 years. The best you can do is is do all you can. And that honestly that’s where the moment of clarity and fulfillment came from where it’s like, at the end of my physical journey in the WWE after that last match. Listening to the noise one final time, knowing that, ‘Man, I don’t think I can’t give another ounce.’ What a way to close that chapter.”

On the Divisive Fan Reaction:

“It’s a bold creative decision. Just like the John Cena heel turn is a bold creative decision. It’s — you’re not gonna please everyone. Our fans are very vocal and very involved, which is why I’m excited about the future of what’s to come where we can try to involve them more, and hopefully crowning a champion of the John Cena Classic. But it’s those moments where you do take a risk, you do travel outside the predictable norm, and that incites conversation. And you got to be ready for all angles of that.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit The Rich Eisen Show with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.