Is WWE planning to fire Triple H amid fallout from John Cena's retirement match?

Triple H is under a lot of fire amid John Cena’s horrendous retirement run.

If you watched Saturday Night’s Main Event, you likely felt it instantly. This wasn’t just another match ending; it felt like a pop culture shockwave. John Cena, the embodiment of “Never Give Up,” tapped out to Gunther.

Inside the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., disbelief turned into anger. The crowd didn’t just boo the result; they rejected the moment. What followed has fueled speculation that this creative decision could have serious consequences for WWE’s top executive.

John Cena vs Gunther’s controversial ending got a hostile reaction

Triple H has been guiding WWE’s creative direction since late 2022, ushering in what many fans dubbed a “Renaissance Era.” Long-term storytelling returned, and characters felt layered again. But 2025 has tested that goodwill.

Ending Cena’s career with a submission loss stunned fans who viewed it as a betrayal of character, not just a defeat. When Triple H appeared after the match, expecting “Thank You Cena” chants, the reaction was far harsher. The arena rang out with “You f**ked up,” directed squarely at the Chief Content Officer.

It was uncomfortable, loud, and impossible to ignore. And according to former WWE head writer Vince Russo, it may signal something much bigger.

Vince Russo sounds the alarm

Speaking on the Coach & Bro podcast, Russo framed the backlash as more than a knee-jerk reaction. In his view, the crowd response was cumulative, the result of a fanbase frustrated by what it sees as a year of questionable booking.

“I’m gonna make a bold prediction,” Russo said. “I think that marked the beginning of the end for Triple H… because the people have turned on him.”

Russo also questioned the logic of the finish. Cena has spent 25 years preaching perseverance, especially to Make-A-Wish kids. Watching him quit in his final match didn’t feel profound, it felt wrong. Russo added that if he were involved, he would have told Cena, “We ain’t doing that, John.”

Legacy, perception, and corporate reality

For many fans, Cena was Superman. Seeing him tap out didn’t elevate Gunther as much as it deflated the audience. The backlash suggests Triple H, chasing realism or cinematic storytelling, missed the emotional payoff wrestling depends on.

There is an important wrinkle, though. Reports indicate Cena himself pitched the submission finish, believing in going out on his back. If true, Triple H didn’t force the call; he approved it. But in WWE’s corporate ecosystem, perception is reality. When crowds chant that the boss messed up, shareholders notice.

Is Triple H actually getting fired? That feels extreme. WWE is thriving financially under his watch. Still, wrestling is a “what have you done lately” business. If fans keep turning away, Triple H’s seat grows warmer.

The honeymoon is over. He’s no longer the savior, he’s just the man in charge.

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