WWE Saturday Night's Main Event Results & Winners: John Cena gives up in his final match; Drew McIntyre attacks Cody Rhodes & more
(Courtesy : WWE)
Joe Hendry appears; Sol Ruca pins Bayley & more!
After a year-long retirement tour, John Cena’s farewell tour arrived at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13 as the 17-time World Champion competed in his final match. The December 13 edition of SNME emanated live from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
As announced by Cena, the show also provided a platform for NXT talents to showcase their skills against main-roster stars. The event served not only as a farewell tribute to the fans from Cena, but also as an opportunity for NXT wrestlers to share the spotlight on the big stage.
John Cena stepped into the ring for the final time at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, facing one of the toughest opponents of his career, Gunther. Furthermore, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes took on NXT Champion Oba Femi, while Bayley battled NXT’s rising star and high-flying former double champion Sol Ruca.
Additionally, World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee stepped into a high-octane showdown against two of the fastest-rising talents in NXT, Je’Von Evans and the youngest TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater.
Get to know what happened this Friday, as we have the complete summary, highlights, results, and winners’ list for the December 13 edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Summary and Highlights
Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champion) vs Oba Femi (NXT Champion)
In the first match of the show, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes took on NXT Champion Oba Femi in a Champion vs Champion, non-title match. Femi from the starting bell kept control of the match using his strength to dominate the match, despite a few offenses from Rhodes.
As Cody landed the Avalanche Cody Cutter and failed to pin Femi, Drew McIntyre suddenly appeared, attacking Rhodes to cause the disqualification. Femi confronted McIntyre and shoved him off. The babyfaces stood tall as Rhodes delivered a Cody Cutter, and Femi followed it up with a Chokeslam to send McIntyre packing.
Winner: Cody Rhodes via DQ
Grade: B
Match Insights & Moments:
- Although the finish was predictable to save both Rhodes and Femi from taking the pin, the execution could have been improved.
- The crowd was red-hot for both men, who received huge pops throughout the match.
- WWE needs to put the title on Drew this time, or they risk ruining his momentum again.
- Chuck Zito, Jon Bernthal, and Tyrese Haliburton were shown in the crowd enjoying the show.
Bayley vs Sol Ruca
The second match of the show saw Bayley battle NXT’s rising star Sol Ruca. Lyra Valkyria and Zaira were in their respective corners. While it was similar to the first match, this one also didn’t have much time, but the fast pace allowed them to accomplish a lot within it.
Ruca got to show her impressive skills against the future Hall of Famer, pinning her after hitting the Sol Snatches and a little tussle with roll-ups. The four women performed the iconic Cena salute to honor the 17-time World Champion.
Winner: Sol Ruca
Grade: B+
Match Insights & Moments:
- Ruca delivered multiple jaw-dropping moves, including the Cartwheel on the top rope into a DDT, handspring into a moonsault, among others.
- Bayley putting over Ruca is another example of her selflessness in helping elevate others.
- Several legends and celebrities appeared in a video package to pay homage to the 17-time World Champion.
AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
The high-flying action kicked off from the opening with the young guns taking over, hammering the World Tag Team Champions with lightning-fast moves. Lee and Styles weathered the storm and survived to mount a comeback. Styles slipped from the ropes during the Phenomenal Forearm attempt, but Slater was quick on his feet as he covered it well with a pin attempt.
Not sure if they changed the finish of the match after that, as Styles caught Slater mid-air during the top rope jump to hit the Styles Clash and pin the TNA X-Division Champion. Styles and Lee embraced the two rising talents, and the four hit the iconic Cena salute to honor Cena.
Winner: AJ Styles & Dragon Lee
Grade: A
Match Insights & Moments:
- Styles was the first TNA X-Division Champion, and facing Leon Slater, the current champion, albeit in a tag team match, was a pretty cool moment.
- The coordination between Styles and Lee has improved a lot with time.
- The Rock and The Undertaker paid tribute to Cena in a pre-recorded video.
- Michelle McCool, Mark Henry, Kurt Angle, Eve Torres, Trish Stratus, Rob Van Dam, and Sami Zayn were shown in the crowd.
Say his name, and he appears
Stephanie McMahon and Joe Tessitore were previewing the main event as The Miz showed up, blasting WWE management for neglecting him, despite being a massive part of Cena’s career. R-Truth then came out and revealed that it was Joe Hendry whose spot Miz had taken in the tournament following Sheamus’ injury. Miz said Hendry’s name, prompting Joe to appear.
Miz tried to attack Hendry, but Hendry took him down and, along with Truth, hit the ‘You Can’t See Me’ taunt, followed by dual Five-Knuckle Shuffles. Hendry capped it off with a running sideslam.
Grade: B+
John Cena vs Gunther – Cena’s final match
John Cena got a massive reaction as he came out for his final match, with the crowd singing his song. Gunther received a chorus of boos during his entrance and throughout the match. The Ring General played some mind games, exiting the ring, before stepping in and taking down Cena with a brutal chop.
After three brutal chops, Cena blocked the fourth one to deliver the shoulder tackle and the five knuckle shuffle. However, Gunther blocked the AA attempt with a German Suplex. Gunther locked in the sleeper as Cena fought back and applied the STF. Cena tried to drag Gunther to the center of the ring, but the Ring General fought out of it and delivered a brutal powerbomb.
Gunther then took over once again, sending Cena repeatedly to the mat with vicious clotheslines. “SUPER CENA” chants erupted as Cena delivered the five knuckle shuffle followed by the AA, but Gunther kicked out at two. The action spilled ringside with Gunther slamming Cena on the steel steps and lining up the steel steps on the announce desk as Cena turned it around to deliver another AA through the table.
In the final moments of the match, Gunther sank in the sleeper, and Cena tried to fight back, but the Ring General continued to lock back in the choke until Cena failed to fight back and tapped out. The crowd fell silent, and disappointment was evident on their faces as the camera panned across them.
Cena acknowledged the crowd and kissed the mat, as chants of “THANK YOU CENA” filled the arena. He got back to his feet and stated that it was all he had. The 17-time World Champion bowed to the crowd as Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, along with Cody Rhodes, Shawn Michaels, CM Punk, and the entire locker room appeared.
Chants of “F*CK TRIPLE H” and “YOU F*CKED UP” erupted, directed at the WWE CCO as Punk and Cody handed their respective World Titles to Cena. The crowd and the entire locker room at ringside were on their feet as thunderous “THANK YOU CENA” chants filled the arena again, and Cena proudly flaunted the titles.
Cena then handed the titles back to Cody and Punk and embraced Triple H, who was on the apron, while the crowd showered the WWE CCO with boos. Triple H pointed to the screen as a video package highlighted Cena’s iconic career. Cena laid down his boots and armband in the center of the ring, took one final bow, and walked to the entrance ramp, pausing for one last salute before heading backstage.
Winner: Gunther
Grade: A+(For Nostalgia’s sake)
Match Insights & Moments:
- Going into his final match, Cena was undefeated at the Capital One Arena.
- This marked Cena’s 726th televised match and 8,750 days since he began his career.
- Kevin Owens was sitting in the front as Cena embraced him along with other legens sitting in the front row, before the match.
- The crowd chanted ‘Don’t give up’ as Gunther held Cena in the sleeper for an extended period until he finally tapped out.
WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event December 2025 Results
- Cody Rhodes (Undisputed WWE Champion) defeated Oba Femi (NXT Champion) via DQ
- Sol Ruca pinned Bayley
- AJ Styles & Dragon Lee defeated Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater
- Gunther defeated John Cena– Cena’s final match
Who won in the main event of WWE SNME tonight?
Gunther defeated John Cena in Cena’s final match via submission to win tn the main event of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
What is the next main roster WWE PLE?
Royal Rumble 2026 is the next WWE PLE set for January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.
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