WWE is set for its final “Saturday Night’s Main Event” show of 2025, which will feature John Cena’s retirement match. The professional wrestling legend who preaches “Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect” will face Gunther inside Capital One Arena in Washington.
Going into the match, Gunther has vowed to make Cena submit. It’s something that Cena hasn’t done since 2004, when he was the “Doctor of Thuganomics.” Since that time, Cena has followed the “Never Give Up” mantra, but will he tap out in his swan song?
“NXT” stars will also be showcased. The brand’s top male champion, Oba Femi, will collide with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in a non-title match. Meanwhile, former NXT Women’s North American Champion Sol Ruca will share the ring with Bayley. Je’Von Evans is set for action as well, teaming with TNA X Division Champion Leon Slater to take on the WWE World Tag Team Champions AJ Styles and Dragon Lee.
Newsweek Sports takes a look at each match on Saturday’s big show to provide predictions for WWE’s last marquee event of the year.
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John Cena vs. Gunther
If you ask most well-known experts in the wrestling industry, they’ll tell you that Cena would lose to Gunther if the outcome of the match was his choice. It’s easy to see why that’s a popular theory since Cena has made it clear that he wants to give back to the business by spotlighting “NXT” talent on the night of his retirement.
WWE could very well make the call to have Cena win his final match, just as AEW owner Tony Khan did for Sting at “AEW Revolution 2024.” Still, the company may see value in Gunther developing a reputation for sending legends off to retirement with a loss. “The Ring General” choked out Goldberg in the former WCW World Champion’s final match back in July.
If Gunther emerges victorious, he’s more likely to choke Cena out rather than force a tap-out.
Prediction: Gunther
Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi
Femi was the right choice for an “NXT” performer to be showcased against Rhodes. “The Ruler” is likely to be called up to the main roster in 2026, and he figures to be a major player for years to come. “The American Nightmare” is also a perfect opponent to give Femi some shine given his popularity and veteran awareness.
A clean finish here isn’t likely. Rhodes is in the middle of a personal feud with Drew McIntyre, who will probably interfere in the match. If that happens, Femi would benefit greatly from taking both Rhodes and McIntyre out at the end of the chaos.
Prediction: No Contest
AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater
This is a big opportunity for Evans and Slater to share the ring with Styles before “The Phenomenal One” retires at some point next year. Lee also has an exciting in-ring style to match both Evans and Slater. If this one isn’t a barn burner, then something likely goes wrong.
More than anything, this match was booked to put the spotlight on Evans. The “Young OG” is only 21 years old and has the makings of a future breakout star for WWE. Some have even argued that Evans should already be on the main roster, but both he and Slater, who is also a tremendous talent, won’t walk away with the WWE World Tag Team Championship.
Prediction: AJ Styles and Dragon Lee
Bayley vs. Sol Ruca
The “NXT” star who probably has the best chance of winning at “Saturday Night’s Main Event” is Ruca. Fans of the “Friday Night SmackDown” brand are already familiar with Ruca, given that both she and Zaria once challenged Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship in a losing effort.
Still, a victory for Ruca isn’t expected since Bayley is currently in the tag title race with Lyra Valkyria. Both Bayley and Valkyria have been feuding with the likes of the current champions, the Kabuki Warriors, Nia Jax and Lash Legend, The Judgment Day, Bliss and Flair, and Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. Bayley gets the win here in a competitive match.
Prediction: Bayley
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