Cody Rhodes Fights Back Tears as John Cena's Final WWE Match Ends in Controversy

Cody Rhodes was clearly holding back the tears when speaking in the aftermath of John Cena's final WWE bout as the wrestling legend heads off into retirement.

Cena, 48, appeared in the ring one last time on Saturday Night Main Event as the curtain came down on his glittering wrestling career, the majority of which has been spent with the WWE.

Undisputed WWE Champion Rhodes was also on the event's main card at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC and was victorious on the night, beating NXT Champion Oba Femi by disqualification.

Though the fairy tale ending would have been Cena to retire from wrestling with a win and go out on a high, that was ultimately not to be the case.

To the surprise of almost every fan inside the arena, Cena fell to a defeat as he tapped out for the first time in over two decades, ending his career with a shock defeat.

His opponent Gunther has now spoiled two retirements this year, having also beaten Bill Goldberg in his last match earlier in 2025.

Despite the loss, Cena is undoubtedly one of the all-time legends of wrestling having held the WWE Championship on a record 14 occasions, plus becoming the World Heavyweight Championship three times, and has also won multiple other championships with the company.

After Cena's loss, WWE Undisputed Champion Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk paid tribute to the now retired star by presenting him with their respective belts.

Cena then lifted them as a gesture to the crowd at the Capital One Arena, with the wrestler leaving his signature sneakers and sweatbands in the ring, before delivering one final line to camera as he left the arena.

Speaking after the event, a very emotional and teary Rhodes paid tribute to the retired Cena as he conveyed the high esteem in which he is held.

He said: "It’s just still like, when it’s that good you don’t want it to end and I know that’s vague but he did everything by the book and taught so many people and set such a high standard, such a high bar.

"I know I’m trying not to get emotional on his night but more than anything you know just take a moment and think about those sneakers and the pump ups before that and the man who filled those and what he was able to do and through good times through bad times tonight everyone just chanting ‘let’s go Cena’ not a ‘let’s go Cena – Cena sucks’ in the house just ‘let’s go Cena’."

A tearful Cody Rhodes expresses what John Cena means to him and this industry 😢

"When it's that good, you don't want it to end"#SNME pic.twitter.com/ml9wxAHeeB

— The Movement - Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) December 14, 2025

Rhodes continued: "It’s just it’s everything, I’m so happy that it happened, it’s a great, great arena with great wrestling history and I’m so sad it happened too.

"Triple H had called me and asked me if I would be part of Saturday Night’s Main Event. And always wrestlers act like that’s oh, that’s such a big ask. Are you kidding? To be part of John Cena’s final show, to be able to bask in this glory and this house."