John Cena’s retirement match is set, with WWE confirming that he will face Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13. The announcement follows Gunther’s victory over LA Knight in the final of the “Last Time is Now” tournament on the December 5 episode of SmackDown.

Gunther, widely regarded as one of WWE’s top in-ring performers, had long been viewed as the favourite to earn the spot. His history in major farewell matches also added to the speculation, having defeated Goldberg in the Hall of Famer’s final bout at the same event in July.

The match will mark the first-ever meeting between Cena and Gunther. For Gunther, the bout offers an opportunity to close the chapter on the 17-time world champion’s storied career. Cena, meanwhile, will look to conclude more than two decades of WWE accomplishments with one final victory.

During Friday Night SmackDown, Gunther secured his place by submitting Knight after a high-intensity match that resembled a championship clash. Following a series of reversals, Gunther applied a Rear-Naked Choke before shifting to a Modified STF, forcing Knight to submit and sending a clear message ahead of his encounter with Cena.

Cena, who debuted in 2002, has been one of WWE’s most recognisable figures, headlining multiple eras and delivering numerous memorable moments. His retirement match is expected to draw significant attention as fans prepare to bid farewell to one of the company’s most celebrated performers.