WWE officials were reportedly caught off guard by the negative fan reaction to the finish of John Cena vs. Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The situation was discussed by Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez on the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, where both noted that the response inside the arena was stronger than the company had anticipated.
According to Meltzer, there was internal disagreement within WWE over the decision, although it ultimately went ahead.
“There are many people in WWE who did not agree with that decision, but the guy in charge did it,”
Meltzer said. He added that, despite any public messaging to the contrary, WWE was “blindsided” by how fans reacted to the ending. Meltzer also addressed the idea that the reaction was intentional heat. He suggested that the claims the company expected the backlash were more about damage control than planning.
“The idea that they knew it was going to get that reaction, that it was just the price they had to pay, that wasn’t it,”
He said, adding that there was little discussion beforehand about how the crowd might respond. Alvarez argued that the specific way the match ended played a key role in the backlash. He noted that fans have been conditioned for two decades to associate John Cena with the “Never Give Up” mantra.
“I don’t think it would have gotten that reaction if John Cena had just passed out in the sleeper hold,” Alvarez said. “They got that reaction because people have been sold on Never Give Up for 20 years.”
Earlier in the discussion, Meltzer pointed to the following Raw as a possible justification for the decision, highlighting the strong reaction Gunther received.
“The Gunther reaction was really impressive,”
Meltzer said, adding that it could support the long-term logic of the finish. However, he cautioned that the true impact of the decision would only be clear months down the line.
Why Is It Believed That John Cena’s Retirement Could Cost WWE Millions Of Dollars?
John Cena’s in-ring retirement is widely expected to have a tangible financial impact on WWE, largely due to the huge commercial value he brought to the company over his decades-long career. According to sports finance expert Dr Rob Wilson, Cena’s overall worth, which sits around $80 million thanks to his wrestling earnings, acting roles and endorsement deals, has made him one of WWE’s most marketable performers.
With Cena stepping away from active competition and shifting focus back to Hollywood, Wilson estimates that WWE could see its revenue dip significantly in his absence, potentially losing between $40 million and $70 million annually from ticket sales, merchandise and major international event draws that Cena historically boosted.
