đ âWe Didnât Want It to EndâŚâ â Cody Rhodes Breaks Down After Witnessing John Cenaâs Final WWE Match
An era officially closed at Saturday Nightâs Main Event â and even WWEâs top stars couldnât hold back the tears. Cody Rhodes was visibly emotional after watching John Cena step into a WWE ring for the final time at Saturday Nightâs Main Event on December 13. In the nightâs main event, Cena tapped out to Gunther, bringing a legendary in-ring career to a powerful, unforgettable conclusion.
As the crowd stayed on their feet long after the bell rang, Cody remained at ringside. Backstage interviewer Jackie Redmond caught up with him moments later â and what followed was one of the most heartfelt tributes of the night.
đ âWhen Itâs That Good, You Donât Want It to Endâ
Fighting back emotion, Rhodes reflected on what Cena meant to professional wrestling â not just as a performer, but as a standard-setter.
âItâs hard to even put into words,â Cody said. âJohn left this industry better than he found it. He did everything the right way â by the book. And when something is that good⌠you just donât want it to end.â
Cody spoke about the countless lessons Cena passed on, the impossibly high bar he set, and the legacy he leaves behind. One moment stood out above all else: the crowdâs reaction.
âTonight it was just âLetâs go Cena.â No split chants. No noise. Just love,â Cody said. âThat says everything.â
đ The Shoes No One Can Truly Fill
Rhodes admitted that watching Cenaâs final moments made him think about the man behind the gear â the rituals, the preparation, the sacrifices through good and bad times.
âI think about those sneakers, the pump-ups, and the man who filled them,â he said. âThrough every era, every high and low â he was always John Cena.â

đď¸ 19,000 Fans⌠And Not One Left Early
Cody also revealed how meaningful it was to even be part of Cenaâs farewell show.
âTriple H called and asked if I wanted to be part of Saturday Nightâs Main Event. Are you kidding me?â Rhodes laughed. âTo be there for John Cenaâs final night? Thatâs not an ask â thatâs an honor.â
He pointed out a jaw-dropping detail: not a single fan left the arena until Cena did.
âThatâs not a good career,â Cody said. âThatâs a great career. Hats off to the greatest of all time.â
đ¤ Cena Went Out His Way â And Thatâs Rare
Rhodes emphasized how rare it is for a superstar to leave exactly how they want.
âWe donât usually get to choose,â Cody explained. âBut nobody ever did it more âtheir wayâ than John Cena. There will never be another one.â
He shut down comparisons, saying there is no ânext John Cenaâ â only unique stars who must find their own path.
âThatâs the bar,â Rhodes said. âAnd honestly? Thatâs the bar weâre supposed to aim beyond.â
đŽ What Does WWE Look Like Without John Cena?
As emotional as the night was, Cody reminded fans that WWE never stops.
âWe go back to work Monday,â he said. âBut now itâs WWE without John Cena. So who steps up? Who fills those shoes?â
His answer?
âI donât think itâs just one person.â
đ John Cena is gone from the ring â but his impact will echo through WWE forever. And if Cody Rhodesâ words proved anything, itâs this: legends donât just retire⌠they leave an impossible legacy behind.









