“He Made John Cena Tap Out!” – Triple H Finally Breaks Silence on Cena’s Shocking Final Match Before Royal Rumble 2026
John Cena’s legendary WWE journey came to an emotional—and controversial—end in December 2025, but fans are still talking about how it all went down. Now, WWE Hall of Famer Triple H has finally addressed the backlash surrounding Cena’s final match, and his comments have reignited the debate just days before Royal Rumble 2026.
Triple H Speaks on Cena’s Shocking Retirement Finish
The wrestling world said goodbye to The Cenation Leader at Saturday Night’s Main Event, where Cena wrestled his final WWE match against Gunther. The moment that stunned fans wasn’t just the loss—it was how Cena lost. Gunther forced Cena to tap out, something Cena famously said he would never do.
Appearing on ESPN’s Get Up, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H openly acknowledged the fan reaction.
“John Cena retiring at the hands of Gunther—and not only retiring, but Gunther made him do the one thing John said he would never do. He made him quit. He made him tap out,” Triple H said. “A lot of people took that badly.”
The admission confirmed what many fans felt: WWE knew the ending would be polarizing—and still went through with it.
Gunther’s Momentum Rolls Into Royal Rumble 2026
Triple H didn’t stop there. He also connected Cena’s retirement to Gunther’s next massive challenge—a career-threatening match against AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble 2026.
According to Triple H, Gunther has been openly bragging about retiring Cena, which didn’t sit well with Styles.
“AJ Styles took that as disrespect,” Triple H explained. “Styles put his own career on the line if he cannot beat Gunther this Saturday at the Royal Rumble. The stakes could not be any bigger.”
If Styles loses, his legendary WWE career is over. No rematches. No comeback.
Cena’s Farewell Still Hurts Fans
Cena’s farewell tour in 2025 was nothing short of historic. From battles with Randy Orton and CM Punk to showcasing the next generation against Dominik Mysterio, Cena delivered unforgettable moments. He even made history by winning his 17th World Championship at WrestleMania 41 and completing the Grand Slam with an Intercontinental Title victory.
That’s why the ending hurt so much.
Many fans aimed their frustration directly at Triple H, criticizing the decision to have Cena tap out in his final match—something he never did even in his prime. Cena later appeared on Cody Rhodes’ podcast, reflecting on his career before shifting focus back to Hollywood.
All Eyes on Royal Rumble 2026
With Cena officially gone, WWE now looks ahead to the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event on January 31 in Riyadh. The big question remains: Will Gunther end another legendary career?
If history repeats itself, AJ Styles may be walking into the biggest—and final—match of his life.
One thing is certain: Royal Rumble 2026 isn’t just stacked—it’s career-defining.
