“It Was Time to Let Go” – Matt Hardy Breaks Down the Emotional Truth Behind John Cena’s Final WWE Match
John Cena’s final WWE match is still living rent-free in fans’ minds—and now Matt Hardy is adding fuel to the debate with some brutally honest insight.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, the TNA Wrestling star didn’t sugarcoat his expectations heading into Cena’s farewell showdown against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event. In fact, Hardy admits he walked in almost certain the unthinkable was about to happen.
“I was 99% sure John was going to lose,” Hardy revealed. “And I was probably 50% sure he was going to tap out.”
For a man whose entire legacy was built on never giving up, the idea of Cena submitting felt almost impossible. But Hardy explained that’s exactly why the moment worked.
“You’re the guy who never quits,” Hardy said. “So the story becomes: I’m going to make you give up. That was the perfect storm. It gave Gunther the chance to do something nobody else has ever done.”
And then came the moment that split the wrestling world in two—the finish.
As Cena smiled before tapping out to Gunther’s punishing hold, social media exploded. Confusion, anger, heartbreak—you name it. But Hardy saw something deeper.
“To me, he wasn’t even looking at the tap,” Hardy explained. “It was like, ‘Okay, I’m clocking out. My run is done. I’ve done everything I can do.’ And it was okay to let go.”
According to Hardy, that smile wasn’t disrespectful or out of character—it was relief.
“It was almost euphoric,” he added. “He found joy in knowing he could finally let go. There was that smirk… then the tap… and that was it.”
Love it or hate it, Cena’s final moment wasn’t about weakness—it was about closure.
Now, with a week to let it all sink in, the debate still rages on. Was the ending a bold, emotional masterpiece? Or a finish fans will never fully accept?
One thing’s for sure: John Cena’s last WWE match didn’t just end an era—it sparked a conversation that isn’t going away anytime soon.
What did you think of the finish? Did it hit you emotionally, or did it leave you scratching your head? Sound off in the comments and join the discussion.
