As word spread that John Cena’s final match would take place on Saturday Night’s Main Event, disappointment followed. Many felt such a milestone deserved a full-scale event, not a prime-time special interrupted by commercials. After Goldberg’s retirement match on the same show in July — where his farewell speech was cut short — fans worried Cena might get the same short shrift.
But after last weekend’s show, it appears those worries can be put to rest.
The most recent Saturday Night’s Main Event showed exactly what Cena’s send-off could look like. The revived ’80s program, now exclusive to Peacock, was treated more like a modern premium live event. With fewer ad breaks and the matches running uninterrupted, the action moved smoothly.
There were also other noticeable production changes. Jesse Ventura and Joe Tessitore were absent from the broadcast. Also missing was the presence of WWE legends. Instead, WWE aired a teaser from an upcoming Cena interview with reporter Tom Rinaldi. Fans also learned about “The Last Time Is Now Tournament,” which will decide Cena’s final opponent, starting Nov. 10 on Raw.
Next month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event will certainly serve as a tribute to the 17-time world champion, whose charisma and resilience inspired — and at times frustrated — many fans. With the show’s new format and a possible appearance by the president, Cena’s farewell looks set to receive the spotlight it deserves.
