Seth Rollins stands by John Cena’s WWE farewell defeat while gearing up for his NFL broadcasting debut on Netflix.
WWE enthusiasts are still grieving the conclusion of John Cena's in-ring career, particularly after he, a figure famous for urging fans to "Never Give Up," chose to submit during his final match.
At the recent Saturday Night's Main Event, Cena, aged 48, faced off against Gunther, marking his last appearance in the ring following a farewell tour that began with his retirement announcement in the summer of 2024. In a stunning turn of events, Cena tapped out, which led to WWE's chief content officer facing significant backlash as he stepped into the spotlight to commend Cena on his illustrious career. Fans responded with boos and chants of "you f---ed up," indicating their discontent with what many perceived as an ill-fated decision for Cena to lose.
However, Seth Rollins, another WWE superstar, suggested that Cena was completely at ease with this outcome, especially since it is a common tradition for wrestling legends to lose their final matches in order to pass the torch to the next generation. "If John Cena had simply won his match, there would be no questions or discussions about it. We wouldn't even be talking about Gunther; he wouldn’t be part of the conversation at all. Ultimately, it's always about what's next, and John has always understood that better than anyone else," Rollins explained in a recent conversation with Fox News Digital. "He recognized that it’s not just about what happens in the moment; it’s about preparing for the future. The business continues to move forward. Shows keep rolling out, audiences evolve, and the machine keeps operating. I noticed John smiling before he tapped out, and I believe he was fully aware of what he was doing."
Much of Cena's farewell tour was available for streaming on Netflix, thanks to a partnership between WWE and the platform, allowing "Monday Night Raw" to debut on Netflix this past January—a notable occasion that coincided with Hulk Hogan's final appearance in WWE.
In addition to this exciting development, Netflix continues to expand its offerings in sports and entertainment, having previously ventured into boxing and the NFL, and planning to include Major League Baseball starting next year.
As for Rollins, who is an avid fan of the Chicago Bears, he is set to take on a commentary role for the Christmas Day matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings on Netflix. "I’ll be dressed nicely, bringing festive greetings to viewers on Netflix while discussing football, and then I plan to rush back home to spend the evening with my daughters," Rollins shared.
With appearances on platforms like "Good Morning Football" and hosting duties on "The Rich Eisen Show" as part of his "Ruse of the Century," Rollins humorously noted, "I have a decent broadcasting background. This year has been fantastic for me, allowing me to engage in football discussions with some experts in the field. I’m really looking forward to showcasing my skills on the big stage with Netflix on Christmas Day, and hopefully, I can hold my own alongside those more knowledgeable than me."
Given Cena’s tumultuous journey from hero to villain and back again, it seemed fitting that if anyone were to secure a victory in their final WWE match, it would be him—especially since his farewell tour crowned him as the "last real champion."
Yet, Rollins expressed skepticism about anyone else achieving such a feat if Cena couldn't manage it. "What you might never see again is a retirement similar to that of Derek Jeter or Kobe Bryant. That’s what makes this moment special. Once it's over, it’s over, and I think John was the ideal person to declare, ‘I’m going to retire at the end of next year, do a full calendar, and then I’m done, no comebacks.’ He won’t be returning, and I genuinely believe that no other top talent will replicate what John has accomplished. I don’t know if any other talent would even want to. John is someone who desired to visit all the places he’s performed over the last 20-plus years and give his fans one last chance to connect with him and see him in action. It’s doubtful we’ll ever witness anything like that again, and it was truly a remarkable year. It’s going to be quite sad to envision the WWE landscape without John Cena in the foreseeable future."
