This is the last full show before the holiday break and I am looking forward to some downtime. I’m going to sit back, sip some whiskey, and watch Team Canada play in the World Junior Hockey Championship — a tradition I look forward to every year. Until then, let’s go to work, shall we.
• Saturday Night’s Main Event
Now that John Cena’s last match is over and I’ve been able to process not only his final match but the entire show from start to finish, I must say WWE did a fantastic job with this event.
All of the wrestlers involved paid their respects to John in one way or another while still putting on a fantastic show. The emotion was there in each match. The talent put their heart and soul into their performances, wanting to honour Cena and his incredible legacy, and it showed throughout the night.
The rumour was that John wanted his match to go on first and really highlight the new crop of talent. I’m guessing Hunter was able to change his mind, as we all know Cena vs Gunther closed the show, but WWE still honoured John’s demand of showcasing and giving the rub to the next generation. Cena was adamant that this show was all about elevating new talent and, to me, it went flawlessly. Spot on.
Cody Rhodes is probably the least egotistical wrestler out there and understands the importance of putting over new talent. I thought he did a magnificent job working with future WWE main-event-level talent Oba Femi. I’m hoping these two go for round two in the not-too-distant future, as Oba will clearly be strapped with the proverbial rocket and shot to the moon.
Bayley and Sol Ruca was great, as expected. Much like the rest of the card, I had high expectations and they both lived up to them. Personally, I would have had Jordynne Grace in there instead of Ruca, simply because Grace will play a major role in the women’s division for the next decade. That’s not taking anything away from Sol’s talent — I just see Jordynne as the biggest star with the brightest future out of the entire NXT crop.
AJ Styles and Dragon Lee vs Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater was one of the best WWE matches I’ve seen (since Styles vs Cena, actually). From start to finish, this match was moving at 100 miles per hour but still slow enough to process every segment. It was truly incredible, and this pairing couldn’t have worked any better.
The chemistry between the two teams was magical. Everyone shined. Even with AJ creeping up on 50 years old, he never looked out of place. Evans is the future, and my guess is the same will be true for Slater. My gut says WWE will do the same thing with him that they did with Jordynne Grace and Joe Hendry and sign him as soon as they can.
The Miz and R-Truth segment was great. The addition of Joe Hendry made it even better. That quick usage of Hendry gained a new fan, as the very next day I had to show my son more of Joe’s work. WWE sees the potential in Joe and can now capitalise on that. He recently signed with NXT yet has already appeared in a Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and now Saturday Night’s Main Event.
This also fulfilled John’s request to highlight younger talent while adding some fun with Miz and Truth. It allowed some of Cena’s past rivals, who missed out on a final match with him, to still be part of the show. Even the wrestlers at ringside whom Cena went over to hug were all people who played a role in his career in some way, shape, or form. Plus, Joe Hendry tried his hardest on social media to land a match with the GOAT, and John still managed to give him a rub.
The Cena vs Gunther match was perfect. For his final match, it couldn’t have gone any better. Gunther is a true old-fashioned heel, and in that environment it was spot on — especially the ending. He is now arguably the biggest heel in the entire business. Perfection.
While many were upset that Cena lost, remember that this was John’s choice. The ending, with him tapping out, angered the crowd, but I don’t understand why. John fought as hard as he could and, in the midst of being choked out, he smiled. In that moment, he was at peace with his career and ready to let go of that chapter. He smiled and tapped out. That gave me goosebumps.
I’m not sure how people can’t see the greatness in that ending and the entire match. John looked incredible. Gunther became the top heel. And 14,000+ fans in attendance, along with millions watching at home, witnessed arguably the greatest wrestler in the history of the sport tap out with grace. It couldn’t have been done any better.
I’m sure when John watches this event back, he will be overwhelmed with emotion as he sees how much of an impact he had on the wrestlers, WWE personnel, and fans worldwide, and realises just how many lives he touched.
An incredible wrestler and an incredible human being, John Cena will be missed. He set the bar extremely high for how a wrestler should carry themselves, both inside and outside the ring.
• Brock Lesnar, AJ Styles and possibly Chris Jericho retirement runs in 2026
While still adjusting emotionally to the fact that John Cena has retired from in-ring competition and that this is AJ Styles’ final year, I find out that Brock Lesnar is aiming for SummerSlam ’26 and WWE is preparing a final run for Chris Jericho, should he choose to sign.
This made me look at the ages of WWE’s top talent, and there are between 30–35 wrestlers aged 40 or above. That means over the next five years we’ll see a massive shift in talent, ushering in a new generation — and it also means I’m getting older than I’d like to admit.
Whether you like these guys or not, all three deserve proper send-offs. Brock will put over a powerhouse up-and-comer like Oba Femi, while Styles and Jericho will happily put over everyone on their way out.
I’ll say this about AJ Styles: he needs to retire inside a TNA ring, and you can’t change my mind. AJ is TNA, and TNA is what it is today because of AJ. That is the smartest way for him to bow out.
Jericho has been able to prolong his career by taking breaks to pursue other interests, giving his body time to heal from the battles he’s endured over an incredible career. WWE elevated Jericho to main-event status, which allowed him to carry that credibility into AEW.
Styles was already a household name from TNA, but his New Japan run was the icing on the cake. Enough so that Vince McMahon wanted in on the AJ Styles train, and history shows he was pushed immediately as a major star, solidifying his legacy as one of the best ever.
The Beast Incarnate is a true special attraction, captivating audiences worldwide through sheer presence alone. His in-ring work matched that aura, making him the complete package.
Unfortunately, his name is now tied to Vince McMahon and that disgusting behaviour. I won’t rant about it, but it undeniably places a red flag on Brock’s legacy.
With dozens of talents departing over the next few years, the time is now for WWE to focus on building the next generation. There’s no need to rush it, but it must be a priority.
If done correctly — with experience, training, and patience — WWE can create several major players. That will make the transition smoother, less noticeable, and won’t hurt the company’s bottom line. They won’t miss a beat.
Expect a boatload of retirements over the next half-decade.
• The Andrade debacle
Andrade made history as the first wrestler to go from WWE to AEW, back to WWE, and then back to AEW — all within four years.
He oozes talent and should be a major player, yet hasn’t quite reached that level. It could be timing, attitude, or any number of factors, but you can’t deny he belongs in the main-event picture.
His NXT run remains his best work, and since then it feels like he’s lacked opportunities. I thought he’d be strapped with the rocket in AEW, but that didn’t happen. His run wasn’t bad — I just expected more main-event focus from Tony Khan.
For whatever reason, his second WWE run was forgettable. He returned to be with his then-wife Charlotte, and after their divorce, Triple H failed to fully utilise him. Much like other NXT call-ups, he was never pushed the way he once was.
Andrade is a great talent, and I’m glad he’s back in AEW. That one-year non-compete clause is overboard. A month or two is understandable, but a full year is selfish and very Vince McMahon-esque. Wrestlers still need income, and denying that is morally wrong. It’s petty and makes the company look immature.
Hopefully, Andrade and WWE can resolve this so he can return to doing what he does best inside an AEW ring. When he does return, look out — he’ll have a lot more fire.
• Zilla Fatu, Damu Anoa’i and Thamiko Fatu
The Anoa’i family is the greatest family in wrestling history. Their legacy runs so deep that I don’t see any other family ever topping them. They didn’t just produce talent — they produced megastars, generation after generation.
We thought it peaked with The Bloodline, but with MFT and others emerging, there are still layers to add to the Anoa’i story. Following in a parent’s footsteps is difficult, but somehow each generation continues to raise the bar.
Zilla Fatu, son of the late Umaga, has become a major name on the independent scene and generated serious buzz. WWE has to be watching closely.
Like Jacob Fatu, Zilla’s life had its bumps. That’s likely why WWE hasn’t brought him to NXT yet. A criminal record complicates international travel, but it shouldn’t prevent a second chance.
Zilla has already made himself a household name. His look, in-ring work, and story have connected with fans, and it’s great to see.
While WWE waits, AEW likely knows he’s destined for WWE — otherwise they’d have already signed him.
Two other rising Anoa’i names are Damu Anoa’i and Thamiko Fatu. Both are making noise on the indies and have the right mentors, connections, and foundation.
I loved The Bloodline. I love MFT. And I’m excited to see more Anoa’i members carve their own legacy in WWE. Wrestling isn’t just in their blood — it’s the family business.
Zilla, Damu, and Thamiko: the sky is the limit. The name gets you noticed, but the rest is on you.
Well, that’s all she wrote. Another one down. Rant done — for now. Like everything in life… more to come.
Nick Whitworth
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