PAT MCAFEE APOLOGIZES TO JOHN CENA: DID GUNTHER’S SLEEPER HOLD FORCE EARLY WWE RETIREMENT
Pat McAfee feels responsible for John Cena’s career-ending loss to Gunther. Discover why the WWE announcer is saying sorry.
So, Pat McAfee feels bad because he didn't warn John Cena about Gunther's sleeper hold, which might have ended Cena's career in his last WWE match.
Cena's final match was against Gunther at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, and he lost after tapping out to Gunther’s really strong sleeper hold. McAfee later took responsibility for not warning Cena.
On his show, The Pat McAfee Show, the WWE commentator said sorry for not giving Cena a heads-up. He said that he went down the same way and should have texted John earlier: “I should have told him that this is what GUNTHER’s going to try to do. This happened to me.
“I should have told John: he’s going to try the sleeper hold. And when he wraps those big Austrian legs around you like a snake, it’s hard to get out.”
He felt like he missed a chance since he knew how dangerous Gunther’s hold is. “I should have given him a heads up, though, when he was here. I feel like it was a missed chance.”
He also states, “That was my text to Cena right after the finale: I’m sorry, I should have told you ahead what he was going to do.' I guess Cena watched a film, since he's always ready. But his loss made people upset.”
McAfee shared that he also texted NBA star Tyrese Haliburton during the match. “I texted him a few times because he was sitting right behind Michael Cole in the front row. He gave a couple of hashtags to himself in the group text, which I liked. He was there, and that’s not what he expected.
Fans might also remember that McAfee and Gunther don’t get along too well. After WrestleMania 41, when he lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Jey Uso, Gunther attacked both McAfee and Michael Cole on WWE RAW.
CENA'S RETIREMENT BOOSTS GUNTHER: NOW EYEING AJ STYLES WRESTLEMANIA FINISH WRESTLEMANIA 42
Gunther cemented his villain status by making John Cena tap out and retire. Rumours indicate his "Legend Killer" run will continue with AJ Styles and possibly Brock Lesnar in 2026.
Even though the Austrian is known as one of WWE's top villains, his win at Saturday Night's Main Event might lead to something bigger.
Before beating Cena in what was supposed to be his last match, Gunther had already sent WCW star Goldberg into retirement back in July. On Monday's Raw, Gunther used the audience's shock from Cena's loss to his advantage. The former World Heavyweight Champion made things sting even more with a harsh opening speech.
Gunther made fun of the 17-time world champion and the WWE fans, mocking Cena for giving up too easily to his strong sleeper hold. This move also helped Gunther win both of his world championships. There are rumours that WWE wants Gunther to keep retiring famous wrestlers.
Gunther and Superstar He's Going to Retire Meet on Raw
Styles fought Cena for the fifth and final time in a one-on-one match this October, putting on a match that could be the best of the year at Crown Jewel. Even though the two wrestlers were rivals in 2016 and 2017, they ended things as friends on TV.
AJ has said he plans to stop wrestling in 2026, and it looks like Gunther will be his last opponent.
Gunther Might Retire, One of WWE's Biggest Wrestlers, in 2026
'The Beast Incarnate' and Gunther were supposed to fight at WrestleMania 40. But after Lesnar was named in a sex trafficking case involving ex-WWE CEO Vince McMahon, Brock was taken off TV.
If Lesnar is in his last year as a wrestler, WWE needs to act fast to make the long-awaited match happen. Gunther is expected to fight Brock in what could be his final match.
If WWE goes ahead with these plans, Gunther would be known for retiring four of the biggest names in recent wrestling history. This would be a huge boost for him in the company.
TRIPLE H HINT: NXT STAR OBA FEMI FOR BROCK LESNAR'S 2026 RETIREMENT MATCH
Triple H has strongly hinted that rising NXT star Oba Femi, often compared to Brock Lesnar, could be the final opponent in Lesnar's rumored 2026 retirement match.
Triple H might have just let slip who Brock Lesnar could face in his rumored 2026 retirement match.
Oba Femi jumped into the WWE main roster scene on December 13, 2025, during Saturday Night’s Main Event, going up against Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes. Their match was shaping up to be a good one, but Drew McIntyre stepped in, causing a no-contest. Even so, the NXT Champion showed he's got what it takes and has a big future, especially with everyone comparing him to Brock Lesnar lately.
Because of these comparisons, people are wondering if Femi could be Lesnar's last opponent in his rumored 2026 WWE retirement match. Triple H has now talked about this possibility.
When asked about a possible Lesnar versus Femi match during the Saturday Night’s Main Event post-show, Triple H said it's fun to think about NXT stars in dream matches. He praised Femi's presence and mentioned the comparisons between him and Lesnar.
Triple H noted that just watching Femi come out, you can't help but think of all the great matches he could have. He feels that's what makes NXT special—imagining what these wrestlers can do. He added that while not everyone will jump to the big stage right away, Femi makes you think of Lesnar, the ultimate destroyer, right from the start. Triple H thinks that's a good thing.
Now we wait and see if Lesnar really does face Femi as his final act.