Why John Cena must win WWE retirement match, according to legendary manager

John Cena plans to retire from WWE in-ring competition at Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13. In a recent podcast episode, legendary wrestling manager Jim Cornette addressed whether the 48-year-old should win or lose his final match.

Cena has been one of WWE's biggest stars over the last two decades. Some people believe the 17-time World Champion should lose his retirement match to help further an up-and-coming star's career. However, others think he should win his last in-ring battle to create one more feel-good moment.

On Jim Cornette's Drive-Thru, Cornette agreed that it makes sense for wrestlers to lose before leaving a company or territory. In Cena's case, he thinks the situation is different because he is retiring.

"Yes [Cena must win final match]," Cornette said. "I know a lot of people are saying, 'Oh, don't you know, Jim, it's wrestling protocol they should do a job on the way out.' When you're leaving the territory, yes, not when you're leaving the goddam business."

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John Cena lost his most recent match against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza on September 20. He will face AJ Styles in his next bout at Crown Jewel on October 11.

Jim Cornette says John Cena losing "doesn't make sense"

In March, John Cena turned heel for the first time in more than 20 years. He only performed as a bad guy for five months before embracing fans again as a babyface in August.

According to Jim Cornette, WWE's decision-makers should take note of fans' reactions when booking the outcome of Cena's retirement match.

"That's why I've had the gripe with Cena being a heel for much of this, is that we've said from the start people didn't wanna boo him. People wanted to see the last time, their hero that they like now more than they did when he was actually their f***ing hero, and now that they've got it course-corrected, it just doesn't make sense [for Cena to lose retirement match]."

Cornette also predicted that Cena will face a seven-time WWE Champion in his last match before retiring.

Please credit Jim Cornette's Drive-Thru and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.

About the author

Danny Hart is a journalist who has been reporting on pro wrestling (WWE) at Sportskeeda since 2017. He grew up as a massive fan of football/soccer and wrestling, leading him to pursue a career in sports journalism.

Before assuming his current role, Hart worked as a football writer at Goal.com between 2009 and 2016. He prides himself on writing original content that is fact-based and highly accurate. Hart thoroughly proofreads his work before submitting it and relies only on credible sources for information.

Hart’s favorite pro wrestler is The Undertaker. He admires the 2022 WWE Hall of Famer’s ability to reinvent his character and remain relevant across his decades-long career. If given the keys to WWE’s creative department, he would bring back The Phenom for a farewell bout against AJ Styles in a stadium full of fans. Not only that, but he would love to have the multi-time world champion’s greatest rivals seated at ringside for the spectacle.

When not watching and covering sports, Hart enjoys long-distance running, playing video games, and listening to audiobooks and podcasts.

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Edited by Danny Hart