WWE Reportedly Blindsided By Fan Reaction To John Cena Tapping Out To Gunther – WWE was reportedly caught off guard by the overwhelmingly negative fan reaction to John Cena tapping out in his retirement match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
According to Dave Meltzer on the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, there was internal disagreement within WWE regarding how Cena’s final match was booked. Meltzer stated that while public-facing comments may suggest the company anticipated backlash, that was not the reality behind the scenes. He indicated that many within WWE were not aligned with the final creative decision and were genuinely surprised by the intensity of the crowd response.
“There are many people in WWE who did not agree with that decision, but the guy in charge did it,” Meltzer said. “The one thing I can say is, even though they may say something different publicly, they were blindsided by that reaction.”
Meltzer pushed back on the idea that WWE knowingly accepted the reaction as intentional heat. He explained that the response seen in the arena, including the loud chants and hostility following the finish, was not something that had been thoroughly discussed or anticipated internally.
“The idea that like we did it, we knew it was going to get heat, just the price we pay. When they were all chanting and (Triple H) went ‘Ah, I thought it’d be louder,’ that was a defense mechanism,” Meltzer said. “I don’t want to say there was no discussion of a reaction, but I was told there was no discussion of a reaction.”
Bryan Alvarez added that the nature of Cena’s loss played a major role in why fans reacted so strongly. He argued that the symbolism of Cena tapping out ran directly against the core message WWE promoted throughout his career.
“Here’s the thing. I don’t think it would have gotten that reaction if John Cena would have just passed out in that sleeper hold,” Alvarez said. “They got that reaction because for 20 years people have been sold on ‘Never Give Up.’”
The finish has since become one of the most debated creative decisions of the year. While some within WWE reportedly supported the long-term logic of Gunther winning, others felt Cena’s final moment should have protected his legacy more clearly. Despite the backlash, WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H has publicly defended the booking, maintaining that Cena’s decision aligned with how he has approached his entire career.
The disconnect between internal expectations and live audience reaction highlights just how emotionally invested fans remain in Cena’s legacy, even as WWE looks toward the future beyond his in-ring career.
WWE Reportedly Blindsided By Fan Reaction To John Cena Tapping Out To Gunther
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