Gunther Compares Retiring John Cena To The End Of The Undertaker's Streak

Other than Cena finally giving up after a career of preaching people should never give up, one of the biggest issues fans seem to have with the way the match ended is the man who finally made Cena tap. The complaint from some is that it should have been someone younger. Someone whose career would have been propelled into the stratosphere by that single moment.

Giving A Young Star Cena's Retirement Match Might Not Have Been The Right Call

That's a bigger risk to take than most fans realize, though. Putting that kind of weight on a young star's shoulders could do more harm than good in the long run. As Gunther highlights, having him be the one to end Cena's career is comparable to Lesnar being chosen to break the streak because it takes an established star and elevates them to an almost unattainable level.

It is a similar situation that also comes with a bit of pressure because at the end of the day. What I achieved that night is a gift, and it's up to me to protect that gift and keep it up - Gunther

As the former World Champion points out, the pressure from being Cena's final opponent didn't come from the match itself, but from what comes after. The Austrian now needs to prove he was the right man for the job. Lesnar went from being a monster to a seemingly unbeatable behemoth after he ended the streak. Gunther needs to follow a similar path if he wants to make those streak comparisons ring true.

There have been plenty of examples throughout WWE history that prove making someone a star isn't as simple as putting them in a big match or giving them a big moment. Having Baron Corbin retire Kurt Angle didn't elevate him to the next level, as that momentum couldn't be sustained. There was also no plan for Austin Theory after he beat Cena at WrestleMania, with his career effectively derailing after he was given the biggest victory of his career.