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WWE Raw: What's Next for Gunther After Retiring John Cena

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Harrison | Last updated Dec 15, 2025 2:38 PM ET

Triple H made the right decision on Saturday.

John Cena tapping to Gunther in his final match created a generational heel. Michael Cole has repeatedly said that Gunther is a throwback to the 1970s. Gunther is an old-school heel — a professional wrestler you pay money to possibly see lose.

The hate he's getting is exactly what fuels the wrestling business. In fact, it's best for business.

John Cena and Triple H agreed on the match's finish. Cena is a loyal talent and a savvy businessman. He saw beyond December 13 to the next 10 years of creative possibilities. The heat Gunther received on Saturday will stick with him for the next decade, in turn creating more profitable babyfaces. It all makes sense.

Why Professional Wrestling Beat Sports Entertainment

WWE reposted Michael Cole's calls at the end of Saturday's match: "Tonight, professional wrestling destroyed sports entertainment." They've dubbed it a "poetic line."

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That's the short-term angle they're running with. Triple H's Gunther beat Vince McMahon's John Cena. NXT beat WWE. NXT is WWE now.

Don't expect that to last long, however. That short-term framing is fertilizer for the field WWE becomes: a place for athletes who tell stories through the art form known as professional wrestling.

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Gunther, like a modern-day Andre the Giant, leads the way on the heel side. Bron Breakker follows behind him, but WWE won't be able to keep him a heel for long.

What does that mean?

Eventually, we'll get Gunther vs. Breakker.

That's the next generational rivalry WWE has in the oven. It will carry the motif of Hogan-Andre — an irresistible force meeting an immovable object.

And it will make a ton of money.

WWE is a business, and the finish of Saturday Night's Main Event was one of WWE's best business decisions.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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