AEW star MVP has defended John Cena after he was part of criticism in regards to his WWE retirement match. The trouble came when Cena lost to Gunther by tapping out, and it caught many off guard and became a topic of conversation all around the wrestling world.
Cena’s last match had him tapping out, despite his long-held motto of “never give up.” That moment led some fans to question whether the finish contradicted the image he built over two decades. MVP, however, sees the decision very differently.
Passing the Torch
Speaking on Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze, MVP framed the moment as a traditional passing of the torch. “Well, the old adage in our wrestling business is you come in on your back, you go out on your back,” MVP explained. He added that a veteran leaving the business by elevating a younger star is a time-honored practice.
MVP emphasized that Gunther was the perfect choice. “In this case, that’s the classic situation of, you know, Gunther’s got a lot of cache, a lot of momentum,” he said. “Obviously, they think the world of him to give him that position to be able to beat John Cena with a submission, no less.”
The submission finish carried extra meaning given Cena’s career-long messaging. “John Cena’s whole shtick through the years is never give up. You know, hustle, loyalty, respect, and never give up,” MVP said. He believes that makes the moment even more powerful.
Cena’s Professionalism Praised
MVP also dismissed the idea that Cena was forced into the finish. He noted that a star of Cena’s stature would not agree to such an ending unless he fully supported it. He complimented the 17-time world champion for his professionalism, work ethic and not moaning about things over the course of his career.
Cena also came under fire for smiling while being forced to tap out. MVP offered two possible explanations. “He gave up. He finally gave up. It was time,” he said. “And I think he smiled because either he was just like, ‘Okay, it’s time to go. We’re finally here. It’s over now.’”
MVP also suggested a legitimate sporting angle. “Or, as I said, from a jiu-jitsu perspective, [it was like], ‘God damn, he got me, man. I can’t get out of this.’”
MVP closed by honoring Cena as a “once-in-a-lifetime” performer. He expressed gratitude for sharing the ring and locker room with him. For MVP, Cena’s final act was not a contradiction, but a fitting farewell.
