Gunther Earns Nuclear Heat on RAW After Cruelly Mocking John Cena’s First Tap-Out in 20 Years

Continuing his ruthless heel run on Monday Night Raw, Gunther asserted his dominance while clashing with multiple WWE stars backstage.

Gunther Earns Nuclear Heat on RAW After Cruelly Mocking John Cena’s First Tap-Out in 20 Years

John Cena and Gunther (via WWE)

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The December 15 episode of Monday Night Raw aired live from Pennsylvania and centered on the fallout from Gunther’s polarising victory over John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Their 24-minute clash was widely hailed as an instant classic, but the ending stunned fans, as Cena tapped out with a smile for the first time in more than 20 years. 

The result sparked outrage inside Capital One Arena and among fans outside, and that hostility carried over to Raw. The show opened with Gunther making his way to the ring, microphone in hand, absorbing deafening boos and chants of “Gunther sucks!” and “You tapped out!” 

Unfazed by the nuclear heat, ‘The Ring General’ appeared satisfied, reminding everyone that he had delivered on his promise. He declared that he made Cena give up, mocking the legendary 17-time world champion for tapping out and showing no remorse for ending his career. The Austrian dropped the microphone and walked away to a chorus of jeers.

Halfway up the ramp, however, he stopped and returned to the ring, posing on the turnbuckles as the crowd’s anger intensified. He left again, only to turn back once more, repeating his claim that Cena submitted to him like a little bi**h and boldly stating that it was now his time.

Gunther emphasized that he would forever be remembered as the man who made Cena give up before finally heading backstage, smiling as cameras followed him through Gorilla Position and into the arena’s corridors. Backstage, he crossed paths with Alpha Academy. Otis remarked that Gunther must feel good in a shameful way, a sentiment the former world champion openly embraced. 

Moments later, R-Truth confronted him, calling him trash. Gunther responded with smug indifference, clearly content after defeating Cena. Adam Pearce soon confronted ‘The Ring General’, questioning whether he was proud of disrespecting Cena’s legacy. 

The Austrian admitted that he was, prompting Pearce to tell him that such behavior did not make him a ‘Ring General,’ but an “a***ole.” Pearce then instructed him to leave the building for the night.

As the 37-year-old exited the parking lot, he encountered AJ Styles leaning against a car. Asked if he had anything to say, Styles remained silent and gestured toward the vehicle. Gunther climbed in and drove away, rolling down the window to deliver one final, mocking “You can’t see me.”

The confrontation strongly suggested that Styles may be next in Gunther’s path, with the Austrian star seemingly intent on adding another legendary name to his list.

Gunther continues his heelish tactics on social media after retiring John Cena

Despite facing intense backlash on Monday Night Raw, Gunther showed no signs of remorse and continued to mock John Cena in the days leading up to the red brand show. After sending Cena into retirement with a submission victory at Saturday Night’s Main Event, the Austrian powerhouse wasted little time celebrating his achievement on social media.

SNME
SNME (via WWE)

On Sunday, the Austrian posted a photo on Instagram commemorating the victory, accompanied by the caption, “Pro Wrestling > Sports Entertainment.” The message was a deliberate shot, referencing long-standing criticism directed at Cena throughout his career. 

For years, Cena was often labeled more of a sports entertainer than a traditional professional wrestler, while Gunther has built his identity around preserving the discipline, intensity, and purity of the sport.

‘The Ring General’ doubled down on Monday afternoon ahead of Raw, posting a video compilation on Instagram featuring WWE superstars and fans reacting in shock to Cena tapping out. The video was paired with the caption, “When reality hits”, further emphasizing his belief that the outcome represented an unavoidable truth rather than an upset.

Even on Saturday night, Gunther leaned fully into his heel persona. He drew overwhelming heat from the live crowd, even engaging in a verbal exchange with a young fan. The hostility was so intense that security was required to escort him out of Capital One Arena, underscoring just how polarizing his actions had become.

Cena was not the first legend to fall at Gunther’s hands. Earlier this year, ‘The Ring General’ also retired Goldberg, adding another iconic name to his growing list. With two legends already dispatched, the Austrian appears to be positioning himself as WWE’s next true legend killer. 

As his dominance continues, the 37-year-old is widely expected to remain WWE’s top heel moving forward, with potential clashes against established stars such as AJ Styles and Brock Lesnar looming on the horizon.

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