Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch Offer Contrasting Reactions to John Cena’s Controversial WWE Farewell

Seth Rollins views John Cena’s tap-out at SNME as a torch-passing moment, while Becky Lynch strongly disagrees with his WWE farewell.

Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch Offer Contrasting Reactions to John Cena’s Controversial WWE Farewell

John Cena, Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch (via WWE)

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John Cena’s swansong brought his 23-year WWE career to a bittersweet close. One of the most popular and influential professional wrestlers of his generation, the 17-time world champion officially said goodbye following his final match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event inside Capital One Arena on December 13.

In the final match of the card, Cena faced the Austrian powerhouse for the first time and fell in defeat. In the closing moments, Cena was caught in Gunther’s sleeper hold but attempted one last rally, even flashing a smile to the crowd as fans passionately chanted his name. For more than two decades, Cena preached hustle, loyalty, and respect. 

Above all, he carried a message that resonated across generations: Never give up. Perhaps for that very reason, fans inside Capital One Arena were left furious. The loss itself wasn’t the issue, but the manner in which it happened. 

As the Austrian cinched in the sleeper, the crowd erupted with chants of “Don’t give up!” Yet despite spending decades telling fans to do exactly that, Cena did the unthinkable: he tapped out after 24 grueling minutes. The moment didn’t sit well with everyone, and WWE power couple Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch shared their thoughts on the controversial ending. 

Speaking on the Ross Tucker podcast, Rollins explained why Cena appeared to tap with a smile on his face, suggesting it was less about surrender and more about closure, and passing the torch to the next generation. 

I don’t know, I have so many mixed feelings on it. John is one of the greatest of all time. His whole thing is never give up, but it didn’t feel like he was- people were all over him for giving up, but it didn’t feel like he was giving up. It felt like he was fading off into the sunset, like he had done his job, was happy to do it, and was handing the ball off.

Seth Rollins via The Ross Tucker podcast

In a separate interview with Clutch Points, the couple revisited the topic, with Lynch offering a contrasting perspective. The Irishwoman was adamant that she wouldn’t have tapped, adding that Cena also shouldn’t have tapped. The stance was ironic, given that Lynch recently submitted to AJ Lee at WrestlePalooza in September.

Regardless of the debate, Cena has left the company in the hands of a new generation. Rollins and Lynch remain cornerstones of the company, while Gunther has now retired both Goldberg and Cena. 

The 17-time champion gave everything to the business over more than two decades, and now the responsibility of carrying the company forward rests with those who follow in his footsteps.

Rob Van Dam reflects on his WWE title match against John Cena at One Night Stand 2006 as the defining moment of his career

Several legends were on hand to witness John Cena’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event, including one of his most memorable rivals, Rob Van Dam. RVD was shown interacting with Cena at ringside before the bell, and the camera later panned to the WWE Hall of Famer, who received a massive ovation from the crowd. 

John Cena vs. RVD at One Night Stand 2006
John Cena vs. RVD at One Night Stand 2006 (via WWE)

The appearance was fitting, given Van Dam’s own history with Cena. Nearly two decades earlier, their 2006 clash at ECW One Night Stand remains one of the most iconic matches of both men’s careers. The event not only signaled the full revival of ECW under the WWE umbrella, but also marked the night RVD finally reached the mountaintop, capturing the WWE Championship.

Unlike traditional Money in the Bank cash-ins, Van Dam announced his intentions in advance, choosing to face Cena inside the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Backed by a fiercely partisan ECW crowd, RVD used the environment to his advantage and walked out as WWE champion in what remains one of the most memorable title changes in company history.

Speaking with TMZ, Van Dam reflected on that moment, calling it the defining achievement of his career. 

Yeah, that was the highlight, the pinnacle, the moment of my career. Wrestling him and then, of course, in the finale, beating him, walking away the victor.

Rob Van Dam via TMZ

RVD went on to explain that the accomplishment meant far more than simply becoming WWE champion. Achieving success on his own terms, he helped create a unique path by embracing ECW and refusing to conform to a more traditional mold, despite years of pressure to do so. 

Winning the title became a moment of vindication: proof that staying true to himself had paid off. For the unversed, Van Dam was just one of many legends present for Cena’s farewell. He shared an embrace with his former rival before the match, while icons such as Mark Henry, Kurt Angle, and Trish Stratus were also seated at ringside. 

Additional familiar faces included Eve Torres, Haku, Michelle McCool, and current WWE stars Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, all there to witness a historic night honoring Cena’s legacy.

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