John Cena’s Stunning WWE Decision Propels an Unexpected Series to Netflix’s Number 1 Spot

The post–John Cena era of WWE didn’t ease in gently — it detonated. Between Monday and Tuesday, WWE RAW shot to Number 1 on Netflix, fueled almost entirely by fans desperate to see what came next after Cena’s career-ending loss — and the desperate sadness that followed from the WWE Universe in response to the decision Cena made to both retire, and in the manner of defeat — and Gunther’s merciless follow-up.

Monday’s RAW from Hershey, Pennsylvania, opened with a scene fans clearly weren’t emotionally prepared for. Gunther, fresh off the biggest win of his career, marched to the ring to gloat about ending the career of the greatest wrestler of all time. The crowd wasn’t having it. Every word out of “The Ring General’s” mouth was drowned in boos — not the polite kind, but the kind that shake a building. That reaction answered the question many fans had been asking since Saturday Night’s Main Event: Did Gunther really need to make Cena tap out? Monday night proved exactly why he did.

In wrestling, “heat” is money and Gunther cashed in big on it; it was a heel segment for the agents. He didn’t thank Cena. He didn’t show respect. He didn’t soften the blow. Even after RAW General Manager Adam Pearce kicked him out of the arena for his disrespectful promo, Gunther doubled down, peeling out of the parking lot in a sports car and flashing a mocking “you can’t see me” gesture at AJ Styles. This was a heel masterclass.

Gunther has now retired GoldbergandJohn Cena — two names that define eras. With AJ Styles publicly stating that 2026 will likely be his final year, speculation is already swirling about whether “The Ring General” is being positioned as WWE’s next true legend-killer. If Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns once defined dominance, Gunther is now carving a lane toward that same rarefied air.

Why Did John Cena Retire?

Cena is 48 years old now. He’s become a big star in Hollywood, thanks to roles in projects like Peacemaker and Fast & Furious, plus, he’s paid his dues in the ring. The greatest wrestler of all time in many people’s eyes, Cena earned the right to step away at last.

“I’m 48 years old and I made a promise when I started getting success in WWE way back around 2004. I promised the audience when I felt I lost a step, it was time to step away.”

WWE RAW streams Mondays on Netflix.