John Cena's final match is at Saturday Night's Main Event next month. Everyone assumes Gunther wins the tournament and gets the honor - and that's probably right. But let's throw out some dark horse candidates who could create magic in Cena's retirement match.
Three wrestlers who SHOULD be in the conversation for John Cena's last opponent.

🤼 THE EXPECTED PICK: GUNTHER
Yeah, Gunther probably wins the "Last Time Is Now" tournament and faces Cena in his final match. It makes sense:

Dominant heel
Resume-building win
Takes the rub to next level
Keeps him in main event during title picture logjam (Seth/Bronson/Punk)

My original hope: Bron Breakker gets this moment. His big main event launching pad. But Gunther works too.
But what if WWE went a different direction?

🌟 DARK HORSE #1: LA KNIGHT
The most "ready" of my dark horse picks.
Why LA Knight Makes Sense:

Real star over the last couple years
For whatever reason, WWE won't fully commit to him as main event guy
THIS could be that moment - lock him in as main event talent
Critical Point: Cena won't be there to build shows anymore after Monday's last TV appearance
LA Knight is MORE than capable on the mic to create intrigue beyond just "it's Cena's last match"
Could really sink his teeth into this creatively
Give us a whole lot to be excited about

LA Knight could MAKE this retirement angle with his promos alone.

🔥 DARK HORSE #2: PENTA
The "match of the year" candidate.
Why Penta Makes Sense:

Needs a BIG boost after underwhelming first year in WWE
Penta vs John Cena = match we never thought we'd see
Would be INCREDIBLE in-ring
Resets everything after disappointing debut year
Storyline purposes: Honestly? I don't know what it does
But the MATCH itself would be spectacular

Sometimes you don't need complex story - just give us an amazing match for Cena's sendoff.

⭐ DARK HORSE #3: CARMELO HAYES (with a twist)
The "helping multiple stars" option.
Why Carmelo Makes Sense:

Feels like WWE dropped the ball with him
But Trick Williams is done with NXT after Last Man Standing with Ricki Starks
Start a FACTION: Carmelo at the front with Trick Williams
Add Lani Jordan (they've been teasing her with Trick)
The Manager: BOOKER T

Why Booker T?

Big ups guys on commentary, especially goes extra mile for Trick
Booker had feuds with Cena - easy tie-in
Now you have a new dominant faction going into 2026

The Big Picture:
Instead of Cena's retirement helping ONE performer (Gunther), now it helps THREE (Carmelo, Trick, Lani) plus elevates Booker as manager.

🎯 WHY THESE DARK HORSES MATTER:
LA Knight: Solves WWE's hesitation to push him, creates incredible promos
Penta: Dream match, resets his WWE run
Carmelo: Helps multiple stars, creates new faction, Booker T involvement

🎧 Listen on: Apple https://apple.co/49NGm2L | Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3QgazeHcSKSteZbBIubcuM