Saturday Night’s Main Event opened with Cody Rhodes entering first, kicking the night off against NXT Champion Oba Femi. It ended with Rhodes as the last man standing at ringside.
After the show went off the air and John Cena took his final bow, the wrestlers surrounding the ring filed out one by one — yet Rhodes lingered. Speaking with Jackie Redmond, his right ear bandaged from a brutal war with Femi, an emotional Rhodes reflected on Cena’s career.
Fighting back emotion on what was supposed to be
Cena’s night, Rhodes spoke about the weight of the shoes Cena filled through both good and bad times. He pointed out that the crowd in Washington D.C. offered only “Let’s Go Cena” chants, not the polarized reactions of the past, as a sign of the respect Cena earned.
Rhodes was grateful that Cena’s last match, in which he tapped out to Gunther, happened in a great arena, yet sad that it had to happen at all. He was honored to be part of Cena’s final show, crediting Cena for leading with heart and mind while mastering the business side of WWE.
He noted that no one left even after Cena was out of sight, a rare sign of a truly great career, and tipped his hat to the GOAT. Rhodes emphasized there will never be a “next Cena,” only unique individuals striving to meet the incredibly high standard he set.
As WWE moves forward, Rhodes believes it won’t be one person who fills Cena’s shoes, but many stepping up together.
