WWE SNME Card Predictions for John Cena's Retirement After Survivor Series Results

Following Survivor Series: WarGames, John Cena's legendary WWE career will officially come to an end on Dec. 13 at Saturday Night's Main Event.

Cena finally won the Intercontinental championship, becoming a grand slam champion during the Nov. 10 episode of Raw. However, it was a short-lived reign, as Dominik Mysterio regained the title at the year's last premium live event with the help of a returning Liv Morgan.

It was the latest moment from a turbulent farewell tour that has its share of highs and bewildering lows. Nevertheless, the 48-year-old is just two weeks away from his last appearance as a full-time competitor.

The destination of his final match has been set for some time, but we're getting closer to finding out who could retire one of the most recognizable pro wrestlers ever. We're down to four participants in the The Last Time is Now Tournament, but only one of them will earn the chance of a lifetime.

WWE also granted Cena's request to use the rest of the card for exhibition matches featuring the top NXT talent against established main roster stars. It's a great opportunity to use such a momentous occasion to showcase the next crop of up-and-comers.

These are our predictions for the upcoming SNME card in Washington, D.C., and Cena's retirement match following Survivor Series.

Carmelo Hayes vs. Je'Von Evans

Je'Von Evans has a bright future ahead after his strong showings on SmackDown, TNA, and Raw this year.

If any budding star from NXT should compete in an exhibition match on this card, it should be him, and Carmelo Hayes would be the perfect opponent. Both men lost to Gunther in The Last Time is Now Tournament, but they deserve a chance to redeem themselves on SNME.

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Hayes, in particular, could use this opportunity after such a frustrating year on the main roster. The third overall pick in the 2024 WWE Draft also emerged as a fan favorite pick to win the 16-man tournament because he has often expressed interest in a dream match with Cena.

The 31-year-old mimicked Cena's "ruthless aggression" promo in 2021, and his idol also made his NXT debut on Oct. 10, 2023 to help him defeat Bron Breakker. It would've been awesome to see the two wrestle during his farewell tour, but a match with Evans would also be a great addition to this edition of Saturday Night's Main Event.

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Oba Femi vs. Grayson Waller

Oba is the most anticipated call-up for many fans following his dominant run with the NXT and North American Championship.

So much so, that some viewers hoped he would debut in The Last Time is Now Tournament and eventually win to retire Cena. That may have been a bit presumptuous, but it indicates how many believe Femi is the next big star in the making.

The 27-year-old should be present for a show that will garner so many viewers, and he should earn a decisive win. Grayson Waller is someone Femi has wrestled at live events, and he has challenged Cena to a match multiple times.

So, it would be a nice callback if he opened Saturday Night's Main Event and demanded a match only to face The Ruler instead. That would be a solid way to get both of them on the card.

John Cena vs. Gunther

Out of all the remaining competitors in The Last Time is Now Tournament, Gunther makes the most sense as Cena's final opponent.

Solo Sikoa vs. Gunther and LA Knight vs. Jey Uso are set as the semifinals. Although the other participants have a history, The Ring General still hasn't had a one-on-one match with the future Hall of Famer.

Knight teamed up with Cena to face The Bloodline at Fastlane in 2023, while Sikoa defeated him with the Somoan Spike at Crown Jewel in the same year. Uso famously eliminated this year's runner-up to win the men's Royal Rumble match and win his first world title at WrestleMania 41.

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Gunther is the only participant left in this field who hasn't had a moment with Cena, and he would revel in the heat after retiring such a beloved top star. Still, some skeptics thought it would be regressive for him to beat him to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

Now that Mysterio has regained his title, Gunther is the most logical choice heading into Saturday Night's Main Event.