Gunther Talks Facing John Cena in WWE Retirement Match at SNME in Video

Prior to being the opponent in John Cena's retirement match this weekend, Gunther appeared Wednesday on ESPN's First Take to discuss the upcoming clash at Saturday Night's Main Event.

Speaking to Stephen A. Smith and Shae Cornette (beginning at the 50-second mark), Gunther called his match with Cena "very special," adding, "I think everybody's coming, bringing all this love and support for John Cena that night, and I'm in the incredible, special situation that I can ruin it all, ruin that party and break a few hearts. And I think that's what I'm gonna do."

Gunther went on to divulge that when he started wrestling about 20 years ago, he "hated that guy in jorts," referring to Cena, and felt he didn't "belong in a ring."

Like he did on Monday night's episode of Raw, Gunther gave Cena his props by calling him the "greatest sports entertainer of all time," but he once again called himself the "greatest professional wrestler there is right now."

The Ring General questioned Smith's list of the five greatest pro wrestlers of all time, particularly his choice of Goldberg at No. 1, although he didn't take issue with Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and The Rock at Nos. 2 through 4.

When asked to name wrestlers he wished were still able to compete in WWE today, Gunther mentioned Kurt Angle and Eddie Guerrero, noting that Angle was "always somebody that I really enjoyed watching."

At Saturday Night's Main Event in Washington, D.C., Gunther will meet a wrestler who many consider to be the greatest of all time in Cena.

The Austrian Superstar won the Last Time Is Now tournament to earn the right to face Cena in his last match, and he has made it his stated goal to force Cena to tap out.

It has been more than two decades since the 17-time world champion last submitted, so it will be a huge deal if Gunther is able to make it happen.

No matter how Saturday's match plays out, it will be both a celebration of Cena and a launching pad for Gunther's career, which has already seen him hold the World Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships in WWE.