John Cena's emotional farewell in WWE turned into a shocking defeat that has fans buzzing – but was it all part of the script?
Hey there, wrestling fans! I'm Geno Mrosko, a die-hard pro wrestling enthusiast who's been immersed in the world of grappling giants since I started as a Manager at Cageside Seats back in 2011. Tonight's Survivor Series event at Petco Park in San Diego, California (on Sat., Nov. 29, 2025), marked what was supposed to be John Cena's final premium live event (PLE) in WWE. As a reminder of days gone by, Cena kicked things off with his classic call to Stu the cameraman: it was time to go to work.
That 'work' centered on Cena defending his Intercontinental championship in a singles showdown against Dominik Mysterio, one of the standout matches of the evening. Early on, things heated up with a clever tactic that had everyone on edge. Dominik mimicked an injured shoulder, just like his cousin Rey's rival Penta did on TV not long ago. For beginners who might be new to wrestling lingo, this is a classic ruse where a wrestler pretends to be hurt to lure opponents into a trap or distract them – it's all about strategy and mind games in the squared circle.
But here's where it gets controversial... It turned out Dominik's injury was totally fake, giving Roxanne Perez and Raquel Rodriguez the perfect moment to sneak in and attack Cena right in the ring. They set up for Dominik's signature moves, the 619 (a high-flying kick to the ropes) and the frog splash (a diving move), but the referee wasn't fooled – he refused to count the pin and booted the Judgment Day duo out of the ring. Was this the right call, or did it rob Dominik of a fair chance? Fans are still debating if referees should interfere more in these chaotic moments to keep things 'clean.'
Not deterred, Dominik resorted to an old-school trick: loosening his boot to create a distraction. It paid off, earning him another shot at his double finisher, but Cena kicked out at two, showing his legendary resilience. And this is the part most people miss – it highlights how even seasoned vets like Cena can be vulnerable to underhanded tactics, adding layers of excitement and realism to pro wrestling.
The match escalated further when a referee bump (that's wrestling speak for when the official gets accidentally knocked down, allowing chaos to ensue) brought the entire Judgment Day faction into the fray to back up Dominik. For those just getting into WWE, factions like Judgment Day are groups of wrestlers who team up, blending alliances with rivalries for epic storylines. Unfortunately for them, it backfired spectacularly – Cena managed to deliver Attitude Adjustments (his iconic powerbomb move) to two members at once, turning the tide and showcasing why he's a 16-time world champion.
But the real twist? Liv Morgan, Dominik's girlfriend, made her highly anticipated comeback to save the day for her man. At first, it seemed like she might have betrayed him with a slap – a heel turn that could have shocked the wrestling world. (For beginners, a 'heel' is the villain in wrestling, opposite of the heroic 'face.') However, it was all a clever deception; Liv turned on Cena instead, landing a low blow (a sneaky strike below the belt) that set up Dominik to regain the Intercontinental title and secure a 'dirty' victory.
In the end, Cena's swan song in WWE concluded with a loss, leaving fans emotional and divided. Did Liv's return feel like a fitting tribute to Cena's legacy, or was it a cheap way to end his story? And what about Dominik – is he now a top contender, or do his reliance on tricks undermine his potential?
Catch all the Survivor Series WarGames action in our live blog here, and dive into our community discussions here. What do you think – did this match live up to the hype, or was it overshadowed by the controversies? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'm curious to hear if you agree that wrestling needs more of these dramatic twists or if it's time for cleaner finishes. Let's chat!
