Ring General earns Cena showdown after grueling SmackDown main event
Summary
– GUNTHER defeats LA Knight in the tournament final to earn John Cena’s last match
– Match features multiple near falls and high-impact exchanges
– Victory continues GUNTHER’s undefeated streak in non-title singles competition
GUNTHER closed SmackDown with a career-defining victory by defeating LA Knight in the finals of the Last Time Is Now Tournament. The match determined who would face John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, giving the night a high-stakes atmosphere.
Both finalists entered the Moody Center with strong momentum. Fans rallied behind Knight, while GUNTHER carried the weight of an impressive record, having never lost a non title singles match. Their opening exchanges set a heavy tone that continued throughout the match.
Knight connected with several major moves, including an AA and a rarely used burning hammer. Each attempt pushed GUNTHER to the brink, but near falls kept the match alive. GUNTHER responded with signature power, delivering a T Rex dropkick, multiple splashes, and a crushing powerbomb that still could not secure the victory.
Knight fought back with a top rope elbow drop and a sudden BFT, but GUNTHER reached the bottom rope to stay alive. The final stretch saw GUNTHER lock in a sleeper hold and batter Knight with repeated elbows. Knight attempted to lift him onto his shoulders, but GUNTHER transitioned into a crossface. The pressure forced Knight to submit, sealing the Ring General’s win.
GUNTHER now moves on to face Cena in Washington, D.C., setting the stage for the Hall of Famer’s final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
