John Cena Explains Why He Smiled While Tapping Out In WWE Retirement Match

John Cena's career came to an end in controversial circumstances at the December 13 edition of Saturday Night's Main Event as after adopting a mantra of 'Never Give Up' for 20 years, the 17-time world champion tapped out for the first time since No Way Out 2004 while in a chokehold from Gunther.

Cena had a smile on his face while he gave up to end his career, and the 48-year-old explained on What Do You Wanna Talk About? that he had a big grin across his face to show that he was at peace with ending his career, comparing it to passing away peacefully.

"For the last five minutes, everything I preach about story and drama and having a conversation with the audience. The ones I love are in the front row. I know my colleagues are watching on the monitor back there. We're just in a sleeper hold, man. We're having that conversation with the audience and as I essentially take my last breath, I have struggled," Cena stated.

"If you think of somebody, the natural causes scenario or however we picture loss in our life, all of us have been through it. They struggle, they struggle, they struggle, they hang on just long enough to make sure to say goodbye to everybody that's been meaningful in their lives. That whole day was so many unbelievably vulnerable, meaningful conversations. And then you realise I've connected with everybody I love, physically I feel great, I think it's time to take that last breath," he continued.

"I hate to keep going back morbidly to obituaries but like this person died peacefully. Knowing that, man, we're in a good place. We're going to be great going forward. The bottom of the t-shirt says, 'I gave everything, thank you for everything.' In that one moment that was that. Going peacefully."

Cena has already compared him tapping out while smiling to the death of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.

There was a mixed response to Cena tapping out in his final match as WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H was ferociously booed by those in attendance at Saturday Night's Main Event, with WWE said to be blindsided by the response.

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