Sports
CM Punk’s Live Reaction to Gunther Beating John Cena
The live reaction of CM Punk to the ending of John Cena‘s final career match has emerged, and it’s pretty telling.
Washington DC’s Capital One Arena played host to Cena’s last WWE bout, with the 17-time world champion taking on Gunther in the headline attraction of Saturday Night’s Main Event.
Prior to embarking upon his 36-date farewell tour at the start of 2025, which concluded with Saturday’s match, Cena made it clear that he was calling it quits because he wanted to say goodbye while he was still able to perform at a respectable level.
Going more than 23 minutes with ‘The Ring General’, the 48-year-old Cena put in a strong performance in his final match, more than playing his part in a back-and-forth encounter.
John Cena Lost His Final Career Match After Tapping Out
Highlights included John hitting his Attitude Adjustment finisher both off the top rope and through a ringside table. Fans lapped up every moment that Cena was on the attack. However, when it came to the ending of the match, there was one thing that nobody in attendance wanted to see, including CM Punk.
Cena has always built his character on a mantra of ‘Never Give Up’. As a result, it made perfect sense that fans weren’t keen to witness John surrendering on his final night in the ring. They made their feelings clear, too, chanting “Don’t give up”, as Gunther threatened to lock in his trademark sleeper submission.
Despite the pleas of the fans, though, Cena would tap out at the conclusion of the match, doing so for the first time in more than 20 years. Immediately, boos filled the arena as spectators made their feelings on the finish clear.
CM Punk’s Live Reaction to John Cena Losing
Footage has since emerged of Cena’s fellow WWE Superstars, CM Punk and Bayley, watching the final moments of the match from the crowd.
Seconds after the match ended, the pair could be seen with a stunned look on their face as they looked towards one of the many big screens in the arenas. Although Cena and Gunther had both worked hard to deliver a stellar main event, there was no round of applause from their fellow professionals.
At one point, Bayley turned to Punk and said something about the finish, before the duo left to go and pay tribute to Cena at ringside. One fan on social media claimed that the fan favourite had said:
“I hate that f****** finish. You ready to go?”
While there has been no confirmation of the above translation, neither Punk or Bayley looked at all impressed with the way the match had ended. Their facial expressions mirrored those of many of the fans around them, with few quite able to believe that Cena’s career had ended on such an anticlimatic note.
In the aftermath of the match, WWE Chief Content Officer, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, insisted that the finish was the right one. He told the post-show panel:
“John has said the right thing his entire career that it is about leaving this place better than you found it. I think that there’s no way for people to understand that in the moment, but you do what is right for business, you do what is right for this industry. John has done that his entire career.”
Triple H may believe that a Gunther victory by submission was the right call for the company as whole. However, several of his Superstars, including Punk and Bayley would seem to have a very different view.
Manchester United sent a representative to the FIFA World Cup to watch Uruguay left-back Maxi Araujo, according to Portuguese outlet Record.
Araujo has been a standout performer since the tournament began, putting in eye-catching displays for the South Americans. He has featured twice, scoring two goals and providing one assist.
The United official picked a good game to watch the 26-year-old in action as they attended Uruguay’s 2-2 draw against Cape Verde. Araujo got himself on the scoresheet and also set up Agustin Canobbio during an entertaining affair at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Man Utd Interest in Uruguay’s Araujo Grows
The report claims that United have been tracking Araujo throughout the 2025-26 campaign and have stepped up their interest. The scouting report from Uruguay’s draw against Cape Verde indicates the club’s admiration has grown.
Araujo is a versatile left-sided player who can play at full-back and on the wing. He made 47 appearances across competitions for Sporting CP last season, chipping in with seven goals and six assists.
United are thought to be keen on adding a new left-back to Michael Carrick’s squad to hand competition to Luke Shaw. Tyrell Malacia left following the expiration of his contract, and Shaw has nobody challenging him for a starting berth.
Carrick might also be enticed by Araujo’s versatility, given that he previously hinted that he wants a left-winger this summer. With Shaw now in his thirties, there is a need to start thinking about a long-term replacement.
How Much Sporting Want For Araujo
If United decide to make a concrete move for Araujo, they could be looking at paying around £51million for the Uruguayan. The report claims that Sporting are prepared to do business around that fee despite the inclusion of a £68million release clause in his contract.
Araujo, dubbed “explosive,” could yet extend his stay at José Alvalade Stadium, as the Portuguese giants reportedly have a plan. Once the World Cup concludes, they plan to hold talks with the player’s entourage about a new deal that would move him closer to the higher end of the club’s wage structure.
⚽
World Cup History Quiz
You scored
out of 20
The Montevideo-born left-back has three years left on his current contract. He’s been with the club since the summer of 2024, when he arrived from Mexican outfit Toluca.
United also have Lewis Hall on their radar, and he reportedly is open to joining the Red Devils. The issue is that Newcastle United are reluctant to sell the Englishman, which could mean INEOS turn to Araujo as an alternative.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been making headlines ever since the start of the 2026 World Cup due to his entertaining and cutting punditry for FOX Sports. Now, the legendary striker has ranked the best performers this summer based on their individual performances.
The Swede didn’t have too much luck when it came to the biggest international stage, failing to find the net in either of his two World Cups. However, he’s still a revered figure in the game, with his opinion holding a lot of weight among players and fans.
World Cup: ‘Real Reason’ Behind Alexi Lalas and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s ‘Hatred’ Leaked
The dynamic between Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alexi Lalas has been a major talking point at the World Cup… and things are ‘awkward’ between the pair.
As part of his role on FOX, Ibrahimovic has a regular segment called ‘King of the Jungle’. This is where he will regularly make changes to his top nine performers at the World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo Sneaks Into Ibrahimovic’s Rankings
While actually tasked with giving his 10 best players at the United States, Canada and Mexico-hosted tournament, Zlatan has placed himself in the top spot permanently. So, ignoring that, Lionel Messi has been the star of the World Cup.
That’s reflected in Ibrahimovic’s rankings, as he’s rewarded the greatest footballer of all time’s performances with the top spot among active players. Messi netted a sensational hat-trick in Argentina’s opening game, before adding a brace against Austria.
Kylian Mbappe (2nd) and Erling Haaland (3rd) are two of the best strikers in world football. They are also Messi’s closest rivals in the Golden Boot race this summer, having netted four goals for France and Norway, respectively.
2026 World Cup Golden Boot: 17 Top Goalscorers Predicted By AI
Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are all expected to finish among the top goalscorers in this summer’s tournament.
Real Madrid and Brazil star Vinicius Junior has equalled that goal tally after finding the net in all three of his nation’s group games. He’s also provided a single assist, cementing himself as Carlo Ancelotti’s talisman and Ibrahimovic’s fourth-best player.
Lamine Yamal proved he’s Spain’s most important player with his performance and goal against Saudi Arabia after La Roja struggled without him starting in the opening game. The best young player on the planet has been better than sixth-placed England hero Harry Kane, who has two goals so far.
Michael Olise may not have found the net yet for France, but he’s still been impressive for Les Bleus. The ex-Premier League winger has set up three goals already, and looks a strong contender for the Playmaker Award.
Elsewhere, Cristiano Ronaldo has now made his way into Ibrahimovic’s rankings after missing out the week before. Portugal’s thrashing of Uzbekistan saw CR7 announce he’s ‘back’ following a two-goal cameo. That puzzled Ibra, who ‘thought he never left’.
But the Manchester United and Real Madrid icon can’t force his way past one of the surprise packages of the competition so far. Deniz Undav hasn’t started any of Germany’s games, but has still picked up three goals and two assists. Undav is eighth, one place above Ronaldo.
|
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s World Cup Power Rankings |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Player |
Country |
Goals |
Assists |
|
1. |
Lionel Messi |
Argentina |
5 |
0 |
|
2. |
Kylian Mbappe |
France |
4 |
0 |
|
3. |
Erling Haaland |
Norway |
4 |
0 |
|
4. |
Vinicius Jr |
Brazil |
4 |
1 |
|
5. |
Lamine Yamal |
Spain |
1 |
0 |
|
6. |
Harry Kane |
England |
2 |
0 |
|
7. |
Michael Olise |
France |
0 |
3 |
|
8. |
Deniz Undav |
Germany |
3 |
2 |
|
9. |
Cristiano Ronaldo |
Portugal |
2 |
0 |
Statistics in this article are courtesy of FIFA. Correct as of 26-06-26.
Yan Diomande to Liverpool and Julian Alvarez to Man United lead the latest Market Madness transfer update with Ben Jacobs.
Kate Mason and Ben Jacobs are live for another World Cup edition of Market Madness as the transfer window continues to heat up, with updates on Liverpool’s pursuit of Yan Diomande, Manchester United’s shock interest in Julian Alvarez, and the latest around Elliot Anderson.
Faissal Chehade, Individual Development Coach at CD Leganés, joins the show to discuss Yan Diomande’s rise in professional football and the clubs that missed their chance early in his journey.
Guardian and Observer Manchester football correspondent Jamie Jackson also joins Kate and Ben to give his verdict on England ahead of the Panama game, plus the latest on the Elliot Anderson transfer race.
Ben also answers your transfer questions, including:
– Yan Diomande: Is a Liverpool deal getting closer?
– Nottingham Forest’s midfield plans after Elliot Anderson
– Could Lucas Bergvall be part of Forest’s next move?
– Manchester United’s interest in Julian Alvarez
– Felix Nmecha and Aurelien Tchouameni links to United
– Arsenal and Bruno Guimaraes
– Newcastle’s position on Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali
– Where Crysencio Summerville could end up next
All that and more on Market Madness.
Man Utd Send Official to Watch £68m World Cup Star
NDLEA arrests 289 suspects, secures 52 convictions since January — Mitchell
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 2026 World Cup Power Rankings
Simi Sanya and Femi Dapson Are Now Legally Married and It Is Beautiful to See
FCT Area Council Election: Live results from polling units
Premier League Set-Piece Goals (2025/2026)
-
Sports2 days agoBastian Schweinsteiger Sparks Outrage With Comments Ahead of Germany v Ivory Coast
-
Sports2 days agoWhy Austria and Algeria May Both Want to Lose Their Final Group Game
-
Sports1 day agoThomas Partey Could Be Blocked From Knockout Tie
-
Sports9 hours agoFIFA Allow Rainbow Flags at World Cup ‘Pride Match’ Featuring Iran vs Egypt
-
Sports2 days agoSteve Clarke Slammed For Interview After Scotland 0-3 Brazil
-
Sports21 hours agoRory McIlroy Risks Breaking PGA Tour Rule That Led to One-Year Ban
-
Sports22 hours agoTrent Alexander-Arnold Could Have Played For the USMNT Instead of England
-
Sports1 day agoJon Jones Names UFC Opponent Who Hit Him the Hardest