Tournament background: stakes were sky-high

On December 5, 2025, SmackDown hosted the finals of the “The Last Time Is Now Tournament,” a showdown to decide who would face John Cena in what is now confirmed as his final match at Saturday Night's Main Event XLII on December 13. 

 

Knight had battled his way through a gauntlet of former-champions and big names — including wins over the likes of Zack Ryder, The Miz, and Jey Uso — to earn his place in the final. 

In short: this was Knight’s chance not only to reach the end of the tournament, but to step up in Cena’s final farewell match with the spotlight and narrative momentum behind him.

What happened: a strong showing, but fell short

The match was a hard-hitting back-and-forth affair. Knight absorbed a barrage of offense from Gunther — chops, suplexes, top-rope attacks — but kept fighting, even hitting his finisher (the BFT) and nearly pinning his opponent. 

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He looked like he controlled large moments of the match: selling injuries, trading strikes, and mounting a believable comeback especially after the BFT. Many fans in attendance reportedly reacted strongly for Knight. 

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But in the decisive moment, Gunther locked in a submission — described as a modified crossface/sleeper-style hold — targeting Knight’s neck. Despite Knight’s valiant effort, he was forced to tap out. Gunther won and secured the right to face Cena. 

Why many believe Knight should have won

• Narrative momentum & underdog energy: Knight’s path to the final — defeating multiple established names and surviving back-to-back high-stakes matches — gave him a strong underdog arc. That kind of storytelling often resonates best when it pays off in big moments. Giving Knight the win would have played into classic pro-wrestling long-game booking, where a fighter scrapping through adversity gets the ultimate reward in a marquee match.

• Fan reaction and star power: Fan reaction reportedly leaned heavily toward Knight during the match. WWE often builds on crowd heat — letting the crowd’s energy influence major booking decisions might have amplified interest in Cena’s final match, by making it feel like a battle between the fan-favorite Knight and “The Legend.”

• Setting up a future world-title contender: As some analysts noted after the match, Knight “walked away stronger than expected.”  A win against Cena in his farewell match (or even just being the final challenger) could have elevated Knight to top-tier status — giving WWE a built-in storyline for 2026 around Knight chasing a world title.

• Subverting the expected outcome: Many had pegged Gunther as the likely final opponent from the start. Letting Knight win would have been a bold, rewarding twist — a “fresh face vs. legend” narrative rather than “trusted veteran vs. legend.”

But why WWE went with Gunther anyway

Of course, WWE isn’t booking solely for what feels right — they also have long-term strategies. Gunther is a proven, reliable heel, known for physical dominance and long title reigns. Putting him opposite Cena provides a safer, more predictable anchor for Cena’s final match. 

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From a business standpoint, Gunther is already established; a win over Cena just further cements his credibility. Meanwhile, putting Cena over a fresher name like Knight might have risked muddling the farewell narrative, or raising too many “what ifs” about Knight’s future booking.

What this means for LA Knight — and what could come next

Even in defeat, Knight walked away with plenty of credit. Many believe this match leaves him “money” in WWE’s storytelling — still relevant, still credible, and with fan support. 

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If WWE leans into the crowd reaction and momentum, Knight could be positioned for a major push in early 2026 — maybe another run at a world title, or a spotlight feud that capitalizes on the sympathy and backing from fans who felt he was robbed Friday night.

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For WWE watchers: this loss may not be the end of Knight’s story — but rather the beginning of something bigger.

Final thought

Friday’s match showcased exactly why many love pro wrestling: the drama, the crowd energy, the near-finishes, and the emotional stakes. LA Knight came in with the odds stacked, but left giving a match that convinced many he deserved that final shot with Cena. Whether WWE turns that promise into a push remains to be seen — but if they do, this loss might go down as the moment they built a true challenger.