John Cena's final match is at Saturday Night's Main Event next month. Everyone assumes Gunther wins the tournament and gets the honor - and that's probably right. But let's throw out some dark horse candidates who could create magic in Cena's retirement match.br Three wrestlers who SHOULD be in the conversation for John Cena's last opponent.br br 🤼 THE EXPECTED PICK: GUNTHERbr Yeah, Gunther probably wins the "Last Time Is Now" tournament and faces Cena in his final match. It makes sense:br br Dominant heelbr Resume-building winbr Takes the rub to next levelbr Keeps him in main event during title picture logjam (SethBronsonPunk)br br My original hope: Bron Breakker gets this moment. His big main event launching pad. But Gunther works too.br But what if WWE went a different direction?br br 🌟 DARK HORSE #1: LA KNIGHTbr The most "ready" of my dark horse picks.br Why LA Knight Makes Sense:br br Real star over the last couple yearsbr For whatever reason, WWE won't fully commit to him as main event guybr THIS could be that moment - lock him in as main event talentbr Critical Point: Cena won't be there to build shows anymore after Monday's last TV appearancebr LA Knight is MORE than capable on the mic to create intrigue beyond just "it's Cena's last match"br Could really sink his teeth into this creativelybr Give us a whole lot to be excited aboutbr br LA Knight could MAKE this retirement angle with his promos alone.br br 🔥 DARK HORSE #2: PENTAbr The "match of the year" candidate.br Why Penta Makes Sense:br br Needs a BIG boost after underwhelming first year in WWEbr Penta vs John Cena = match we never thought we'd seebr Would be INCREDIBLE in-ringbr Resets everything after disappointing debut yearbr Storyline purposes: Honestly? I don't know what it doesbr But the MATCH itself would be spectacularbr br Sometimes you don't need complex story - just give us an amazing match for Cena's sendoff.br br ⭐ DARK HORSE #3: CARMELO HAYES (with a twist)br The "helping multiple stars" option.br Why Carmelo Makes Sense:br br Feels like WWE dropped the ball with himbr But Trick Williams is done with NXT after Last Man Standing with Ricki Starksbr Start a FACTION: Carmelo at the front with Trick Williamsbr Add Lani Jordan (they've been teasing her with Trick)br The Manager: BOOKER Tbr br Why Booker T?br br Big ups guys on commentary, especially goes extra mile for Trickbr Booker had feuds with Cena - easy tie-inbr Now you have a new dominant faction going into 2026br br The Big Picture:br Instead of Cena's retirement helping ONE performer (Gunther), now it helps THREE (Carmelo, Trick, Lani) plus elevates Booker as manager.