WWE officials have reportedly restructured the format and runtime of Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME) in light of John Cena’s final WWE match, giving the event unprecedented flexibility and significance in modern WWE programming.
According to trusted wrestling news sources and insider reports, WWE has removed any strict runtime constraints for the December 13 edition of SNME, meaning the show does not have a fixed end time and could run longer than a typical WWE special. Previously, the legacy SNME broadcasts had set runtimes based on network scheduling, but the latest show—airing exclusively on Peacock in the United States and YouTube internationally—is being treated more like a premium live special than a traditional two-hour television slot.
No Set Runtime—Cena Gets Maximum Time
Wrestling observer Bryan Alvarez has shared backstage insight that Cena’s farewell match vs. GUNTHER currently has no predetermined runtime, allowing Cena and WWE to control the pace without network time caps. The fight is reportedly scheduled to open the show (though plans may still evolve), with expectations that Cena may receive significant airtime given the historic nature of the bout.
This is a rare move for WWE, as most televised cards—especially specials tied to U.S. broadcasters—have strict on-air end times. With SNME now positioned strictly on streaming platforms, WWE has the freedom to expand the event’s runtime to suit its storytelling needs.
Event Context: Cena’s Farewell & Match Order Debate
The Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII show (“John Cena’s Final Match”) features John Cena vs. GUNTHER as the headline retirement bout. GUNTHER earned this opportunity by winning WWE’s “The Last Time Is Now” tournament, culminating at a recent SmackDown episode.
There has been ongoing discussion among wrestling journalists and fans about where Cena’s match will be placed on the card. Early reports indicated the bout might open the show, with Cena receiving as much time as necessary, a decision made possible by the lack of fixed show length. However, more recent updates suggest this is not fully locked in, and Cena’s match may not close the show as a traditional main event—a departure from expectations that a superstar’s final match would serve as the final contest of the evening.
Why the Change Matters
Giving Cena as much time as he needs—and removing traditional runtime limits—represents a major shift in how WWE structures high-profile events:
Greater creative freedom for wrestlers and producers to tell longer, more meaningful matches.
Reduced broadcast pressure from fixed-time television slots.
Special event feel: WWE is effectively treating SNME like a premium live special rather than a standard televised hour-based show.
This change also allows WWE to expand the build and celebration around Cena’s retirement, giving the company latitude for tributes, backstage segments, and extended in-ring storytelling without worrying about cutting away for commercial breaks or airtime constraints.
Event Details
Event: Saturday Night’s Main Event XLII: John Cena’s Final Match
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Time: 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT (streaming)
Location: Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
Broadcast: Peacock (U.S.) & WWE’s YouTube (International)
Main Bout: John Cena vs. GUNTHER (Cena’s last WWE match)
Additional Matches: Cody Rhodes vs. Oba Femi, Bayley vs. Sol Ruca, and AJ Styles & Dragon Lee vs. Je’Von Evans & Leon Slater (and others).
