There are, as one might expect, a very many significant names still competing within the Last Time is Now tournament, including the likes of Jey Uso and Penta. But of them all, there is one that speaks out as a dream option for Cena’s retirement match. 

Gunther has well and truly inherited the monster mantle that has been held by the likes of Undertaker, Brock Lesnar, and Bruiser Brody before him, a man who turns every match he wrestles into a sports-slasher movie, an exhibition of violence and technicality in kind. That’s reflected both in his overall win-loss percentage since stepping foot into the UK branch of the company, dominating as United Kingdom Champion for 870 days, before adding reigns with the Intercontinental and World Heavyweight Championship on two occasions at 666 days, 259 days, and 54 days respectively. Only Ilja Dragunov, Bron Breakker, Sami Zayn, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and CM Punk have managed to defeat Gunther in his entire WWE career, and that would automatically rank him among the favorites to go on and win the tournament. 

Ergo, he would be the statistical favorite to be the last man to face Cena, and it would take a fool to bet against him winning that match when all is said and done as well. So if that is the direction already, would it really hurt to have Gunther do all that and capture the Intercontinental Championship for the second time? Many would say that he brought legitimacy and prestige to the title when he reigned as champion, and it would be a fresh direction for the “Ring General” having lost, won, and lost again the World Heavyweight Championship throughout this year. And what a scalp that would be for what should be the top heel in the company, retiring and dethroning Cena in his last match to become Intercontinental Champion.