Gunther Needs Security Exiting Arena After Beating John Cena

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gunther needed extra security leaving Capital One Arena after submitting John Cena—video shows the scene.
• Fans trailed him with profane chants as security cleared a path to his bus.
• This crossed a line—here’s why.

OK, this is a bit much.

Gunther needed what is being referred to as additional security as he exited the Capital One Arena following his match against John Cena on Saturday Night’s Main Event in Washington D.C.

Gunther defeated Cena in the latter’s retirement match via submission and the fans in attendance made their feelings on the situation clear. Fadeaway Media posted this video of Gunther getting on the bus that seemingly transported talent from the arena to the airport.

You can see fans crowding the area and hear them yelling obscenities, including “f### you, Gunther” while security escorted the 38-year-old, whose real name is Walter Hahn, onto the bus.

I’ve loved professional wrestling since I was three years old and admire Cena as much as anyone, but this behavior outside the arena is stepping over the line. Any time an athlete needs additional security based on something they’ve done on stage, the field, court or in the ring there is a problem.

What Happened Inside the Arena

The finish itself set the tone. Gunther locked in a sleeper hold and Cena tapped clean. No fluke. No distraction. No interference. Cena went out on his back in the most definitive way possible, and the crowd in Washington D.C. did not take it well.

The boos were immediate and sustained. Profane chants broke out. This wasn’t the typical heel heat that wrestlers work for—this was genuine anger from fans who wanted the fairy tale ending and didn’t get it.

The match was excellent and on a pure wrestling note, it was a fitting finish.

The Real Problem

Gunther didn’t book the finish. He didn’t write the script. He executed what WWE and likely Cena himself wanted for that match. The decision to have Cena tap out was almost certainly Cena’s call—he’s earned that level of creative control. Gunther was the instrument, not the architect.

The hate toward Triple H is also unjustified and further proves why creatives in the wrestling business cannot become enslaved to emotional outcries of fans.

Directing that level of anger at the performer outside the arena misses the point entirely. If fans want to boo inside the building, that’s part of the show. That’s the transaction. But following someone to their bus while screaming obscenities? That’s not fandom. That’s harassment.

Fan participation is part of what makes wrestling unique and fun. However, once the wrestler leaves the arena, he or she is no longer the performer you saw in the ring. They’re a man or woman carrying on with their life. Those boundaries need to be respected.