Ariel Helwani believes the John Cena retirement booking damaged Gunther, and he is not shy about saying so. The MMA analyst and longtime wrestling fan questioned what has become of the former champion after the Cena program, framing it as proof that WWE’s current direction has lost its edge.
“What has become of Gunther? What has become of this guy?” Helwani asked while breaking down the Cena retirement match on the 83 Weeks podcast.
That rhetorical jab anchored a wider critique of WWE under TKO ownership, which Helwani described in blunt terms.
Helwani Calls The WWE Product “Soulless”
Helwani did not hold back on his overall view of the promotion, pointing specifically at this year’s WrestleMania as a low point.
“I find the product right now soulless. I really did not like WrestleMania. WrestleMania really, it upset me, to be honest, because I adore everything about wrestling and I adore the pomp and circumstance that comes with WrestleMania,” Helwani said.
He saved his harshest words for the Cena retirement tour, calling the send-off a misfire and the retirement match a topic he could talk about for half an hour.
“The Cena retirement tour, I didn’t think was good. The Cena retirement match, don’t get me started on that. I could do 30 minutes just on how bad I thought that was. And I feel like I’ve been vindicated when it comes to that one,” Helwani said.
This is not the first time Helwani has gone public with concerns about WWE’s direction. He previously called Stephanie McMahon’s exit a bad sign for the company, and his opinions on the wrestling business carry weight given his profile, something that has put him at odds with figures like Tony Khan in the past.
WrestleMania 40 As The Creative Peak
Helwani pointed to WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia as the moment WWE topped out creatively, naming the Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns main event as the high point everything since has fallen short of.
“If you were to ask me where I kind of felt like there’s nothing left, it was that Philadelphia match. The Philadelphia match felt like the apex, and everything since then has felt a little less than,” Helwani said.
His comments were made on the latest episode of the 83 Weeks podcast.