Epic Showdown: John Cena Takes on Cody Rhodes at WWE Summerslam 2025!

In an unprecedented two-night SummerSlam main event, WWE Champion John Cena claimed victory over Cody Rhodes in their much-anticipated rematch from WrestleMania 41. This rivalry has taken an intriguing turn, with Cena turning heel for the first time in his career to confront Rhodes, which began back at WWE’s biggest event of the year.

The narrative has evolved since Cena’s controversial turn last March, which saw him disengage from the Hollywood star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. After winning a chamber match against CM Punk, Cena’s momentum continued, but his storyline with Rock stalled, complicating his pursuit of a record-breaking 17th World Championship.

Despite these challenges, Cena’s rivalry with Rhodes intensified. Ahead of WrestleMania, Cena openly stated his indifference towards the crowd, hinting at a darker persona while making it clear that his primary goal was to retire as the undisputed WWE Champion and seal the championship’s legacy, while Rhodes branded himself as the “QB1” of WWE.

The WrestleMania 41 Night 2 main event featured Cena and Rhodes square off once more in Las Vegas. Cena initially showcased a ruthless side, surprising fans with a brutal onslaught. Although Rhodes fought back valiantly with a series of moves, including Cody Cutters and Crossroads, Cena’s underhanded tactics took the upper hand with the referee sidelined.

Despite rumors of The Rock’s return, it was Travis Scott who appeared to assist Cena, altering the match’s dynamics. After some chaotic moments, including interference with the referee, Cena managed to secure a low blow and another victory, capturing his record-setting 17th title.

Following WrestleMania 40, Rhodes took some time off but quickly returned to action to confront Cena.

After moving on from his feud with Orton, Cena found himself embroiled in a storyline with R-Truth. This tension peaked when Truth disrupted a match, resulting in Cena delivering a powerful AA through a table. Meanwhile, Rhodes made a surprise return during a special NBC event to aid his former tag team partner, Jay Uso, against Cena and Logan Paul.

In a tag team match, Rhodes and Uso outmatched Cena and Paul, but their rivalry was far from over, as Cena and Rhodes were set to cross paths again in the King of the Ring Tournament.

Following his success at Money in the Bank, Rhodes aimed to challenge Cena for the WWE Championship. He entered the King of the Ring Tournament and fought through several matches, securing a chance to face Cena at SummerSlam after defeating notable opponents like Damien Priest and Jay Uso.

In the finals against Randy Orton, Rhodes delivered a fierce performance, culminating in his victory and crowning him as King of the Ring 2025. While Rhodes celebrated this achievement, Cena was set for another title defense against CM Punk, leading to weeks of tension between the two.

Following Cena’s victory over Punk, he was notably absent from episodes of “Raw” and “SmackDown.” However, during a July 18 “SmackDown” episode, Cena and Rhodes met for a contract signing for their upcoming street fight at SummerSlam. What started as a contractual agreement turned chaotic as Rhodes took control, ultimately forcing Cena to sign under duress.

Just weeks after Rhodes manipulated Cena’s signature for their street fight contract, Cena addressed the audience on “SmackDown” before SummerSlam. Although interrupted by Rhodes during his speech, Cena expressed remorse for his prior actions, setting the stage for an emotional face turn.

Many fans speculated a double turn might occur at SummerSlam, but Cena made a surprising return to his babyface persona. He acknowledged Rhodes for pushing him to grow, stating that their street fight would reveal his true character. As their rivalry intensified, Cena celebrated the moment with fans, leaving the wrestling community eager to see how this storyline will unfold.