At Summerslam 2025, Cody Rhodes captured his second WWE Championship title by defeating John Cena in what were the night’s two headline matches. For Rhodes, this victory was more than just reclaiming the title; it was a chance to give Cena a memorable final Summerslam bout.
As Cena’s career approaches its twilight, many of his “last” moments have already taken place. Speaking with ESPN about the significant WWE-ESPN partnership, Rhodes reflected on his Summerslam experience.
“When I step into a stadium show, I sometimes get to capture the full atmosphere,” Rhodes said. “But this was a rare occasion when I truly felt all of it.”
Across two nights, Summerslam drew an audience of 114,000 fans to the stadium. For Rhodes, this represented both a career-defining moment and a symbolic passing of the torch to a new generation.
“John Cena’s final Summerslam… having that moment with him in that stadium is something I’ll never forget,” Rhodes added. “It was an unforgettable match filled with incredible moments, just as the commentary highlighted.”
Even in the later stage of his career, Cena’s performance impressed the new WWE champion. While Rhodes walks away with the victory and the title, Cena’s performance, often referred to as “Invisible Seventeen,” was nothing to be ashamed of, despite the fact that Cena was left incapacitated by the returning Brock Lesnar.
“To see John perform at the level he did, only this far into his career, and truly leave his mark—it was inspiring,” Rhodes remarked.
Summerslam 2025 also broke attendance records for WWE’s first two-night event, marking a huge milestone. For John Cena, it symbolized the closing chapter of an era with what has often been called “the biggest party of the summer.”
Fan Take: This momentous Summerslam not only celebrates the reign of a new champion in Cody Rhodes but also honors John Cena’s legendary journey in WWE, making it a historic event for fans. It signals an exciting shift for the sport with fresh stars rising while paying tribute to its iconic past.
