John Cena may have hung up his wrestling shoes, his iconic “Never Give Up” wristband, and concluded his lengthy career in the “Saturday Night Main Event” ring, but he remains a prominent figure. Shortly after his retirement match against Gunther, Cena joined recent rival Cody Rhodes on the podcast “What do you want to talk about?” where they discussed the exciting storyline behind their WWE Universal Championship SummerSlam bout.
Rhodes recounted how Cena invited him to a stunning Manhattan skyscraper overlooking Central Park, a setting unlike anything he had seen before. “We just decided to grab some cigars and hamburgers,” Rhodes said.
Many would expect such a high-profile SummerSlam match to be meticulously planned in writers’ rooms or during intense ring sessions. Surprisingly, Rhodes revealed that their match was shaped over a couple of cigars, some drinks, and the breathtaking view of New York’s skyline.
Rhodes explained that the storyline and match details were laid out so clearly that just from that one conversation, he knew exactly what to do in the ring the following day.
He praised the relaxed vibe of the SummerSlam planning meetings and was thrilled by how effortlessly socializing blended with creative match planning. Rhodes described the experience as “amazing” and fondly mentioned receiving beautiful photos from the encounter, although he hadn’t shared them yet.
The Cena-Rhodes meet-and-greet, especially after Cena’s surprising heel turn, was a bold experiment in the ring, as discussed in their chat about the ups and downs of Cena’s retirement tour. While some fans criticized his brief stint as a heel, the SummerSlam match between Cena and Rhodes earned positive reviews, scoring an 8.63/10 in cage match ratings from 655 voters.
Fan Take: This insight into Cena and Rhodes’ collaborative process highlights the genuine passion and creativity that goes into crafting memorable WWE moments. For fans, it shows that even informal, personal connections can lead to standout matches, keeping the sport vibrant and unpredictable.
