The July 18 episode of WWE SmackDown took place at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, setting the stage for the upcoming SummerSlam event. This week’s show focused heavily on the looming clash between Cody Rhodes and John Cena, bringing that intense energy to Texas.
The final segment of SmackDown saw a tense contract signing between Cena and Rhodes. After Cody’s promo, Cena appeared to deliver disappointing news—he revealed he would not be able to compete at SummerSlam due to filming a major Netflix movie and feeling “emotionally exhausted.” Cena explained that while Cody would get his rematch, the match might not happen at SummerSlam specifically, but rather in another location like Paris or Perth. He also conveyed that he couldn’t sign the SummerSlam contract at the moment.
Cody was clearly frustrated, rejecting Cena’s excuses and the claim that this decision was best for business. The crowd voiced their displeasure, and Cena defended his choice, mentioning how difficult it was even for him to appear on the Texas show that night. When Cody challenged Cena to sign the contract, Cena refused, expressing gratitude but holding back from committing. This led to a physical altercation where Cody attacked Cena and dragged him into the ring. Cena fought back and tossed Cody onto the steel stairs.
In a dramatic finish, Cody took possession of the title and delivered a slam to Cena. He then creatively forced Cena to sign the contract by placing a pen in Cena’s hand, climbing the ropes with a binder, hitting his signature splash, and marking the paper with ink—sealing the match officially as a street fight.
SummerSlam is scheduled for August 2nd and 3rd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This will be the first-ever two-night SummerSlam event, promising significant moments and surprises at one of WWE’s biggest annual parties.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming SummerSlam match between John Cena and Cody Rhodes? Do you predict Cena’s title reign will come to an end? Share your opinions in the comments!
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Fan Take: This contract signing segment adds a fresh layer of drama, making the SummerSlam showdown feel even more unpredictable and personal. For WWE fans, it heightens anticipation and emphasizes how storylines can evolve beyond simple matches, potentially setting the stage for one of the most memorable rivalries in recent history.
