in WWEwhen scripted rivals often blur the line between reality and performance, the bond between two iconic figures, John Cena and Randy Orton, remains a fascinating mystery. Beyond the arena’s roars and dazzling light, these Titans share a connection that negates the very stories they have woven for the world. Imagine the story of an enemy sworn on screen being an inseparable ally behind the curtains. Peeling off the layers delves into unexpected friendships that promote the dynamics between the alliance and rivalry that engraves innate marks on the professional wrestling canvas.
John Cena | Randy Orton |
|---|---|
17 WWE World Champions | 14th WWE World Champion |
Winners of two Royal Rumble Matches | Winners of two Royal Rumble Matches |
Multiple singles and tag titles | Multiple singles and tag titles |
6 times WrestleMania headliner | 2 times WrestleMania Headliner |
John Cena and Randy Orton as Pillars of WWE
Randy Orton was John Cena’s babyface heel
- John Cena and Randy Orton started at OVW.
- Randy Orton and John Cena are good friends outside the ring.
- Cena vs. Orton is one of WWE’s biggest rivalries.
WWE’s two Titans, John Cena and Randy Orton, share a unique dynamic that transcends the scripted rivalry depicted in the ring. Their journey began together in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where they trained side by side and formed friendships that denied the fierce rivalry they later portrayed on television. Despite the countless one-on-one battles that defined the WWE era, behind the scenes they were the best friends. This is an example that is rarely seen in the world of professional wrestling.
Their on-screen chemistry left an indelible mark in WWE history, as Orton embodies a heel of contempt against Cena’s iconic babyface character. For ten years, their feuds and alliances shaped the story of the wrestling landscape.
Randy Orton has a lot of respect for John Cena
Randy Orton hopes John Cena will induct him in the WWE Hall of Fame
- John Cena taught Randy Orton how to listen to the crowd.
- Randy Orton praised John Cena on social media 20 years later for wrestling.
- The funny picture shows Randy Orton kissing a John Cena poster.
Randy Orton, known for his stoic attitude in the ring, has shed light on his deep respect and admiration for longtime friend and enemy John Senna on several occasions. In an obvious interview on WWE’s official YouTube channel, Orton revealed the complexities of on-screen relationships. During their passionate rivalry, Orton has admitted to knowingly avoiding public praise for Cena. He said:
In an episode of the Corey Graves podcast, after Bell, Orton delves deep into Cena’s in-ring prowess. He spoke about Cena’s ability to connect with the audience, highlighting that Cena’s response to crowd reactions played a pivotal role in shaping her status as a legendary performer. Cena taught him how to master the art of listening to crowds. Even on Social MediaOrton was not embarrassed to show his love for Cena. In a post celebrating Cena’s amazing career milestones over 20 years, Orton not only congratulated her colleagues, but also expressed her personal appreciation for having Cena as a friend. Adding a touch of humor to their relationship, Orton once posted playful images on social media. The photo was featured Orton kisses John Cena’s cutoutaccompanied by a caption that expresses how much he missed his friend.
In another interview with Adam on Apple, Orton openly stated that when it came time for him to become the WWE Hall of Fame, he wanted to give honors other than John Cena. He said:
John Cena praises Randy Orton for his commitment to WWE
John Cena mentioned Randy Orton’s WWE comeback in the Survivor series
- John Cena had a heartfelt message for Randy Orton for 20 years at WWE.
- A back injury left Randy Orton locked out of WWE for months until Survivor Series 2023.
- Randy Orton’s wife Kim said Orton wanted John Cena in his Hall of Fame.
At Thanksgiving in 2023, Cena traveled nostalgically through Memory Lane, Reposting old videos from the OVW era When they were just beginning their wrestling journey. Cena expressed her gratitude to Orton, not only as a colleague but also as a dear friend. By sincerely acknowledging Orton’s incredible 20-year career milestone, Cena posted a heartfelt message congratulating her longtime friends. Read:
Cena’s praise for Orton goes beyond the milestone celebration. When Orton recovered from his injury, he won WWE in Survivor Series 2023, Cena publicly admitted He praised Orton for his commitment to crafting. One of the most moving revelations about their friendship came from an episode of a podcast featuring Kim, Randy Orton’s wife. According to Kim, Cena not only agreed to Orton’s request to be present in his Hall of Fame, but also conveyed emotional feelings. She said about the wrestling podcast wife:
This sincere commitment emphasizes the depth of their friendship and transcends the boundaries of professional duties.
Randy Orton wants to wrestling with John Cena on his retirement tour
The respect between John Cena and Randy Orton passes through the roof
- John Cena took part in a retirement tour in 2025.
- Randy Orton said he would like to play John Cena in the end.
- Orton also hopes that Cena will induct him into the Hall of Fame.
Randy Orton’s longevity is amazing, competing at high levels for over 20 years, maintaining his popularity and being recognized as one of the most beloved stars in pro wrestling today. But at some point, whether it’s a one, two, five or ten years, Orton hangs his boots and closes the book with his in-ring wrestling career. For John Cena, he is now making it clear to the world that he will begin his retirement tour in 2025. This means that the window of the last match in the pair is short. Orton spoke to the Daily Mail and said he wanted to be part of Cena’s farewell, but that’s up to the creative team.
Orton recently spoke with Cody Rhodes about “What do you want to talk about?” He was then asked about who he wanted to make him into the Hall of Fame. Usually, this role goes to someone very close to the heart. It’s no surprise that Orton said Senna’s name was someone he wanted to seduce him.
John Cena and Randy Orton can fight for a world title
John Cena is looking to World Championship No. 17
- Randy Orton and John Cena have not opposed each other for many years.
- In 2025 we were able to see the final world title match between Orton and Cena.
- The World Championship match will be a poetic conclusion of their rivalry.
John Cena, facing Randy Orton, is a draw in itself and fans will enjoy the nostalgia of watching them wrestling in the end. However, there is something special and noteworthy about watching them fight either in the WWE Championship or in the World Heavyweight Championship. Cena and Orton formed a rivalry by fighting for their biggest awards in WWE. After a short period at the Royal Rumble in 2025, China saw the exclusion room and WrestleMania 41 and won the WWE Championship for the last time.
World titles between Randy Orton and John Cena match | event | Match length | Additional notes |
|---|---|---|---|
John Cena (c) defeated Randy Orton, Edge and Shawn Michaels | Backlash 2007 | 18:55 | Four deadly ways |
John Cena (c) defeated Randy Orton, Bobby Lashley and Booker T & Mick Foley | Vengeance 2007 | 10:10 | Five deadly ways |
John Cena (c) defeated Randy Orton | Summerslam 2007 | 21:18 | |
Randy Orton defeated John Cena (c) in DQ | Relentless 2007 | 7:33 | |
John Cena defeated Randy Orton (c) in DQ | There’s no way in 2008 | 15:56 | |
Randy Orton (c) defeated John Cena and Triple H | WrestleMania 24 | 14:06 | The Threat of Mie |
Triple H defeated Randy Orton (C), John Cena & JBL | Backlash 2008 | 28:12 | Four Fatal Ways Elimination |
Randy Orton defeated John Cena, Big Show and Triple J | WWE RAW 06/15/2009 | 11:15 | Four deadly ways |
Randy Orton (c) defeated Triple H & John Cena | Night of Champions 2009 | 22:50 | The Threat of Mie |
Randy Orton (c) defeated John Cena | Summerslam 2009 | 20:45 | |
John Cena defeated Randy Orton (c). | Limit point 2009 | 19:48 | ‘I quit’ |
Randy Orton defeated John Cena (c). | Hell’s Cell 2009 | 21:24 | Cell’s Hell |
John Cena defeated Randy Orton (c). | Bragging rights 2009 | 60:00 | Iron Man |
John Cena defeated Randy Orton, Sheamus (C), Ted Diviaze, Kofi Kingston and Triple H. | Elimination Chamber 2010 | 30:25 | Removal chamber |
Sheamus defeated John Cena (C), Randy Orton and Edge | Fatal 4-way 2010 | 17:27 | Four deadly ways |
Randy Orton defeated Sheamus (C), John Cena, Wade Barrett, Edge and Chris Jericho | Night of Champion 2010 | 21:27 | Removal of 6 packs |
Randy Orton (c) defeated John Cena (c). | TLC 2013 | 24:35 | TLC unified |
Randy Orton (c) defeated John Cena | Royal Rumble 2014 | 20:54 | |
Randy Orton (c) defeated John Cena, Cesaro, Daniel Brian, Sheamus and Christian | Elimination Chamber 2014 | 37:33 | Removal chamber |
John Cena defeated Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio, Sheamus, Bray Wyatt, Roma Raines, Cesaro and Kane | Bank 2014 Money | 26:30 | ladder |
John Cena (c) defeated Kane, Rome ruler, Randy Orton. | Battleground 2014 | 18:16 | Four deadly ways |
After Cena’s victory at WrestleMania, Orton was at the top of the list for a potential challenger for many fans. Given their history, WWE could have booked Orton vs. Cena without a build, but many of the storylines, especially about how many of the storylines catch up with China’s glorious world title records, can add so many titles to the story and make the match even more. Cena is well beyond his prime, but the reaction to him, who could win the Royal Rumble in 2025, is so great that the audience would suggest that Cena is welcoming the possibility that he has won the title again, and his response to his heeled turn as a WWE champion and his first promotion was pretty high, so the audience was happy to see him and Orton too.
Randy Orton & John Cena will bring together WWE legacy in 2025
Orton and Cena have an iconic rivalry
- They are great rivals in the ring and friends outside of them
- 2025 features the final matches of all time
- Fans respect both men and their rivalry
In 2007, Randy Orton and John Cena fought for the first time in PPV, fighting the WWE Championship. This began what would become one of the greatest rivals of any human career, and then they were able to form friendships outside the ring as well. When you work with someone frequently, you form close bonds and feel serious disgust, and for Cena and Orton it was the former. As for their single rivalry, it was very common in WWE programming, especially in 2009, to the point where I’m tired of seeing them wrestling all the time, especially when they wrestled in a few PPVs in a row. Regardless of past negative fan sentiment, 2025 is another story, with Cena and Orton being given the opportunity to wrestletter in the end…and the audience loves it.
Prior to Orton’s Backlash 2025, home to Orton’s hometown of St. Louis, Missouri, Orton will take on John Cena for his new victory for the WWE Championship. This takes place on Cena’s retirement tour where many “The Last Time Evers” see, and his match with Orton will be one of them. They each keep their love and respect for each other unsecret, and after years since their final match, this will be a very special night for both men. This will also be your first timer. This makes their rivalry interesting as Babyface/Heel Dynamic sees Cena as the bad guy and Orton’s Good Guy, as it marks the first match between Cena and Orton. Over the next few years, we’ll hear more about the final match and friendship from Cena and Orton, but on Cena’s heel turn, Curtain will be lifted beyond real life friendship until he eventually retires.
