Top three reasons why John Cena will likely lose to Cody Rhodes at WWE SummerSlam 2025

The two stars will battle in a rematch this weekend at MetLife Stadium!

‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes emerged victorious in the King of the Ring tournament finals against Randy Orton to bag the #1 Contender spot for the Undisputed WWE title. Rhodes is now set to battle John Cena for the Undisputed title in a rematch at the 2025 edition of SummerSlam.

While Rhodes was determined to sign the contract, Cena was looking to evade, citing being overworked and not defending the title. However, Rhodes didn’t take no for an answer and flatlined Cena, forcing him to sign the contract.

After forcing Cena to sign the contract for SummerSlam, Cody also announced that the title rematch from WrestleMania 41 will now be contested in a street fight. Let us now take a look at the top three reasons why Cena will likely lose at ‘the biggest party of the summer’ against Rhodes.

3. Passing the torch

The 17-time WWE World Champion is set to hang up his wrestling boots at the end of 2025, and despite his desire to take the title with him and ‘ruin wrestling for fans’, Cody is likely going to win to make sure new storylines for him with the title are in place ahead of next year.

A “passing of the torch” moment is deeply symbolic in sports, and WWE has a chance to create a similar moment with John Cena. Once the face of the company, Cena could pass that legacy to Cody Rhodes, the current standard-bearer and fan-favorite who gives his all and carries himself with honor.

Also Read: Cody Rhodes vs John Cena: Head-to-head record in WWE

2. A face turn

John Cena has been teasing a heel turn, and fans have been anticipating a shift in character for the 17-time World Champion. Many still refuse to boo him out of respect for his legendary contributions. Cena officially turned heel for the first time in his illustrious career at Elimination Chamber 2025, but now it seems he may be turning face once again.

Cena has continued to give teases of the turn in his recent appearances and matches, famously refusing to attack CM Punk with the World title, despite having a clean shot. Fans’ wishes might come true at SummerSlam if Cena turns face again to conclude his iconic career.

1. Cody Rhodes might flip the script

Over the past few weeks, WWE has subtly planted seeds of a potential heel turn for Rhodes. The most telling sign was his own words on the July 18 episode of SmackDown. Cody Rhodes claimed he “won’t flinch this time,” signaling that he’s done playing fair.

Cody hitting Cena with the title, something which he hesitated to do in their earlier meeting, combined with his willingness to cross lines usually reserved for villains, only strengthened this narrative.

These weren’t the actions of a man driven by honor; they were the actions of someone desperate to reclaim his place at the top, no matter the cost. Fans might witness a double turn in the main event of the PLE and whatever the outcome is, one thing is confirmed that fans are in for an amazing show.

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