Nobody expected what just happened on Friday Night SmackDown. The WWE universe was waiting for the big announcement: the contract signing between John Cena and Cody Rhodes. But it all ended in a mess.
The developments at San Antonio, Texas, divided the opinions of WWE enthusiasts. Whether or not Cena retains his title at SummerSlam 2025, the pivotal turn in the storyline has established the fact that Cena’s vow to ruin wrestling is right on the agenda for the creative heads of the company.
Cody Rhodes Is Closer to Turning Heel Than Ever Before
The mood was different during the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The central point of the blue roster today was the high-stakes contract signing, which would’ve sealed the match between John Cena and Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam. Everything was going around expected lines until Cena came and dropped a bombshell.
The 17-time world champion argued that the faceoff between him and Rhodes is not possible, given the mental and physical exhaustion he is currently facing. He cited a movie shooting for Netflix as the reason behind his unavailability to compete at SummerSlam.
Frustrated at the loss of the promised opportunity, he earned by becoming the King of the Ring. Cody Rhodes decided at that moment that he had heard enough from Cena and decided to take matters into his own hands.
Consequently, Rhodes bid farewell to his virtuous side and attacked Cena from behind while he was leaving the arena. After a brief exchange of jabs, John Cena came up with the title belt to attack in his familiar style ever since he turned heel, but the American Nightmare was quick to escape and attacked Cena with the Championship belt, which eventually got tossed into his hands by Cena.
The moment was consequential in the sense that during his second WWE run, the former WWE Champion had hardly ever used unfair means to attack a rival, which he did at this point.
This shocking turn of events sent waves through the WWE Universe, leaving fans stunned at Rhodes’ decision to abandon his long-standing moral code. Known for his pride in being a symbol of honor and legacy, Rhodes’ actions marked a definitive shift in his character, signaling a darker, more aggressive approach moving forward.
The attack was not just a physical statement; it was symbolic of the internal transformation Rhodes was undergoing. Many speculated whether frustration over being sidelined or overshadowed played a role in his sudden shift. To make matters worse, Cody Rhodes will have every opportunity to get his hands on the 17-time World Champion as the match between them at SummerSlam will be a street fight.
Thus, Rhodes has established the fact that virtue will be on the back seat during his clash against Cena at the PLE event. How he forced signatures of Cena on the contract after a splash through the table on the veteran wrestler displayed the kind of hunger he has for the silverware and the extent to which he can drop down to win the clash against Cena.
With the attack on Cena, Rhodes is now closer to turning heel than ever before. Given how he unleashed an assault on Cena at SmackDown, the chances are that The Rock has somehow gotten into the brain of the American Nightmare, with the final boss more likely to get what he wanted from Rhodes all along.
How the Loss of Virtue Between Cena and Rhodes Will Ruin Wrestling
In recent times, the WWE universe has revisited the moment when John Cena turned heel at Elimination Chamber and sold his soul to The Rock. The moment was crucial given the fact that one of the greatest superstars in professional wrestling turned against the people who made him the face of the company for more than a decade.
The build-up to that moment was equally important. Cena was never the first choice of the final boss, who is now a board member of the TKO group, the owners of the WWE. He had first offered Cody Rhodes to become his champion and assured the American Nightmare that it would open unimaginable doors of possibility for him.
At that moment, Rhodes listened to his inner conscience and paid heed to the numerous voices of WWE fans who told him not to accept the offer of The Rock. That is how Cena was chosen; the entire facade of Cena vowing to retire as the last real champion of the WWE started. Fans have time and again questioned time and again whether his resolve to ruin wrestling was his intentions or the desires of The Rock, manifested inside the ring by Cena.
In any case, Cody’s denial of The Rock paved the way for Cena, and he subsequently became the WWE Champion for the 17th time at WrestleMania 41.
Months later, the WWE universe has gone back to square one. Cena and Rhodes are still poised against each other. But the vibe around this clash feels completely different now that Rhodes has attacked Cena with intent and ferocity never seen before from the former WWE Champion.
Now that the face-off between Cena and Rhodes is official. More questions loom in the minds of the WWE fans: Was this attack from Cody Rhodes more symbolic rather than frustration from the American Nightmare? Will the clash between Rhodes and Cena mark the ultimate victory for The Rock? Only time will tell.
What are your thoughts on the latest development that occurred during Friday Night SmackDown? Do share with us in the comments down below.
