John Cena has apparently seen the error of his ways.
The WWE Champion came down to the ring to start off the show but was immediately cut off by his SummerSlam opponent Cody Rhodes. Cena did most of the talking in the promo, stunning everyone by saying that after he had been attacked on SmackDown, he only had one thing to say to Rhodes: “Thank you.”
He explained that the attack was the “kick in the a**”” he needed. For 25 years he had forged a legacy of respect and hard work and flushed it down the toilet all for shock television. He said that his team ended up leaving him in the aftermath, referring to The Rock and Travis Scott. He didn’t want to take the WWE title home after his final match to ruin wrestling, but just wanted to be remembered.
Cena told Rhodes that by attacking him, he realized that he was about to enter a fight at SummerSlam and declared that August 1, 2025, was the day came back to WWE. He didn’t know who will leave with the WWE title on Sunday but each and every person in the crowd will win because he’s finally over his own BS and Rhodes will be facing someone at his best. He ended by saying the only platinum selling artist at SummerSlam on Sunday will be him, and finished with his trademark catchphrase “the champ is here.”
Rhodes responded by giving Cena a beer, simply telling him “welcome back,” before toasting and leaving the ring. Cena shook hands with fans to end the segment.
Cena turned against Rhodes back at Elimination Chamber, siding with The Rock and Travis Scott. The two faced off at WrestleMania, with Cena winning after Rhodes flinched as he faced the dilemma of using the WWE title to strike Cena. After winning King of the Ring, it was confirmed Rhodes would be challenging Cena for the WWE title at SummerSlam, with Rhodes later adding the stipulation of it being a street fight.