In July 2013, John Cena famously granted the WWE Universe’s wish and chose perennial underdog Daniel Bryan to be his opponent in the main event of Summerslam. It was a rare babyface vs. babyface bout for the WWE Championship, but Cena vs. Bryan was clearly the match that needed to headline that year’s card… and it was a classic.

Fast forward to 2025, John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes was clearly the match that needed to headline Summerslam, but Cena’s ill-fated heel turn put a stale flavor on the marquee bout. In a last-minute pivot, just two days before Cena and Rhodes‘ title rematch, Cena turned babyface once again… and it saved WWE’s biggest event of the summer.

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A historic moment

Cena’s heel turn at Elimination Chamber was historic — 1996 Bash at the Beach historic — but the ensuing months turned out to be some of the most disappointing of Cena’s career.

Cena‘s heel promos were rooted in the disrespect he’d faced from hardcore wrestling fans for the last two decades. His gripes were certainly not unfounded. “If Cena Wins We Riot” had become a calling card for those who’d attend WWE events just to boo Cena at record-breaking decibel levels. But the 17-time champ’s promos lacked a true, heelish authenticity. Fans ultimately just didn’t believe in Cena’s angst.

Where is Dwayne Johnson?

Rock and Cena could’ve been the evil Mega Powers. The Rock wanted Cody Rhodes’ soul… he got Cena’s instead. But why? Because Cena believed he couldn’t win his 17th title on his own? So he could star in one of Rock’s movies? So he could collab with Travis Scott on “Fein Pt. 2”?

The motivations behind Cena’s alliance with The Rock were never clear, nor were they believable. Plus, The Final Boss’ absence from any and all storylines left Cena floundering as 2025 unfolded.

The failure of Travis Scott

Travis Scott just didn’t understand the business. He proved himself to be an unsafe worker at Elimination Chamber when he burst Cody Rhodes’ eardrum, then he almost singlehandedly ruined the main event of Wrestlemania 41 with a self-indulgent, slow-motion run-in. WWE rightfully cut ties with the rapper, and Drew McIntyre put icing on the cake by calling Scott a “piece of shit.”

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Saving Summerslam

Not every storyline can be Bloodline quality… even the best minds in the business can misjudge the buildup to a major PLE. That being said, Cena’s last-minute return to being a babyface was a brilliant move, because after an underwhelming build, the main event of Summerslam 2025 is now a must-watch event.

WWE’s pivot to a babyface vs. babyface championship match has brought tension, uncertainty and intrigue back into the mix. Since Cena’s win at Wrestlemania, it’s felt like a certainty that he’d hold onto the title until December. Now? Cena losing feels like a real possibility.

Going into Summerslam’s main event, fans will now be wondering if Cena’s face turn was real, or just a ploy. They’ll be wondering if a double-turn may happen, with Rhodes leaving Summerslam as a heel. They’ll now be anticipating an appearance from The Rock, wondering if The Final Boss will take revenge on Cena and do everything in his power to steal the title from John before his retirement. “What’s going to happen?” is now the question on every wrestling fan’s mind.

Thanks to one small pivot, the main event of Summerslam is now brimming with possibilities.

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