At WWE SummerSlam, Cody Rhodes delivered an unforgettable performance against John Cena in what was Cena’s final SummerSlam match. The event, held recently, featured the WWE World Heavyweight Championship on the line in a highly anticipated Street Fight between the two stars.
John Cena, a 17-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, faced off with the King of the Ring, Cody Rhodes, in a rematch from their WrestleMania 41 encounter. Unlike their earlier bout where Cena used underhanded tactics aided by Travis Scott, this match began with mutual respect, highlighted by a pre-fight embrace on SmackDown after Cena abandoned his heel persona two days before SummerSlam.
Thrilling Match Highlights and Climactic Finish
The match extended over 38 minutes, showcasing intense back-and-forth action where both Rhodes and Cena kicked out of numerous finishing moves. The bout featured the use of weapons, broken tables, and relentless physicality. The climax arrived when Rhodes executed the Cody Cutter through a table, followed by his signature Cross Rhodes, securing the pinfall victory and making him a two-time WWE Champion.
After the hard-fought victory, Rhodes and Cena embraced again, with Rhodes visibly emotional as his longtime wrestling idol spoke to him amidst roaring fan approval. This moment underscored the significance of their match within the WWE legacy.
Widespread Acclaim and Historic Ratings
Critics and commentators alike lavished praise on the Rhodes-Cena encounter, with WWE commentators Michael Cole and Wade Barrett comparing it to some of Cena’s finest career performances. Notably, the match earned a prestigious five-star rating from renowned wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, a recognition that further cements its status as a modern classic.
This rating marked only the second time in Cena’s two-decade-plus career that Meltzer awarded him a five-star match or higher. His other five-star match was at Money in the Bank 2011 against CM Punk, which Cena lost. For Cody Rhodes, Meltzer’s five-star acknowledgments include his AEW Double or Nothing 2019 bout with Dustin Rhodes, the January 2022 AEW Dynamite match against Sammy Guevara, the impactful Hell in a Cell 2022 match versus Seth Rollins despite competing with a torn pectoral muscle, and the recent Backlash France 2024 match against AJ Styles.
Ranking of WWE SummerSlam Matches by Dave Meltzer
The two-night WWE SummerSlam event featured twelve scheduled matches, with an additional thirteenth match involving Seth Rollins cashing in Money in the Bank on CM Punk. Among these, the Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena match stood out as the highest rated. Below are the twelve matches ranked from best to least according to Meltzer’s ratings:
- 1. Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena – 5 stars
- 2. Six-tag team TLC match – 4.75 stars
- 3. CM Punk vs. Gunther – 4.5 stars
- 4. Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley vs. IYO SKY – 4 stars
- 5. Roman Reigns & Jey Uso vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed – 4 stars
- 6. Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre vs. Jelly Roll & Randy Orton – 3.75 stars
- 7. Becky Lynch vs. Lyra Valkyria – 3.75 stars
- 8. Alexa Bliss & Charlotte Flair vs. Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez – 3 stars
- 9. Dominik Mysterio vs. AJ Styles – 2.75 stars
- 10. Tiffany Stratton vs. Jade Cargill – 2 stars
- 11. Solo Sikoa vs. Jacob Fatu (Steel Cage) – 2 stars
- 12. Sami Zayn vs. Karrion Kross – 1.5 stars
Emotional Resonance and Future Implications
The Cody Rhodes John Cena match deeply resonated with fans, not only for its athletic excellence but also for its emotional storytelling, as demonstrated by the powerful moments of respect between the two competitors. Rhodes’ victory signals his rising prominence in WWE, marking him as a key figure moving forward and a worthy champion.
For Cena, concluding his final SummerSlam with such an acclaimed performance reaffirms his legacy as one of the all-time greats in wrestling history. This match will likely remain a benchmark for quality and intensity in WWE’s future main events, inspiring wrestlers and captivating audiences alike for years to come.
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The match was, without a doubt, a legendary performance from two of WWE’s best, and it reminded everyone why John Cena has been such a vital part of this company for more than two decades.” —Michael Cole, WWE Commentator
“This stood up with the very best matches of John Cena’s career, and Cody Rhodes showed why he’s one of the top talents in wrestling today.”
—Wade Barrett, WWE Commentator
