Cody Rhodes initiated his second WWE Championship reign by defeating John Cena at SummerSlam, marking a decisive moment in his career. This victory ended Cena’s 17th title run and marked a significant shift in WWE’s championship landscape.
In 2022, Roman Reigns became the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion by beating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38, in a match that put both Reigns’ Universal Championship and Lesnar’s WWE Championship on the line. However, WWE later introduced a new World Heavyweight Championship for Monday Night RAW, as Reigns opted to remain mainly on SmackDown, leaving RAW without a top champion.
Seth Rollins was named the first-ever World Heavyweight Champion in May 2023, but WWE continued to refer to Roman Reigns as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. After Cody Rhodes defeated Reigns, Rhodes was recognized simply as the Undisputed WWE Champion, signifying a change in how the top title was presented.
Shift in Title Designation as Rhodes Takes Center Stage
Following Rhodes’ victory over John Cena at SummerSlam Night 2, WWE’s official website listed him as the WWE Champion, dropping the “Undisputed” label previously linked to the top championship. This reflected the evolving title hierarchy in WWE after the creation of the World Heavyweight Championship.
The Rhodes versus Cena rematch surpassed initial expectations despite some early skepticism from fans, largely due to their underwhelming encounter at WrestleMania 41. A storyline pivot occurred two nights before SummerSlam when Cena’s character turned babyface, adding fresh intrigue to the contest.
Ultimately, Rhodes and Cena delivered an acclaimed match that became an instant classic, with Rhodes emerging victorious and marking a new chapter by ending Cena’s long-standing title reign. Cena is not expected to challenge for the championship again as he plans to retire in December.
Future Prospects Following SummerSlam’s Dramatic Finish
Immediately following this high-stakes main event, Brock Lesnar made a surprising return during the SummerSlam event in New Jersey, exciting WWE fans worldwide. Lesnar’s comeback came two years after his last appearance at SummerSlam, setting the stage for fresh rivalries and storylines.
The developments signal a period of transition for WWE’s world titles, placing Cody Rhodes at the forefront as the new WWE Champion while the “Undisputed” title terminology has been set aside. This shift not only redefines championship status but also impacts upcoming narratives on both Monday Night RAW and SmackDown programs.
