The potential absence of John Cena from SummerSlam 2025 could shake the WWE landscape dramatically, especially as Cena nears the end of his career with only 14 appearances left. This development has caused unease among fans since Cena announced on SmackDown that he would withdraw from his scheduled WWE Undisputed Championship rematch against Cody Rhodes due to movie obligations.
Last Friday’s contract signing between Cena and Rhodes for the August 2-3 SummerSlam event in New Jersey ended abruptly when Cena pulled out, startling audiences and setting off a chain reaction of tensions backstage. Rhodes, unfazed by Cena’s exit, escalated the rivalry by turning their match into a street fight, signaling that high stakes and fierce emotions will dominate the upcoming premium live event (PLE).
How Cody Rhodes’ Attitude Could Shift If Cena No-Shows
During the heated contract signing, Cody Rhodes exhibited signs that hinted at a heel turn, including displaying a cold disregard for Cena’s health and donning accessories reminiscent of The Rock’s, such as a gifted watch and similar eyeglasses. If Cena truly skips SummerSlam, Rhodes’ frustrations are expected to explode, targeting WWE executives like Chief Content Officer Triple H and the general managers, Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis.
Rhodes’ anger would not be limited to the backstage powers; he might unleash his wrath on fellow wrestlers, potentially picking fights with lower-card talents such as Akira Tozawa, Otis, or the tag team FraXiom (Nathan Frazer and Axiom) as he storms through the arena corridors. This turn of events could recalibrate the dynamics within WWE locker rooms, heightening unpredictability in storylines.
The Rock’s Possible Reemergence Against Cody Rhodes
Rumors swirling around The Rock’s availability for SummerSlam remain unresolved, with his WWE status uncertain. However, this does not rule out a future clash with Cody Rhodes. The Rock, who physically confronted Rhodes last year at WrestleMania 40 alongside Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman, might return to set up a high-profile singles match against Rhodes in an internationally significant event later in the year.
Potential matches for Rhodes and The Rock could occur at Clash in Paris, Crown Jewel in Australia, or even Survivor Series: WarGames in the United States. Such a bout would give Rhodes a major avenue to channel his frustration over Cena’s SummerSlam absence and seek retribution against The Final Boss.
Implications of Cena Missing SummerSlam: Fines and Suspension Risks
After turning heel on Cody Rhodes, John Cena pledged to “ruin wrestling” if he regained the WWE Undisputed Championship. His tactics have included avoiding direct challenges, launching surprise attacks, and resorting to cheating to maintain his title. Missing SummerSlam would only deepen this dark trajectory, potentially resulting in significant fines or even a suspension.
While monetary penalties might be negligible for Cena, suspension carries more weight given that he has only a limited schedule left before retiring at the end of 2025. Ironically, a suspension might grant him extended rest throughout the remainder of the year, leaving fans and wrestlers alike to speculate about his future title defenses and the timing of his final match in WWE.
Triple H’s Possible Role in Managing the Fallout
The long-standing creative tension between WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H and The Rock might escalate if John Cena skips SummerSlam. Following a confrontation involving Roman Reigns, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins, The Rock urged Triple H to address disrespect toward the Anoa’i family. The two have since exchanged subtle barbs over booking decisions and creative direction.
Should Cena no-show, Triple H could leverage his authority to confront The Rock about his involvement in instigating Cena’s heel turn and question the wisdom behind his intermittent appearances. This confrontation could ignite a renewed feud between two of WWE’s biggest legends, adding another layer of complexity to the fallout from Cena’s absence.
Who Could Step Up If John Cena Misses SummerSlam?
WWE boasts a deep roster of emerging talent and credible main event stars who could replace Cena at SummerSlam 2025 in New Jersey. Cody Rhodes might challenge an ambitious rising star willing to take him on, opening doors for names like Bron Breakker, who is developing his distinct persona in WWE and appears ready for top-tier competition.
Alternatives include Jacob Fatu, who had a brief but intense confrontation with Rhodes during a storyline involving WWE United States Champion Solo Sikoa. Sikoa himself might seize the opportunity to challenge Rhodes, potentially putting his own title on the line as they rekindle their rivalry from last year’s SummerSlam match.
NXT talents such as Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, Ricky Saints, Yoshiki Inamura, or Jasper Troy could also rise to the occasion, seizing the spotlight to establish themselves on a grand stage. Despite Cena having signed the contract on RAW, the legal binding nature of the match remains uncertain, which could further complicate the event’s lineup.
Ultimately, John Cena missing SummerSlam 2025 represents a pivotal moment that threatens to disrupt WWE’s premier summer event and trigger a cascade of storyline shifts. Fans and insiders alike await how these tensions will unfold and what this means for Cena’s legacy and the championship picture as WWE moves toward the end of the year and Cena’s retirement.
