John Cena is preparing to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes in a highly anticipated Street Fight at SummerSlam 2025. As Cena endures his Farewell Tour, promising to retain the title until his final match in December, an unexpected figure from his past may reappear to disrupt those plans and influence the outcome of this crucial bout.
A Potential Shock Return from a Past Betrayal
While Cena’s Farewell Tour offers fans the chance to witness renewed confrontations with his legendary rivals, it remains challenging to include everyone in a single year. Among those possibly making a surprise comeback is Jon Stewart, who famously betrayed Cena nearly a decade ago. Stewart’s last WWE appearance was at SummerSlam 2016, after having played a pivotal role during a major match at the 2015 SummerSlam event.
In 2015, Stewart acted as the special guest host at SummerSlam, where Cena held the United States Championship and faced Seth Rollins, who was the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, in a Winner Takes All match. The contest ended chaotically when the referee was incapacitated, prompting Stewart to rush into the ring wielding a steel chair. Instead of siding with Rollins, whom Stewart had feuded with previously, he shocked everyone by striking Cena, leading to Rollins’ victory. This infamous moment still resonates within wrestling circles today.
Stewart later explained his motivations, revealing a desire to prevent Cena from equaling Ric Flair’s record of 16 world championships, as Flair was his all-time favorite wrestler. Since Cena has not only matched but surpassed that record, Stewart might find renewed reasons to interfere once more, potentially to the detriment of Cena, who is billed as The Last Real Champion.
How the Storyline Could Unfold at SummerSlam 2025
As Cena approaches retirement, SummerSlam 2025 may serve as an ideal setting for WWE’s Triple H-led creative team to orchestrate a surprise comeback by Jon Stewart. The Street Fight stipulation would allow for unregulated interference, creating fertile ground for Stewart to cause chaos without repercussions. Speculation around a possible double turn at this major pay-per-view has been growing, and Stewart’s return could trigger such a dramatic shift in character alignments.
However, these developments remain conjecture for now, with no official announcements confirming Stewart’s involvement in the event. Fans eagerly await to see if this tease materializes or if plans will lead in a different direction.
Why a Double Turn Could Revitalize Cena vs. Rhodes Rivalry
The renewed rivalry between John Cena and Cody Rhodes has stirred mixed reactions, as their previous encounter at WrestleMania 41 received notable criticism. With the rematch scheduled at SummerSlam 2025, many expect WWE to deliver a significant twist during the match to reinvigorate interest and narrative tension.
Vince Russo, a former WWE writer, recently shared his perspective on the situation, advocating for a double turn to occur during the Street Fight. Russo suggests that a heel turn for Cody Rhodes could freshen the storyline and provide a stronger foundation for both performers moving forward.
“And bro, I’m not even going to say I pray because, quite frankly, I really don’t care what they do, but the reality of the situation is they need to do a double turn. Cody is a freaking heel. Cody has been a heel from day one, and maybe if they turn Cody heel, that will force them to reset everything,” Russo said.
—Vince Russo, Former WWE Writer
Such a reversal, where Cena becomes the fan-favorite face while Rhodes takes on a more villainous role, could heighten the drama at SummerSlam and offer a fresh narrative dynamic. The Street Fight format naturally lends itself to aggressive storytelling and unpredictable interference, aligning with Russo’s vision for a reset in their rivalry.
Anticipation Builds for What Lies Ahead at WWE’s Biggest Summer Event
As the WWE Universe looks forward to SummerSlam 2025, the anticipation surrounding John Cena’s final championship defense continues to intensify. The possible return of Jon Stewart and a double turn between Cena and Rhodes add layers of intrigue and uncertainty to the event’s storytelling. Cena’s Farewell Tour is a critical moment in WWE history, and how these storylines unfold could significantly impact his legacy and the future direction of the product.
Whether or not Stewart reemerges or the creative team opts for the rumored double turn, the event promises to deliver high stakes and emotional moments for fans worldwide. The outcome of this match may well shape the post-Cena era in WWE, influencing rivalries and character directions for months to come.
