Speculation has grown about whether John Cena could lose his Undisputed WWE Championship to a veteran competitor at the Night of Champions Premium Live Event, fueling the focus keyword: John Cena to lose Undisputed WWE Championship to legend. Wrestling analyst Peter Rosenberg has highlighted the possibility that a 53-year-old icon could deliver an unexpected upset for the title on a night set for major stakes.
After claiming victory over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, Cena successfully defended his title against Randy Orton at Backlash. The recent announcement on Monday Night RAW has unveiled an anticipated showdown between John Cena and CM Punk for the championship at Night of Champions, promising a final confrontation between two of WWE’s most celebrated figures. As the wrestling world anticipates this matchup, discussions around potential challengers have intensified, with veteran names gaining attention among fans and insiders.
Analyst suggests R-Truth could make history as a surprise champion
On the Cheap Heat podcast, Peter Rosenberg brought attention to the possibility of R-Truth (Ron Killings) rising as an unlikely world champion, despite his age. Rosenberg referenced recent television data, noting that a RAW segment featuring the 53-year-old legend had higher viewership than the appearances of John Cena and CM Punk, which has raised questions about who might be in line to challenge “The Franchise Player.”
“I would love to see Ron Killings get a world championship. I know I have talked about that. It would work. R-Truth getting a run with the title, even at this age, would work. It would be awesome, and I see a bunch of people now saying that now that we are seeing how organic this is, now that we are seeing the stats, which are saying his segment got more views than [John] Cena and [CM] Punk. ‘Yo, maybe he is the guy to dethrone John Cena.’ I am not saying he is, but I am not saying he is not.”
—Peter Rosenberg, Analyst
These comments have added to the growing speculation surrounding the Night of Champions, as WWE’s creative decisions and audience engagement metrics continue to influence predictions about future titleholders. The possibility of R-Truth dethroning Cena resonates with long-time fans and newer viewers alike, who recall the veteran’s previous championship pursuits and unique charisma in the ring.
Past encounters and perspectives on Cena’s final WWE run
Elias, now appearing in TNA under the name Elijah, has recently spoken about John Cena’s run as a heel during his Farewell Tour, addressing the transformation during an interview with MuscleManMalcolm. Reflecting on Cena’s shifting persona and rivalry history, Elias provided his candid view of “The Cenation Leader’s” evolving role.
“I’ve been exposing him for years. Everybody hated me for it. All of a sudden, it all makes sense. You know what I mean? Yeah, of course, the WrestleMania [35] moment, that was fantastic, and now John [Cena] all of a sudden, right, for whatever reason, he hates everybody, and it was a big scam.”
—Elias, Former WWE Superstar
History shows that Cena has already faced Truth in a singles match on the May 24 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, an encounter that did not have a championship at stake. The prospect of these two experienced competitors vying for the Undisputed WWE Championship adds an extra layer of intrigue, especially given their past interactions and the heightened anticipation fueled by current rumors.
What the future holds for the championship
With the Night of Champions Premium Live Event drawing near, the wrestling community remains divided on whether a new legend could finally unseat John Cena as the top champion. The ongoing rivalry with CM Punk, the potential for R-Truth to step into the title scene, and evolving storylines on RAW all contribute to an atmosphere of uncertainty and excitement. While WWE’s creative direction remains unpredictable, Peter Rosenberg’s analysis and Elias’s perspective offer new dimensions to the championship narrative. Fans, including followers of WWE, TNA, and major wrestling platforms like Sportskeeda Wrestling, will be looking to Night of Champions for answers about whether the era of Cena as champion will continue, or if a remarkable upset is about to shift the landscape of WWE.
