John Cena is set to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2025, but Drew McIntyre has openly challenged Cena’s reign. McIntyre, aiming to reclaim a world title, has expressed frustration with Cena and made it clear he wants to end Cena’s hold on the championship.
In addition to his focus on Cena, McIntyre will appear alongside Logan Paul to face Jelly Roll and Randy Orton at an upcoming premium live event. This match is crucial for the Scotsman as he looks to avenge a loss to Orton at Saturday Night’s Main Event XL, which is part of his plan to regain momentum leading into SummerSlam.
McIntyre’s Strong Words Against Cena and His Path Forward
During an appearance on IMPAULSIVE with Logan Paul, McIntyre harshly criticized John Cena’s current performance and expressed a renewed focus on winning the championship. He also mentioned past distractions involving other wrestlers that have stalled his career progress.
“I was out for five weeks. I came back, new mindset, new Drew. I’m not getting involved in these personal issues I’ve been involved with for the past two years. People like [CM] Punk and [Damian] Priest. That’s not getting me any titles. I want the da*n title back. I want that win over Randy [Orton] to put me on track. To beat [John] Cena, the current bi**h version of Cena, and he screwed it all up. He being Jelly Roll. He deserved to get kicked in his stupid face,” said McIntyre. —Drew McIntyre, WWE Superstar
This statement highlights McIntyre’s frustration with ongoing rivalries and his determination to focus solely on regaining the Undisputed WWE Championship.
McIntyre’s Recent Championship History and Future Ambitions
Drew McIntyre briefly held the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in 2024 after defeating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL. However, his reign was cut short when CM Punk assisted Damian Priest in cashing in his Money in the Bank contract following a heated confrontation involving McIntyre. Punk has repeatedly blocked McIntyre’s attempts to regain a world title, including preventing him from cashing in his own Money in the Bank opportunity.
Now 40 years old, McIntyre appears determined to leave those setbacks behind. He sees a victory at SummerSlam 2025 as the crucial next step on his journey to recapturing a world championship and ending Cena’s current reign.
What McIntyre’s Challenge Means for WWE’s SummerSlam
McIntyre’s public challenge adds tension to SummerSlam 2025, signaling a potential shift in WWE’s championship landscape. As Cena prepares to defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against Rhodes, McIntyre’s ambitions suggest a three-way rivalry could develop or a future showdown might be imminent. This rivalry underscores the high stakes and intense competition surrounding the Undisputed WWE Championship, promising a compelling storyline as SummerSlam approaches.
