John Cena’s Undisputed WWE Title loss could be on the horizon as clues from recent events suggest an unexpected turn is coming prior to his retirement. Currently in the midst of his final tour, Cena is scheduled to defend his championship against CM Punk at Night of Champions 2025, with speculation mounting that his reign may soon end.
Signals Growing Stronger for Cena’s Character Change
John Cena has held the Undisputed WWE Championship for over 60 days, marking another significant milestone in his storied career. The superstar, known as The Franchise Player, is also set to make a major appearance at SummerSlam 2025, fueling fan excitement regarding his plans during this pivotal phase.
There is mounting belief that Cena’s run as champion may be drawing to a close, stemming primarily from developments in his wrestling persona. Notably, Cena made a villainous turn at Elimination Chamber 2025 after attacking Cody Rhodes and joining forces with The Rock. Since that night, he has performed as a heel, shifting away from the babyface image he once held.
However, fans noticed an emotional moment at the SummerSlam kickoff event when Cena hugged a cameraman — an act he regularly performed in his “good guy” days. This gesture has led some in the WWE Universe to believe Cena could soon revert to a heroic role, potentially by first losing the Undisputed WWE Title to set up the transition.
A Potential Storyline Before Retirement
One widely-discussed theory is that John Cena’s character, dubbed The Last Real Champion, might lose his treasured championship and subsequently experience remorse over his actions during his heel turn. Such a development could see Cena return to a fan-favorite, babyface position before hanging up his boots, wrapping up his WWE career as a hero embraced by the audience.
Cena Previously Teased a Heroic Comeback
Although Cena became a heel only a few months ago, signs of a pending babyface switch have surfaced frequently. At Backlash St. Louis, following his win over Randy Orton in the title bout, the crowd demonstrated overwhelming appreciation for Cena, prompting a notably emotional reaction from The Franchise Player. The outpouring of support left him visibly moved, nearly bringing him to tears inside the ring and fueling further speculation about his direction.
Further, in a recent episode of SmackDown, Cena delivered a highly-charged promo that drew a thunderous response from the crowd, leading him to pause momentarily to absorb the fan reaction. Such incidents have added to the intrigue over where Cena’s storyline will head as his retirement tour continues.
What Lies Ahead for Cena and WWE?
With approximately half a year remaining in John Cena’s retirement run, the Stamford-based sports entertainment company appears poised to make the most of the legendary superstar’s final stretch as an in-ring competitor. How WWE handles the possible babyface turn and the Undisputed WWE Title loss will likely have a major impact on both Cena’s legacy and the company’s ongoing narratives featuring major figures such as The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and CM Punk. Fans and the WWE Universe will be watching closely as events unfold at Night of Champions 2025 and beyond.
