On July 18, 2025, WWE SmackDown will broadcast live from the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, featuring the highly anticipated John Cena WWE SmackDown return. This event will mark Cena’s first appearance since Night of Champions, generating significant buzz as he prepares to face Cody Rhodes in a contract signing that could reshape ongoing storylines. The show promises to set the stage for SummerSlam, with various story arcs intensifying ahead of the major event.
Major Storylines Targeted for the July 18 SmackDown
John Cena’s return is just one highlight among many on this SmackDown card. The show will function as a critical build-up to SummerSlam, which is less than two weeks away, as wrestlers vie for positioning on the pay-per-view lineup. With Naomi having recently transferred to RAW, the SmackDown roster faces adjustments that could affect match dynamics and alliances.
In the women’s division, Tiffany Stratton is slated to confront Jade Cargill, setting the stage for their upcoming high-stakes match at SummerSlam. On the men’s side, an ongoing rivalry between Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton continues to heat up, especially following their unsanctioned brawl during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live. This incident adds complexity regarding potential disciplinary consequences from WWE management, but it is expected that their rivalry will spill back onto SmackDown.
Another significant tension revolves around the confrontation between Jimmy Uso and Jacob Fatu against the powerful MFT faction led by Solo Sikoa. Outnumbered two to four, Uso and Fatu face a difficult challenge, while Jey Uso remains focused on teaming with Roman Reigns on RAW to combat Seth Rollins’ faction. The imbalance creates a notable storyline featuring the threat of overwhelming odds and possible alliances with LA Knight or other babyfaces to level the playing field.
Contract Signing to Heighten John Cena and Cody Rhodes Rivalry
The centerpiece of this SmackDown episode will be the contract signing between John Cena and Cody Rhodes, who are set to clash at SummerSlam. Cena, a 17-time world champion, will take advantage of his time on the microphone to assert his position, while Rhodes is determined to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Title. This confrontation could signal a pivotal moment in their characters’ arcs and the overall narrative of WWE.
Foreshadowing a Possible Shift in Cena’s Character Direction
There are indications that Cena’s current heel run might be nearing its conclusion. WWE SmackDown is expected to provide early signals of a potential babyface turn for Cena, possibly coinciding with SummerSlam. Rather than a straightforward character change, the event could feature a high-impact double turn, with Cody Rhodes shifting to a darker persona and Cena realigning as a fan favorite. Such a development would add depth and unpredictability to their upcoming showdown.
Both superstars have hinted at these transformations; Cena appears eager to rebuild rapport with the audience, while Rhodes has increasingly employed tactics that blur the lines between hero and villain, as seen in his recent match against Randy Orton at Night of Champions. Their promos and in-ring interactions on SmackDown are anticipated to include subtle mind games and psychological warfare, leveraging their strengths as compelling talkers in the WWE universe.
What to Expect Moving Forward
The events on the July 18 SmackDown should clarify the trajectory of both Cena and Rhodes ahead of SummerSlam. Their contract signing segment offers an opportunity to escalate tensions and deepen character motivations beyond simple action sequences. This could set the tone for one of the most captivating rivalries of the summer, with significant implications for WWE’s storytelling and fan engagement.
As the show unfolds in San Antonio, all eyes will be on these key figures, along with the wider roster, to see how storylines evolve under the pressure of SummerSlam’s looming deadline. The balance of power, alliances, and character alignments established on this night will likely reverberate across WWE’s programming in the coming weeks.
