John Cena expressed his approval of a clever WWE storyline involving Seth Rollins, who fooled the audience by pretending to be injured during a match with LA Knight at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The WWE veteran was reportedly pleased with how Rollins managed to trick both fans and wrestlers alike by feigning a serious injury that appeared to sideline him for months.
During the event, Rollins appeared to suffer an injury and was seen using crutches, convincing everyone that he would be out of action. However, at SummerSlam 2025, immediately following CM Punk’s victory over Gunther to claim the World Heavyweight title, Rollins revealed it was all an elaborate ruse. He then cashed in his Money in the Bank (MITB) contract moments later, capturing the World Heavyweight Championship from Punk in a stunning surprise.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Rollins disclosed that John Cena was not informed of this plan beforehand, highlighting the element of surprise even among top WWE stars.
“John reached out and I had to do my best to wiggle around it. But John and I are cut from the same cloth, so when he saw the final outcome, he was very happy, he was proud in a way. So I think at the end of the day it all works itself out.” – Seth Rollins
John Cena’s Difficult Night at SummerSlam 2025
John Cena experienced challenges of his own at SummerSlam 2025. He headlined the second night against Cody Rhodes but ended up losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to “The American Nightmare.” His setbacks continued after the match when Brock Lesnar made a shocking return following a two-year absence and launched a brutal attack on Cena, reigniting their longstanding rivalry.
The coming WWE Wrestlepalooza event will feature what is expected to be their final in-ring confrontation, adding further intrigue to Cena’s current storyline arc and giving fans a chance to witness the conclusion of a major feud between two wrestling veterans.
The Broader Implications for WWE Storytelling
The carefully orchestrated injury deception by Seth Rollins has showcased WWE’s commitment to surprising its audience and keeping storylines unpredictable. John Cena’s unexpected reaction demonstrates the camaraderie and respect between top-tier wrestlers amid these carefully planned events.
This angle also emphasizes the importance of the Money in the Bank contract as a game-changing element in WWE’s championship narratives. Rollins’ cash-in at SummerSlam immediately after Punk’s grueling victory underscores how quickly fortunes can change in professional wrestling, maintaining high drama for viewers.
Meanwhile, John Cena’s continued struggles and upcoming match against Brock Lesnar suggest a significant closing chapter for both superstars, indicating a potential shift in WWE’s focus toward rising talents and new rivalries.
