The Negative impact of John Cena’s WWE title reign is being felt strongly in the wrestling world, as four prominent WWE Superstars are grappling with significant setbacks after Cena captured the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. With John Cena now holding the top prize, these competitors face disrupted storylines, stalled momentum, and uncertain futures within WWE’s main event scene.
Cody Rhodes Stuck in a Familiar Narrative
Cody Rhodes appeared to be on the verge of WWE glory, culminating in a redemption storyline that began after his loss to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39. Winning two consecutive Royal Rumbles earned him another chance, and allies like Seth Rollins helped him finally overcome The Tribal Chief, creating one of WWE’s most celebrated arcs in recent years. However, instead of moving forward with something new, Rhodes finds himself facing a recycled storyline, this time with John Cena replacing Roman Reigns and Jey Uso filling in for Rollins.
With The Rock still looming in the background, fans are left with a plot that offers little freshness. As Cody is again positioned as the challenger in a repeat formula, there is growing concern that viewers will become disinterested with this approach. His previous Undisputed Champion run already drew criticism due to repetitive title defenses against a limited roster, including frequent matches with Kevin Owens, AJ Styles, and Solo Sikoa.
Drew McIntyre’s Momentum Halted
Drew McIntyre’s World Heavyweight Championship triumph quickly faded when he was blindsided by CM Punk and then lost his title to Damian Priest, who seized the opportunity to cash in Money in the Bank. Despite this setback, McIntyre’s determination saw him chase after redemption, enduring a bitter feud with Punk that ultimately concluded with Punk leading 2-1 at Bad Blood 2024.
Consistently delivering in the ring, McIntyre’s persistence earned him major victories at the Elimination Chamber, Big-stage WrestleMania XL, and Money in the Bank in 2024. Nevertheless, a return to the world title scene never materialized. Instead, McIntyre was drawn into an underwhelming feud with Damian Priest. Lacking the heated animosity of his rivalry with CM Punk, this program failed to reestablish his importance on the card.
Eventually, after a loss in a steel cage match to Priest at Saturday Night’s Main Event, McIntyre took a hiatus. Before this downward slide, he was involved in promising promos with Cody Rhodes, which hinted at a possible feud for the Undisputed Championship. With Cena as champion, though, McIntyre’s opportunities for another title run remain blocked, leaving doubts about his future trajectory after his return.
Setbacks for Randy Orton in the Title Picture
John Cena’s first title defense as Undisputed Champion pitted him against longtime rival Randy Orton at the 2025 Backlash event. The match generated excitement, especially as the bout took place in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis. However, interference by R-Truth enabled Cena to deliver a low blow and secure the controversial win, all consistent with his current heel persona.
As a result of the loss, Randy Orton has not returned to WWE programming, notably missing out on the Money in the Bank qualifiers, which could have positioned him for another shot at the title. This absence comes at a pivotal moment, stalling the veteran’s momentum and taking away what might have been his best chance to dethrone Cena using his signature surprise attack, the RKO.
CM Punk Locked Out of the Main Event
CM Punk made a dramatic WWE return at November’s Survivor Series 2023 after a nine-year absence. Since coming back, his run has been hampered by injury and persistent feuding, first with Drew McIntyre and then with Seth Rollins. Following the 2025 Royal Rumble, Roman Reigns became part of this storyline, and although Punk headlined WrestleMania 41, he ultimately lost a Triple Threat match to Rollins.
Despite frequent mentions of his desire for a world title opportunity, Punk has yet to receive a title shot since returning. He warned Cody Rhodes of his intentions after the 2025 Royal Rumble, only to be given further rivalry matches that have not involved John Cena—despite open challenges from Punk and clear friction between the two. He failed to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match, signaling continued frustrations. John Cena’s retirement storyline and tight grip on the Undisputed Championship have left Punk sidelined from the pursuit of WWE’s top prize.
How John Cena’s Reign Is Shaping WWE’s Future
As John Cena’s Undisputed Championship reign continues, major WWE stars including Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Randy Orton, and CM Punk are being edged out of the main event landscape. The repetitive storylines, disrupted pushes, and limited opportunities paint a turbulent picture for WWE’s creative direction. Fans are increasingly vocal in calling for new, unpredictable storylines and opportunities for other main event talent. With Cena’s dominant hold on the championship, the next phase for WWE’s top stars remains uncertain, and the company faces mounting pressure to refresh its storytelling and roster hierarchy.
