WWE is set to make history with its first-ever two-night SummerSlam event at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey in 2025. Central to this landmark show is the highly anticipated main event that promises to deliver one of the most remarkable double turns in wrestling history, featuring John Cena and Cody Rhodes.
John Cena Hints at a Return to Heroism Amid His Villainous Reign
John Cena stunned fans in 2025 by adopting a heel persona, marked by disrespecting the audience, cheating during matches, and clinging to the WWE Championship as though to retire while holding the title indefinitely. Despite this villainous turn, the WWE audience has remained supportive of Cena, a fact he has occasionally acknowledged. While he has dropped subtle hints towards reclaiming his heroic image, he consistently reinforces his bad guy role, most recently at Night of Champions where he refused to fully attack with his title yet still attempted a low blow.
The ongoing storyline suggests Cena’s villainy conflicts with his nature and foreshadows a future redemption arc. Eventually, Cena is expected to embrace the crowd’s admiration, apologize for his wrongdoings, and exemplify positive role modeling for a new generation of fans. This transformation may occur during SummerSlam’s main event when Cena defends his WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes.
Cody Rhodes Shows Signs of Abandoning His Good Guy Image
Since returning to WWE in 2022, Cody Rhodes has been the company’s foremost babyface and headlined the last three WrestleManias as the quintessential good guy. However, recent developments hint at a darker turn for Rhodes that could debut as early as SummerSlam. In an interview with Pat McAfee, The Rock revealed WWE’s original plans included Rhodes turning heel at Elimination Chamber 2025, though Cena’s unexpected turn altered those intentions. Rhodes himself has displayed increased aggression and intensity on WWE programming throughout 2025.
In the lead-up to major events such as the King of the Ring finals, Rhodes showed a more serious and less jovial demeanor, focusing solely on overcoming opponents like Jey Uso and Randy Orton to secure another WWE Championship opportunity. He has also made cryptic social media posts expressing gratitude for the fans’ journey alongside him. When interviewed by Kay Adams at Fanatics Fest, Rhodes remarked on his current phase in WWE, indicating he feels close to concluding his run as a beloved babyface.
I don’t ever get tired of it because you get to have all of this and these moments. I do think we’re probably at the tail end of it, though, because there’s only so much someone can like you. I would love to do it until the end of my career but there’s only so much, ‘Alright, we do his woah, we cheer for him.’ At a certain point, they want to see somebody else. I get that and that’s where you have to change as a character.
—Cody Rhodes
The Rock’s Influence and the Prospect of Rhodes Embracing a Heel Role
The ongoing storyline suggests The Rock has been pushing for Cody Rhodes to embrace a heel turn in 2025, a move that would significantly alter WWE’s main event landscape. Rhodes previously lost the WWE Championship and faced consequences after resisting The Rock’s influence. This narrative arc hints that Rhodes may ultimately adopt a darker character, potentially seizing the opportunity to dethrone John Cena and reshape his persona completely.
SummerSlam will host a rematch between Cena and Rhodes, a nod to their WrestleMania 41 encounter. Expectations are that Cena will resist reverting fully to his villainous tactics, perhaps declining to use underhanded moves such as a low blow, and instead acknowledge the fans’ support. The presence of The Rock and Travis Scott in this match remains speculative, but their involvement could escalate the drama.
Meanwhile, Drew McIntyre’s return to WWE on SmackDown adds another layer of intensity, as his character awaits further development and impact in ongoing storylines.
The main event looks likely to feature chaotic elements rather than a straightforward contest between the heroic Rhodes and villainous Cena. Rhodes could execute a surprise low blow or accept aid from The Rock to claim the WWE Championship, completing a dramatic double turn where Cena reclaims his heroic identity while Rhodes succumbs to a darker role.
What the Double Turn Means for WWE’s Future Storylines
The potential double turn at SummerSlam 2025 would mark one of the biggest plot shifts in professional wrestling in recent years, rivalling the historical moment of WrestleMania 13’s Austin-Hart double turn. This event could redefine the characters of both John Cena and Cody Rhodes, setting up new rivalries and storylines for the months leading into the 2026 Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The WWE Championship picture will inevitably be altered, with fans anticipating how Cena’s redemption and Rhodes’ transformation influence upcoming pay-per-views and WrestleMania main events. The shift may prompt renewed interest in WWE’s narrative complexity and showcase how evolving character roles keep the product fresh and engaging.
As the story unfolds, WWE audiences will witness the high stakes and emotional depth surrounding two of the company’s top stars, with SummerSlam 2025 poised to become a seminal moment in wrestling history.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is WrestleMania or SummerSlam bigger?
A. SummerSlam is a yearly professional wrestling event organized by WWE, the largest promoter in this field. Since starting in 1988, it has been called “The Biggest Party of the Summer.” It is known as WWE’s second-biggest event after WrestleMania.
