After widespread WrestleMania 41 main event criticism, Cody Rhodes has become the center of attention as he prepares to face John Cena for the WWE Title at SummerSlam, following his victory in the 2025 King of the Ring tournament. The contest is set to take place amid high expectations, with many fans and observers hoping for an improved match compared to their heavily debated previous encounter.
Rhodes Seeks Redemption at SummerSlam
Rhodes’s path to the SummerSlam main event was sealed with his win at the prestigious King of the Ring tournament. This achievement puts him in direct contention for the WWE Title against rival John Cena, reigniting their storyline after the controversial WrestleMania showdown. The previous main event was met with pointed critique, especially regarding the overall in-ring action and the high-profile interference by Travis Scott during the finish. WWE circles and fan communities, such as those following coverage by Cultaholic, have intensely discussed the outcome and execution of that match.
Addressing WrestleMania 41 Main Event Criticism
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Rhodes, also known as The American Nightmare, acknowledged the disappointment felt by many. He directly referenced the backlash, offering his perspective in a calm and measured response:
“SummerSlam, I don’t wanna go as far as making any promises, but I can tell you the goal with SummerSlam is if people felt a certain way about WrestleMania, I will put that all on my back and take all the credit and responsibility for perhaps not feeling satisfied. I’d like to get ’em to the finish line with SummerSlam. Very much looking forward to doing this dance again”
—Cody Rhodes, WWE Superstar
This public statement reflects Rhodes’s intent to take accountability for the previous contest’s outcome, emphasizing his determination to deliver a match that addresses the concerns shared after WrestleMania 41.
Shifts in Cody Rhodes’s Wrestling Persona
In addition to the anticipation surrounding the next bout, Rhodes recently commented that he is nearing the “tail end” of his current run as a babyface—a character role he has maintained since departing the Bullet Club in 2018. This hints at possible changes in his approach or alignment in the WWE, adding another layer of intrigue for fans ahead of SummerSlam. Names like John Cena and Travis Scott remain part of the narrative, as the outcome of the upcoming event could influence future storylines across WWE.
With the personal stakes high and the memory of the last main event still vivid, Cody Rhodes’s quest to address the criticism from WrestleMania 41 will be under close scrutiny when he challenges John Cena, aiming to recapture support from fans and critics alike.
