John Cena, the 17-time WWE Undisputed Champion, made his last SummerSlam appearance last night, facing off against Cody Rhodes in a hard-fought Street Fight. Rhodes, known as the American Nightmare, emerged victorious by dethroning Cena in a dramatic main event, marking a key moment in the WWE SummerSlam passing torch tradition.
Intense Match Showcasing Both Competitors’ Resilience
The showdown between Rhodes and Cena was widely praised for its intensity and back-and-forth action. Michael Cole described the encounter as an “instant classic,” highlighting the determination shown by both wrestlers. Cena survived multiple attempts at a Cross Rhodes from Rhodes, kicking out three times, while the challenger also resisted several powerful Attitude Adjustments, including one delivered after a Super AA. The fierce exchanges culminated in Rhodes securing the pinfall to become a two-time WWE champion.
Emotional Post-Match Tribute and Acknowledgment
Following the match, Cena symbolically passed the WWE title to Rhodes, signifying a true passing of the torch within the organization. During the post-show event, Rhodes openly praised Cena, calling the moment as authentic and meaningful as anything in wrestling. He acknowledged Cena’s legacy and work ethic, underscoring the significance of the transition.
There’s those things, with WWE doing WWE: Unreal on Netflix, for example. There’s so much of what we are seeing that we’ve never seen before. But sometimes it’s just really easy for me to tell you like it is. I think you [Joe Tessitore] know this, I know you [Big E] know this, I know you [Pete Rosenberg] know this. I think we know this. A moment like that [the closing segment of the main event], is as real as you will ever get in our industry. And before I could say, ‘Hey, I did it. Hey, I worked so hard,’ we have to give it up for the G.O.A.T, John Cena,
Cody Rhodes said.
Brock Lesnar’s Shocking Return Caps Off the Event
The event took an unexpected turn when Brock Lesnar, the Beast Incarnate, made a surprise comeback at the very end. Lesnar immediately targeted Cena, adding an intense new layer to the WWE storylines heading forward. This shocking return injects fresh anticipation for future WWE events and rivalries.
The Significance of the WWE SummerSlam Passing Torch Moment
The evening’s outcomes represent more than just a title change; they mark a pivotal moment in WWE history as one legendary figure passes responsibility to the next generation. John Cena’s farewell SummerSlam main event concluded with a powerful gesture of trust and respect toward Cody Rhodes, signaling a hopeful future for the wrestling scene while fans remain eager to see what unfolds next.
