The WWE Universe was left in absolute shock at Elimination Chamber 2025 when John Cena, one of the most respected and beloved figures in professional wrestling history, turned his back on the fans and brutally assaulted Cody Rhodes in a moment that will be talked about for years to come.
The night was already filled with tension as the road to WrestleMania heated up. Cody Rhodes, the reigning WWE Champion, had just survived an incredible Chamber match, retaining his title against the likes of Drew McIntyre, Seth Rollins, Gunther, LA Knight, and Finn Bálor. Exhausted and battered, Rhodes barely had time to celebrate when the iconic sounds of John Cena’s theme music hit the arena.
At first, the crowd erupted in cheers, assuming Cena had returned to congratulate Rhodes or perhaps even issue a respectful challenge for WrestleMania. But what followed was something that no one saw coming. Cena entered the ring, his expression unusually stern. He extended his hand to Rhodes, who hesitated before shaking it. Then, in an instant, Cena delivered a thunderous clothesline that sent Rhodes crashing to the mat.
The audience fell into stunned silence as Cena mounted Rhodes and unleashed a flurry of vicious punches. The attack continued as Cena hoisted Rhodes up and delivered a devastating Attitude Adjustment, planting him into the canvas. But he wasn’t done. With a look of ruthless determination, Cena rolled out of the ring, grabbed a steel chair, and re-entered, slamming it down repeatedly onto the fallen champion.
The referee and WWE officials rushed down to stop the attack, but Cena shoved them aside, grabbing Rhodes by the throat and screaming in his face. The microphone caught Cena’s words: “You think this is your era? You think you run this place? You’re nothing, Cody. NOTHING!”
The once-adored 16-time world champion had snapped, and the crowd had turned on him in an instant. Boos rained down from the arena, and a deafening chant of “YOU SOLD OUT!” echoed through the building.
As Cena stood over Rhodes, he ripped off his signature armband and tossed it into the crowd with disgust. The message was clear—this wasn’t the John Cena of old. This was a man who had abandoned the values he once stood for.
Medical personnel finally reached the ring as Cena walked up the ramp, looking back at the carnage he had left behind. The show closed with Cody Rhodes struggling to get to his feet, battered, but refusing to stay down, as the WWE Universe tried to process what they had just witnessed.
Why did Cena do it? Was this a bitter act of jealousy, or was there something deeper at play? No one had the answers, but one thing was certain—John Cena had just changed the landscape of WWE forever.
