On the April 25, 2025 episode of WWE SmackDown, fans witnessed an electric moment as Randy Orton stepped up to challenge John Cena to a highly anticipated match at Backlash. The atmosphere was thick with energy as the night unfolded at a sold-out arena, with the WWE Universe eagerly awaiting what was teased as a “career-altering announcement.”
The segment began with John Cena making his way to the ring, receiving a thunderous ovation. Dressed in his signature “Never Give Up” gear, Cena addressed the SmackDown audience, reflecting on his long, storied career and the challenges he has faced over the years. He spoke passionately about still having “one more run” left in him, igniting cheers from the crowd. As Cena vowed to prove he could still compete at the highest level, the unmistakable sound of Randy Orton’s music hit, bringing the arena to a deafening roar.
Orton, cool and calculating as ever, entered the ring with his trademark slow, deliberate walk. Dressed in a black leather jacket and a steely glare, Orton wasted no time in confronting Cena. He sarcastically congratulated Cena on “still being able to show up,” but made it clear that the WWE had evolved—and that there was no room left for nostalgia acts. Orton, embracing his “Apex Predator” persona, reminded Cena and the WWE Universe of their brutal history, including some of the most iconic and ruthless matches of the past two decades.
The verbal back-and-forth quickly escalated. Cena fired back, acknowledging their fierce rivalry but warning Orton not to mistake experience for weakness. Cena emphasized that he had beaten Orton before and he was ready to do it again. Orton smirked and taunted Cena about his recent movie roles and “part-timer” status, questioning whether Cena had the guts to survive a true fight anymore.
Finally, Orton made it official: he challenged John Cena to a match at Backlash, promising to end Cena’s career once and for all. The crowd erupted into chants of “This is awesome!” before Cena, without hesitation, accepted the challenge. The tension peaked when Orton suddenly launched a sneak attack, attempting an RKO. Cena, however, managed to anticipate it and countered, leading to a wild brawl between the two legends.
Security and referees rushed the ring to separate them, but the damage had already been done—the animosity was real, and the stakes were sky-high. As Cena stood tall in the ring, staring down a retreating and grinning Orton, the commentary team emphasized the significance of this match: two future Hall of Famers, one more time, on one of WWE’s biggest stages.
The segment closed with Cena posing for the crowd, signaling that he was ready for war. Meanwhile, Orton watched from the ramp, mouthing the words, “It ends at Backlash.” The WWE Universe was left buzzing with anticipation for what promises to be an epic clash between two of the company’s greatest icons.
