SummerSlam Highlights: Cody Rhodes Prevails Over John Cena
In the realm of professional wrestling, passing the torch is a rare event. At SummerSlam on Sunday night, Cody Rhodes and John Cena added a memorable chapter to the WWE saga. Rhodes triumphed over Cena in a fierce street fight, reclaiming the WWE Championship, marking his second title reign since capturing it at WrestleMania 40.
John Cena made a grand entrance, complete with his classic “My Time Is Now” theme, igniting the crowd at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Even Rhodes couldn’t suppress a smile at the moment.
But, shortly afterward, the celebratory mood shifted. This wasn’t just any match; it was a street fight for the coveted WWE Championship, which was anything but gentle. Questions loomed: Could Rhodes summon the killer instinct needed to beat Cena? Had Cena, perhaps, reinvented himself as a true warrior?
Rhodes utilized Tyrees Halliburton’s crutches to his advantage, slamming Cena against the steel steps, although he also felt the pain of those steps firsthand. Early on, both wrestlers were clearly fighting hard for the biggest prize in WWE.
The match saw an unexpected Attitude Adjustment from Cena, who attempted a pin. However, it was too early for Rhodes to be out of the game. Rhodes countered with some of his own moves, but Cena remained resilient, unwilling to go down easily.
I think it’s fair to say tensions were high. Rhodes delivered kicks and attempted a Cody cutter, but still, Cena stood strong. Continuing their back-and-forth, Rhodes resorted to a banned move— the piledriver. Cena, ever the veteran, played possum, stunning Rhodes with another Attitude Adjustment.
The battle eventually spilled outside the ring as Cena turned aggressive, bashing Rhodes with a microphone and clearing the Spanish announce table. With Rhodes slung over his shoulder, Cena crashed him through the table with another Attitude Adjustment.
However, when Cena returned Rhodes to the ring to pin him, Rhodes just wouldn’t stay down. Frustration boiled over as the fight took them into the crowd. It all felt a bit chaotic, with both trying to seize the upper hand.
Cena had Rhodes on his shoulder again as they neared the entrance ramp. It’s like they were feeling each other out, constantly shifting strategies. Another Attitude Adjustment seemed imminent, yet Rhodes found strength just in time, countering Cena by smashing him through a nearby table.
With the ropes loosened, the match got even wilder. Rhodes exploited the setup but, for all his tactics, Cena proved crafty, reversing the situation yet again. And maybe there was a shift in momentum—Rhodes unleashed a flurry of Crossroads on Cena, thinking he had him pinned. But it wasn’t enough.
Even when Cena delivered multiple Attitude Adjustments, Rhodes kept kicking out. It’s a testament to both wrestlers’ endurance and determination.
In a surprising twist, Rhodes managed to put Cena through a table right at the last moment. After a brief tussle, he hit the decisive Crossroads. With the referee counting: 1, 2, 3—Rhodes emerged victorious.
As Cena stood center ring, he addressed the crowd, acknowledging that his time was winding down. The WWE fans expressed their gratitude for another unforgettable performance from Cena.
