Cena turns on WWE Universe, will face Cody Rhodes in Las Vegas

Originally published to 8 News Now on March 1, 2025.

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — After a hard-fought main event in the Elimination Chamber in Toronto, the leader of the “Cenation” turned his back on professional wrestling fans, aligning with the villainous “Final Boss,” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

The shocking turn occurred after Cena defeated five other superstars, earning his path to the main event of WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. After forcing CM Punk to lose consciousness and then celebrating his victory, Cena was met by the “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes in the ring.

TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 1: John Cena delivering the STF to CM Punk during WWE Elimination Chamber at Rogers Centre on March 1, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)

After a handshake, The Rock made his way to the “squared circle” for an answer from Rhodes regarding The Final Boss’s demand for Cody’s “soul” and for the Undisputed Champion to become his champion. After considering it, Rhodes told The Rock he had given his soul to professional wrestling and its fans long ago before punctuating the denial with an expletive.

However, shortly after the denial, The Rock gestured to Cena to attack. A brutal assault on Rhodes from Cena ensued. The fight left the WWE Champion bloodied in the middle of the ring. The career-long fan favorite had turned not just on Rhodes but on the WWE Universe.

TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 01: John Cena in action against Cody Rhodes during WWE Elimination Chamber at Rogers Centre on March 1, 2025 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)

With that twist, it seems that the fan-favorite “American Nightmare” will head into battle against the “Final Boss” endorsed John Cena for the WWE Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium at the massive two-night mega-event in Las Vegas.

In July, Cena announced that WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas would be his last, part of a retirement tour that would pass through Allegiant Stadium en route to the 47-year-old’s final matches. In an exclusive conversation with 8 News Now, Rhodes said that WrestleMania 41 would bring the unexpected.

“You’re probably looking at avenues you didn’t think we’d take,” he said. “Matches you never imagined would happen.”

Indeed, the “American Nightmare’s” words rang true as Cena’s villainous turn was quite unexpected for WWE fans. For his part, Rhodes gave Cena his flowers at the time.

“In terms of all of us wrestling fans and wrestlers alike enjoying the final run of John Cena,” Rhodes said. “And I think as far as the locker room and just general wrestlers all across the globe, everywhere they’re at, a lot of appreciation for John.”

Tickets to WrestleMania 41 are on sale now, including tickets to each individual night of ‘Mania at Allegiant Stadium. Those can be purchased at Ticketmaster. Tickets to the WWE World fan experience at the Las Vegas Convention Center are on sale now.