John Cena has officially won the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41, meaning he is a record-breaking 17th time world champion.
While the victory was in controversial fashion, it marks a major point in his retirement tour, potentially setting up multiple matches with up-and-coming stars.
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But before that, Cena will have to deal with an old friend from his past.
On this past Monday Night Raw, Cena explained to the audience why and how he planned to ruin professional wrestling. What he didn’t expect was a surprise RKO from longtime rival Randy Orton.
On Friday Night SmackDown, the two met in the ring again, this time to hash things out verbally.
Orton explained that he couldn’t let Cena ruin professional wrestling, something he has loved his entire life.
This promo eventually led to Cena officially accepting Orton’s challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship, meaning that they would face off against each other, likely for the last time, on May 10, 2025, at Backlash in St. Louis: Orton’s hometown.
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Cena and Orton have a long history as rivals, dating back to when they were in WWE’s former developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2001.
This match will mark the 22nd world title match these two have engaged in, including matches with other wrestlers. Of the 21 previous matches, Cena has won nine of the matches while Orton has won 10.
The dynamic for this final title match will be particularly interesting because the alignments have been reversed.
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Cena has long been one of the most beloved heroes of WWE while Orton served as his arch villain, doing things like blowing up Cena with fireworks and punting his father in the head.
Now, Cena has lived long enough to see himself become the villain while Orton is seen as a beloved figure and family man who isn’t afraid to get the job done in the ring.
For WWE fans who grew up during the 2000s, this will be a match made in heaven.
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