The atmosphere surrounding John Cena’s appearance at WrestleMania 41 against Cody Rhodes for the WWE Undisputed Championship was dramatically altered, representing a significant departure from his established brand. Rather than the usual celebratory fanfare, the entrance showcased a stark, almost austere presentation – a deliberate shift in tone focused solely on achieving a historic milestone.
As Cena’s music reverberated through Allegiant Stadium, he emerged with a visual cue: a towel bearing the phrase “the last time is now.” This immediately elicited a torrent of boos from the audience, mirroring the intensity of a significant sporting defeat – reminiscent of a failed playoff game.
The match itself unfolded as a stark contrast to Cena’s typical wrestling style. Initially, he adopted a cautious approach, actively avoiding direct confrontation and strategically waiting for an opportune moment to escalate the action. He employed maneuvers rarely seen in his repertoire: heavy boots, forceful clotheslines, and deliberate mudhole stomps – tactics that felt distinctly uncharacteristic of the established ‘Cena’ persona.
The contest rapidly transformed into a brutal exchange, with Cena and Rhodes engaging in a sustained series of strikes. The rivalry, which had its roots in Cena’s alliance with Dwayne “The Rock” at Elimination Chamber, intensified throughout the bout.
Fan reaction was sharply divided; the arena echoed with opposing chants – “Let’s go Cena!” versus the equally fervent “Cena sucks!” This vocal division underscored the intense investment and passionate disagreement surrounding the match.
At a pivotal moment, Cena attempted his signature Five Knuckle Shuffle, only to be countered by Rhodes’ strategic poke to the eye. The momentum shifted, with Rhodes responding with devastating moves including a Disaster Kick and a Cody Cutter.
Cena briefly regained control with an Attitude Adjustment, but Rhodes quickly capitalized with another Attitude Adjustment from the top rope, followed by a failed Five Knuckle Shuffle attempt.
As the match progressed, the crowd’s energy remained palpable. Rhodes skillfully manipulated the audience’s emotions while Cena relentlessly pursued his offensive strategy. He ultimately secured a victory with both his finisher and a submission hold – the STFU.
A critical moment arrived when the referee momentarily fell; consequently, there was no one to accurately count Rhodes’ pin attempts.
Seeking further disruption, Cena utilized a tactic involving the ring post before executing an Attitude Adjustment. The referee recovered and successfully counted one, two – but Rhodes remained unseated.
Suddenly, Travis Scott’s music cut through the noise, signaling a dramatic intervention. Having previously inflicted a black eye on Rhodes at Elimination Chamber, Scott demanded further engagement. Rhodes strategically turned the tables, confronting Cena directly as the referee was removed from the ring. The two competitors engaged in a tense stare-down before Scott attempted a slap, which Rhodes countered with a powerful Cross Rhodes.
Cena ultimately seized the opportunity to claim victory, securing the championship and attempting a further strike against Rhodes, who then pleaded for mercy. Unable to comply, Cena delivered a low blow followed by the title win.
With this decisive pinfall, Cena secured his record-breaking 17th WWE Championship title. This marked the conclusion of Cody Rhodes’ initial reign after his victory over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 – more than a year following that monumental achievement.
