Overview

• On the August 1 episode of SmackDown, Cena officially ended his heel phase by apologizing to challenger Cody Rhodes and sharing a beer in the ring
• He admitted that his heel turn was driven by a pursuit of “false glory” and declared that he no longer wants to “ruin wrestling”
• Cena reiterated that his marriage to Shay Shariatzadeh and the demands of a full-time WWE schedule prompted his decision to retire in December 2025
• He remains the Undisputed WWE Champion and is set to defend his title against Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight at SummerSlam 2025 on August 3 in Newark, New Jersey
• Fans are speculating that Cena’s sudden face turn may be a strategic ruse to gain Rhodes’s trust before potentially betraying him at SummerSlam