John Cena’s surprise turn fuels WWE SmackDown finale as Orton erupts

When John Cena stepped into the ring at the Prudential Center on August 1, 2025, the arena erupted in a chorus of chants that sounded half‑cheer, half‑jeer. The surprise babyface turn wasn’t just a fleeting moment; it set the tone for what WWE billed as the final WWE SmackDown before the much‑anticipated SummerSlam 2025MetLife Stadium. Fans in Newark, New Jersey, got a front‑row seat to a showdown that mixed nostalgia, raw aggression, and a dash of comedy, all under the watchful eyes of commentators Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore.

Why Cena’s turn mattered

The lights dimmed, "JOHN CENA" scarred across the Titantron, and the crowd’s mixed chant of "Cena sucks" and "Let’s go Cena" felt like a live poll. Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion, answered his theme music a few seconds later, turning the segment into a face‑off that felt part‑scripted, part‑spontaneous. Cena’s mic‑drop line – “thank you” – was a thinly veiled nod to Rhodes’ earlier attack on him, a storyline that began weeks ago on an episode of RAW. By thanking Rhodes, Cena effectively reversed his heel persona, earning a thunderous roar from the audience and solidifying his status as a “real” John Cena, as he declared in Hindi, "अब वह असली जॉन सीना हैं".

Rhodes, ever the showman, raised two beers, clinked them with Cena, and the two shared a brief, candid moment that left the commentary team scrambling for adjectives. Barrett called it “a heartfelt redemption,” while Tessitore noted, “You can’t script a crowd like this.” The segment also gave Cena a chance to jab at the legend The Rock, suggesting the big star “wants fans to remember him forever.” Whether that line landed or not, it reminded viewers that the WWE universe thrives on intertwining past and present.

Women’s United States Title lights up the card

While the men’s drama stole headlines, the Women's United States Championship match delivered a technical masterpiece. Champion Giulia, flanked by manager Kiana James, faced challenger Zelina Vega in a bout that clocked in at twelve minutes and thirteen seconds. The pair traded signature moves – Giulia’s surfboard submission and Vega’s avalanche German suplex – making the crowd chant “This is awesome!” at every near‑fall.

Giulia’s finishing combo – a second Northern Lights Bomb – finally sealed the win, allowing her to retain the title. Post‑match, Vega praised Giulia, saying, “You pushed me to my limits, and I respect that.” The admiration underscored the growing depth of the women’s division, a point highlighted by former champion Rhea Ripley in a backstage interview.

Lucha libre makes a splash

International flair arrived when AAA Tag Team Champions Los Garza (Angel and Berto) answered an open challenge from Mexican stars Mr. Iguana and Psycho Clown. The high‑flying style, complete with daring flips and a signature MTY finisher, had the Newark crowd on its feet. Although the challengers put up a spirited fight – Iguana earned the nickname “a house on fire” for his relentless offense – Los Garza retained their belts, cementing WWE’s commitment to showcasing global talent.

Mid‑card clashes set the tone for SummerSlam

One‑on‑one action didn’t shy away from controversy. Damian Priest and Aleister Black squared off in a bout that ended in a disqualification after Black wielded a steel chair. The chaos spilled beyond the ring: Priest re‑gained momentum with his Old School maneuver, only for Black to retaliate with a brutal chair shot that left Priest motionless on the canvas – a clear warning ahead of their scheduled SummerSlam showdown.

In a parallel storyline, Tanga Tonga (often called Talla Tonga) debuted with a victory over Jimmy Uso. Solo Sikoa briefly tried to swing the tide, but Uso’s spear neutralized the interference, allowing Tonga to lock in a chokeslam that secured his first win on WWE television.

Meanwhile, a steel‑cage melee featuring Jacob Fatu and Jimmy Uso versus JC Mateo and Tonga Loa escalated the ongoing faction war, giving fans another reason to tune in for the next week.

Four‑way brawl foreshadows SummerSlam’s clash

The main event of the night was a chaotic brawl that left security scrambling. Logan Paul and Drew McIntyre kicked off the fracas, hurling verbal jabs at their SummerSlam opponents. Shortly after, Randy Orton entered the ring, followed by musical artist Jelly Roll. Orton, described by Barrett as “incandescent with rage,” unleashed a flurry of RKOs on both security guards and his fellow combatants, while Jelly Roll, newly trained at the WWE Performance Center, swung wildly, prompting Tessitore to remark, “I don’t care how many officials you send down, you’re not calming this down.”

The melee perfectly illustrated the volatile mix of celebrity cross‑overs and veteran wrestlers that WWE is banking on for SummerSlam. With the event set for August 2 at MetLife Stadium – a venue that seats over 80,000 – the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Key Facts

• Date: August 1, 2025
• Venue: Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
• Highlight: John Cena’s babyface turn and confrontation with Cody Rhodes
• Main Title Match: Women’s United States Championship – Giulia (c) vs. Zelina Vega
• International Debut: Los Garza vs. Mr. Iguana & Psycho Clown

What’s next?

All eyes now turn to SummerSlam 2025MetLife Stadium. Cena and Rhodes are slated to clash for the Undisputed WWE Championship, while the Orton‑Jelly Roll rivalry will likely headline a separate match. Analysts predict the event could break the 3‑million pay‑per‑view buy‑rate mark, echoing the success of 2024’s WrestleMania.

Behind the scenes, WWE executives hinted at further international talent integrations, suggesting that the Lucha libre showcase might become a recurring segment. For now, the SmackDown finale has delivered a potent mix of nostalgia, surprise, and raw aggression – a perfect recipe to sell tickets and keep the global audience glued to their screens.