Ever since Vince McMahon consolidated multiple regional wrestling squads into a national powerhouse, the WWE has seen many champions come and go. Some are legends who live forever in our memories; others are little more than footnotes in history. Well, on WrestleMania 41 this weekend, John Cena cemented an already incredible legacy by taking a record-breaking 17th championship in a bout with Cody Rhodes that will never, ever be forgotten.
The Legendary Cena Needs Little Introduction
Wrestling and non-wrestling fans alike can all agree on one thing: John Cena is amazing. We’re not just talking about his 17 championship wins, though that’s (frankly) enough to give him godlike status. No, Cena is far more than just a one-trick pony. After a career in the military that saw him protecting our freedoms, Cena has not only become a wrestling icon but:
- Starred in multiple blockbuster movies, highlighting his surprisingly strong acting chops
- Written multiple best-selling books about his life, wrestling, and much more
- Set records for fundraising in the Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Provided the WWE with much-needed boosts when it needed it the most
As humble as he is confident, as kind as he is dangerous in the ring, Cena brings class and his unique personality and touch everywhere he goes. Now, he’s a champion again: how did this happen? Let’s take a deep dive into his fight with Cody Rhodes to see the amazing twists and turns that brought Cena out of semi-retirement and back into the limelight again.
The Unexpected Return of John Cena
As expected, Rhodes and Cena’s bout went the distance in what can only be labeled a thrill-a-minute joy ride! The two went blow-for-blow for much of the match, with nobody really getting too far ahead of the other. One big moment for Rhodes came when he stopped Cena’s patented Five Knuckle Shuffle dead in its tracks with a Cody Cutter that looked to end it.
Cena barely escaped the two-count and later hit four straight Attitude Adjustments, including a jaw-dropping top-rope drop. Rhodes, unbelievably, stayed on his feet and kept his cool. Well, perhaps that’s not too surprising: Cody Rhodes was a champion for a reason, after all!
Naturally, the match couldn’t end without some drama. Out of nowhere, Travis Scott appeared and distracted Rhodes before pulling the ref out of the ring to stop what undoubtedly would have been a count out on Cena after a devastating Cross Rhodes. Travis unwisely jumped into the ring to get his own Cross Rhodes before the three wrestlers got into a tug-of-war over the belt.
Rhodes got the belt in his hands and looked ready to knock Cena to the mat with it and go for the win. But he hesitated! With victory in his grasp, Rhodes stopped for just a moment too long and gave Cena the opening he needed to kick his opponent in a very delicate area. It was academic at that point: Cena pinned Rhodes and walked away a champion once again.
What This Means for the WWE
Such massive and surprising turnarounds are nothing new in the WWE. After all, this is the league that basically patented intricate and dramatic plotlines filled with amazing and unexpected twists. It’s honestly not a huge surprise to see Cena win at WrestleMania 41.
But how long will his championship run last? Well, that remains to be seen because Cena is getting up there in age for a wrestler, and while he can still put on amazing bouts, he’s not likely to make regular appearances again just yet. We anticipate another showdown with Rhodes, though: he’s a hard one to count out!
