The contract signing for the Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam descended into chaos on Friday’s WWE SmackDown. After champion John Cena attempted to back out of the scheduled match against Cody Rhodes, an enraged Rhodes brutally attacked him, put him through the announce table, and forced him to sign the contract for what will now be a Street Fight.
“I’m Not Going To Be At SummerSlam”
The segment began with General Manager Adam Pearce in the ring to officiate the signing. Cody Rhodes came out first, signed the contract, and cut an emotional promo. He admitted that he “did flinch at Wrestlemania 41 against one of the most beloved wrestlers in the sport, John Cena,” but said that facing Cena for the title is “a task he was born for.”
John Cena then made his entrance and immediately delivered what he called “bad news” for Cody. “I am not going to be at SummerSlam,” Cena announced. “This was a decision he made tonight.” Cena explained that he was emotionally exhausted from filming a movie and that it was best that he not compete at SummerSlam. He promised Rhodes a rematch down the line in Paris or Perth, but stated, “There is no way I can sign this contract for SummerSlam… this is what is best for business.”
"I am not going to be at SummerSlam."
WHAT DID HE JUST SAY?! 😳 pic.twitter.com/oxbFZn5ziF
— WWE (@WWE) July 19, 2025
A Forced Hand
As Cena thanked the crowd and prepared to leave, Cody Rhodes snapped. Rhodes attacked Cena, brawling with the champion around the ringside area and sending him into the ring apron. Cena briefly turned the tables, whipping Rhodes into the steel steps, but Rhodes quickly regained control.
After hitting Cena with the Undisputed WWE Championship belt, Rhodes put the champion on the announce table and hit a massive frog splash, sending Cena crashing through it. In the show’s closing moments, Rhodes dragged a stunned Cena back to the signing table, took the pen, and physically forced Cena’s hand to sign the contract. Rhodes then revealed the fine print: the championship match at SummerSlam will now be a Street Fight. Click here for complete WWE SummerSlam results.
https://x.com/WWE/status/1946391881694216517
Updated WWE SummerSlam 2025 Card
- Street Fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
- Singles Match for the WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Jade Cargill
- Tag Team Match: Randy Orton and Jelly Roll vs. Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul
- Singles Match for the World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther (c) vs. CM Punk
- Triple Threat Match for the Women’s World Championship: Naomi (c) vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Iyo Sky
- Singles Match for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch (c) vs. Lyra Valkyria
- Tag Team Match for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: The Judgment Day (Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez) (c) vs. Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss
- Steel Cage Match for the WWE United States Championship: Solo Sikoa (c) vs. Jacob Fatu
