John Cena & Cody Rhodes Had 'Behind the Scenes Disagreement' Before WWE Feud

John Cena and Cody Rhodes are on the centre of considered one of WWE’s greatest rivalries in 2025, however their on-screen battle seems to be rooted in real-life rigidity from years in the past.

The feud between the pair has dominated WWE occasions all year long. It started with Cena’s heel flip and assault on Rhodes at Elimination Chamber and appeared to finish with a high-profile conflict at WrestleMania 41, the place the previous defeated the latter to seize a record-breaking seventeenth world title.

That second cemented Cena’s place in historical past and reignited debates about the place he ranks among the many all-time greats. For Rhodes, it was one other close to miss on the most important stage, persevering with his battle to lastly topple Cena.

Virtually 4 months on from WrestleMania 41, the rematch is on, and the rivalry isn’t lifeless.

The 2 are actually set for one more showdown at SummerSlam, and lots of anticipate the American Nightmare to get his revenge. A victory may mark the turning level in Cena’s character arc too, with hypothesis rising that the corporate will transition him again to his conventional good-guy position following months of enjoying a heel.

Away from the cameras, Rhodes lately admitted there had been friction between the 2 males throughout his first stint with WWE. Showing on Pardon My Take, he revealed: “We had this disagreement behind the scenes, he feels that I’m not genuine sufficient, or as genuine as he was.”

Although the strain was finally resolved, these phrases turned a speaking level throughout their storyline heading into WrestleMania earlier this yr. Rhodes additionally stated that he now feels totally snug in his identification, highlighting his accomplishments since returning to WWE in 2022. Regardless of these accomplishments, Rhodes has nonetheless by no means managed to place Cena down one-on-one, a indisputable fact that continues to loom over their rivalry.

The Rock to be Concerned at SummerSlam?

WWE Corridor of Famer, Mark Henry, thinks it may occur

There could possibly be extra intrigue to come back on this feud, if hypothesis from WWE Corridor of Famer Mark Henry proves appropriate. Talking on Busted Open Radio, Henry pointed to refined hints that The Rock could also be concerned at SummerSlam. He famous that Cena has repeatedly referred to “we”, saying: “There’s just one we: him and The Rock. Cody even known as him out.”

Even with Henry making a really legitimate level, there was no official affirmation that The Individuals’s Champion will seem on the occasion in any respect. The Rock famously performed a job in Cena’s surprising heel flip along with his “Ultimate Boss” persona at Elimination Chamber earlier this yr, however he has not been seen on WWE tv since.

The Rock stated on The Pat McAfee present that he’d made the choice to step away in order that Cena and Rhodes may have the highlight and that it might detract from Cena’s second of profitable his seventeenth world title. With the rivalry shifting onto a complete new degree, it could possibly be the proper time to reintegrate such a legendary determine who’s already had his half to play in such a long-running storyline.

With or with out The Rock, the echoes of that early backstage disagreement nonetheless linger. Cena’s early doubts about Rhodes’ authenticity have turn into a part of the story followers are watching unfold reside, mixing real-life historical past with on-screen drama. With Rhodes now decided to show himself not solely to the WWE Universe however to Cena himself, SummerSlam could possibly be the second the place previous grievances are lastly put to relaxation, or reignited on a scale we’ve hardly ever seen.