We come to our WrestleMania Sunday main event for the Undisputed WWE Championship!
Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena has dominated the WWE landscape since Cena’s (somewhat) surprise heel turn at Elimination Chamber this past March. Since then, we’ve seen a whole different side to the man from West Newbury. When Cena took the mic in Brussels, we saw a completely different man than the one we’d seen before March. Cena was frustrated by the fact that, despite his loyalty and service, the fans consistently showed disdain for him. Cena hated the “You Can’t See Me” meme. Cena hates that everything that he’d worked for—sixteen titles and two decades of service—was now being undermined and rewritten by the man he now faces: Cody Rhodes.
For Rhodes, this is an opportunity to finally dispel any doubts about his qualities as a champion. Cena had made his point clear early in his face-offs with Rhodes: “Every day, that championship gets heavier, and it’s becoming too heavy for you to carry.” But Rhodes believes he can continue to carry the weight. After finally finishing his story at WrestleMania last year, Rhodes lived up to the hype of the “We Want Cody” movement, including classic matches against AJ Styles, Gunther, and Kevin Owens. However, the cracks are beginning to form for the “American Nightmare.” While Rhodes has been able to stand up to Cena on the mic, some worry that Cody’s rally was too little, too late.
Tonight, Rhodes faces his most dangerous opponent: a John Cena with his last chance at glory and nothing left to lose. If Cena wins, he will have the all-time world title record in WWE with 17 reigns and a potential claim as the “last real champion.” If Cody wins, the Cena retirement tour concludes with no championship to take away from the fans.
Make no mistake, we are on the verge of witnessing history. Welcome to the main event.
FINISH
Here is your winner, and the NEW Undisputed WWE Champion, John Cena!
It’s happened once again. For the 17th time in his illustrious career, John Cena is a world champion, surpassing Ric Flair’s total championship count of 16 and solidifying Cena as the greatest to ever do it.
Make no mistake– this match was not won clean. The referee was not present to see Cena low blow Rhodes and hit him with the title belt, but what mattered was the three count to end the match. A controversial moment ends Cena’s time at the Grandest Stage of Them All.
For Rhodes, the title run is over, and he must now wake up without his championship for the first time since WrestleMania XL.