Cody Rhodes will likely face John Cena at SummerSlam. (Credit: Sydney Yonker/WWE via Getty Images)
At WWE Night of Champions 2025, Cody Rhodes punched his ticket to SummerSlam and a potential rematch against John Cena.
In the finals of the 2025 King of the Ring tournament and a true dream match for WWE fans, Rhodes defeated his former mentor Randy Orton via Cross Rhodes in a strong show-opener. Capping off a stellar match between two of WWE’s most beloved babyfaces, Rhodes was able to capitalize on Orton’s own decision to expose a turnbuckle to earn himself a WWE Championship match at SummerSlam in August.
Among the key highlights of the match were:
- Early on, Orton hit Rhodes with a massive superplex, but took the brunt of the move on his own lower back. As Rhodes began to target Orton’s back, he was surprisingly booed by the crowd, which chanted, “Let’s go, Randy!”
- Rhodes hit a Cody Cutter followed by an impressive avalanche Cody Cutter for a pair of close two-counts. Orton was able to turn things around with his classic draping DDT, which sent the crowd into a frenzy.
- Rhodes blocked an RKO attempt and blasted Orton with a Cross Rhodes for another nearfall as Rhodes continued to dominate “The Viper.” Rhodes hit the RKO out of nowhere, and though he didn’t get the pin, it helped him gained some much-needed momentum.
- Orton went for his signature punt and missed, allowing Rhodes to lock in the Figure Four leglock before Orton was able to get to the ropes.
- Rhodes went for another Cody Cutter off the ropes, but Orton countered with an epic RKO that shockingly only got two. A frustrated Orton grabbed a chair only for the referee to intervene, allowing Orton to expose a top turnbuckle. It backfired as Rhodes sent Orton into the exposed buckle, hit Orton with a Cross Rhodes and pinned him for the win.
Now, Rhodes is the 2025 WWE King of the Ring winner and slated for another major WWE title match at SummerSlam.
WWE Night of Champions 2025 Results for Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton
Cody Rhodes Defeats Randy Orton To Win King of the Ring Tournament
At WWE Night of Champions 2025, Orton and Rhodes battled in their first singles match since 2013, only this time with a shot at WWE’s most coveted title at stake, and the crowd was solidly behind Orton.
But Orton couldn’t get past his former protege.
For the second straight year, “The Viper” fell short in his quest to become WWE’s King of the Ring. In 2024, he also lost the finals of the KOTR tournament in an epic match with Gunther. This year, both Rhodes and Orton were hoping to pick up a major victory and earn another shot at John Cena or whoever is holding the WWE title come SummerSlam.
It was just last month at WWE Backlash 2025 that Orton lost to Cena under controversial circumstances, one month after Rhodes lost his WWE title to the newly heel Cena as well. But with WWE billing Orton vs. Cena as “One Last Time,” it became clear that Rhodes was likely going to win in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
And win, he did.
At WWE Night of Champions, Rhodes blasted Orton with a devastating Cross Rhodes finisher to win the King of the Tournament and secure a WWE Championship rematch at SummerSlam that could get Rhodes back on the WWE mountain top.
Cody Rhodes Vs. John Cena Rematch Likely For WWE SummerSlam 2025
Rhodes’ resounding victory over Orton at WWE Night of Champions 2025 seemingly confirmed what is coming at SummerSlam: Rhodes vs. Cena II.
WWE reportedly recently rejected The Rock’s creative pitch to turn Rhodes heel, with WWE officials noting the positive effect Rhodes has had on viewership, ticket sales and merchandise sales. Instead of Rhodes moving to the dark side, the most obvious direction for Rhodes is winning back the WWE title that he lost in controversial fashion at WrestleMania 41.
In fact, WWE is indeed planning on running back Rhodes vs. Cena at SummerSlam, though Cena must first get past CM Punk today at Night of Champions.
Cena’s widely criticized win over Rhodes at WrestleMania accomplished its goal of giving Cena his record-breaking 17th world title win. But Cena’s overall run as a villain has been, well, pretty bad, and the endgame of Rhodes’ character arc should be a second WWE title win at SummerSlam.
If Cena can defeat Punk as expected at Night of Champions 2025, then WWE should move full steam ahead with Rhodes vs. Cena and the recrowning of Rhodes as its top champion.
