John Cena made history on April 20, 2025, by winning his 17th world championship at WrestleMania 41. The event took place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, where Cena faced off against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. With this victory, Cena surpassed the legendary Ric Flair, who also has 16 world titles.
The match was intense and showcased Cena’s new heel persona. He leaned into this role, especially during the match’s climax. Travis Scott, the popular rapper, made a surprise appearance to assist Cena. After Rhodes kicked out of Cena’s fourth Attitude Adjustment, Scott pulled the referee out of the ring, preventing Rhodes from winning. Cena then attempted to use the championship belt as a weapon. Although Rhodes blocked the first attempt, Cena ultimately struck him with the belt, securing the victory.
This win was significant for Cena, marking his first televised singles victory since defeating Triple H at the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018. It also ended Rhodes’ impressive reign as champion, which lasted 378 days. Cena’s victory comes two decades after he first claimed the WWE Championship against JBL at WrestleMania 21 in 2005.
In the post-match press conference, Cena continued to embrace his heel character. He expressed a desire to improve his relationship with the media but quickly turned the conversation to his disdain for "clickbait questions." He ended his remarks with a provocative statement, urging fans to tune into Monday Night Raw to see how he plans to "ruin wrestling."
Cena’s journey to this title has been marked by a dramatic storyline where he distanced himself from the WWE audience, describing it as an "abusive relationship." He portrayed Rhodes as someone who brought mediocrity to a championship he helped elevate over the years. Cena has announced his intention to retire at the end of the year after 25 years in the wrestling world, and he aims to leave as the champion, forcing others to chase after what he considers a "toy belt."
Looking ahead, Cena’s victory sets the stage for potential future matches, including a possible showdown with Randy Orton, who has 14 world titles and may be looking to narrow the gap. This historic win not only cements Cena’s legacy but also adds an exciting chapter to the ongoing narrative in WWE.