
WWE Officially Announces John Cena vs Randy Orton for Final Time
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
John Cena has officially won the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41, meaning he is a record-breaking 17th time world champion.
While the victory was in controversial fashion, it marks a major point in his retirement tour, potentially setting up multiple matches with up-and-coming stars.
More Pro Wrestling: Released WWE Superstar Breaks Silence On Departure
But before that, Cena will have to deal with an old friend from his past.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: John Cena is introduced before his match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: John Cena is introduced before his match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.On this past Monday Night Raw, Cena explained to the audience why and how he planned to ruin professional wrestling. What he didn't expect was a surprise RKO from longtime rival Randy Orton.
On Friday Night SmackDown, the two met in the ring again, this time to hash things out verbally.
Orton explained that he couldn't let Cena ruin professional wrestling, something he has loved his entire life.
This promo eventually led to Cena officially accepting Orton's challenge for the Undisputed WWE Championship, meaning that they would face off against each other, likely for the last time, on May 10, 2025, at Backlash in St. Louis: Orton's hometown.
More Pro Wrestling: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match
Cena and Orton have a long history as rivals, dating back to when they were in WWE's former developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2001.
This match will mark the 22nd world title match these two have engaged in, including matches with other wrestlers. Of the 21 previous matches, Cena has won nine of the matches while Orton has won 10.
The dynamic for this final title match will be particularly interesting because the alignments have been reversed.
More Pro Wrestling: Charlotte Flair Wanted A Different WWE Ring Name
Cena has long been one of the most beloved heroes of WWE while Orton served as his arch villain, doing things like blowing up Cena with fireworks and punting his father in the head.
John Cena to Randy Orton at Backlash: pic.twitter.com/qfRpoHrGAa — Wrestling Pics & Clips (@WrestleClips) April 26, 2025
Now, Cena has lived long enough to see himself become the villain while Orton is seen as a beloved figure and family man who isn't afraid to get the job done in the ring.
For WWE fans who grew up during the 2000s, this will be a match made in heaven.
More Pro Wrestling: Bayley May Be Leaving WWE: Report
AJ Styles Was Not Happy With WWE WrestleMania Match
For more WWE and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Newsweek
Ozzy Osbourne's Hilarious F1 Interview With Brundle Resurfaces After His Death
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former Formula One driver and presenter Martin Brundle's hilarious grid walk interview with Ozzy Osbourne from the 2003 Canadian Grand Prix has resurfaced online after Osbourne passed away on July 22nd in the UK. Osbourne was the lead singer of the heavy metal group Black Sabbath, whose battle with Parkinson's disease since 2019 was no secret. He performed with his band for the last time on July 5, marking the end of an era. A crowd of 40,000 fans watched him in Birmingham, with the concert raising £140 million (approximately $190 million), reportedly for charity. Brundle's grid walk interviews with celebrities have been unexpected at times, given the hustle and bustle on the grid just before a grand prix. A video of him approaching Osbourne on YouTube has had fans laughing and paying tribute to the late celebrity. The video shows Brundle trying to make his way through the crowd to reach Osbourne before calling him a "fruitcake." He said: British rock star Ozzy Osbourne chats with Scottish race car driver Jackie Stewart of Jaguar before the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, on June 15, 2003 in Montreal, Canada. British rock star Ozzy Osbourne chats with Scottish race car driver Jackie Stewart of Jaguar before the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, on June 15, 2003 in Montreal, Canada."I want to have a word with this guy because he's an utter fruitcake, as we all know, and we love watching him on TV." When Brundle does manage to reach him, he asks: "Ozzy, British TV. Good to see you here. "Sharon (Osbourne's wife) had some good news this week, I hear." Osbourne's reply was incomprehensible to Brundle, but he likely said: "I'm good in currently we're writing a musical about the life and times of Rasputin the mad monk, and we just got allowing it to go on Broadway." Brundle replied swiftly, "All right, I'll try and think of a question for that answer. Did you bring the dogs with you?" Osbourne replied: "No they're all at home "sh*tt*ng." Brundle smiled and walked away, saying: "Excellent, thank you very much. I think we'll move on now." Given Osbourne's replies, it is unclear if he was suffering with his well known health conditions or if he was having some fun with Brundle. Fans have reacted to the video, remembering Osbourne after his passing. Some comments are quoted below: A teary-eyed fan: "I'm going to miss him. RIP Ozzy <3" A fan's last tribute: "ALL HAIL THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS!!!! 🦇👑" This fan had an explanation: "Brundle wants to talk to Ozzy because he thinks Ozzy will make a fool of himself. Brundle asks about whats new. Ozzy tells about whats new. Brundle pretends to not have asked about whats new, then preceeds to make fun of Ozzy. Ozzy tells Brundle off in a slightly more polite way than he needs to. Brundle walks away, saying this wasnt very interesting." [sic] Our thoughts are with the Osbourne family at this difficult time.


Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Newsweek
Drew McIntyre Reveals Something Vince McMahon Refused To Let Him Do
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Drew McIntyre has offered a detailed and fascinating comparison between the creative processes of former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and current Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque. Speaking on the Impaulsive podcast, the former WWE Champion explained how the change in leadership has allowed him to develop a more complex and authentic character. McIntyre described Triple H's approach as more "modern thinking," which contrasts sharply with Vince's more singular and protective vision for his character. Vince's "Warrior" McIntyre explained that under McMahon's creative direction, his character was often presented in a more traditional, one-dimensional "warrior" archetype. He believes Vince's vision for him was meant to be protective, but it ultimately became limiting. "For Vince, I think for me, personally, he had a certain image of me, and he was always looking to protect me as this warrior character," McIntyre said (H/T to "And if I want to try something outside the box and stuff I'm doing now, like, for me personally, it probably wouldn't happen just because he was like, 'No, this is my Drew. This is my warrior. This is how I see it.'" This singular vision dates back to McIntyre's first WWE run, when McMahon personally dubbed him "The Chosen One," a label that ultimately failed to connect with the audience and led to his eventual release from the company. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 24: Drew McIntyre speaks while wearing CM Punk's bracelet during Monday Night RAW at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JUNE 24: Drew McIntyre speaks while wearing CM Punk's bracelet during Monday Night RAW at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on June 24, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. WWE/Getty Images More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match Creative Freedom With Triple H Under the creative direction of Triple H, McIntyre feels he has been given the freedom to be himself and explore more nuanced aspects of his personality. This has led directly to his current, critically acclaimed character who often blurs the line between heel and babyface. "Hunter is very much of the modern thinking," he explained. "We're going to try something different. We're going to let you... be yourself, and let this personality that he knew I had shine." He pointed to the success of The Bloodline saga as the prime example of the deep, layered storytelling that is now flourishing in WWE. "WWE shouldn't be black and white," McIntyre said. "We can grow these deep, layered, complex characters... I've been able to develop this McIntyre character where people know me inside and out." Learning From A Legend During the conversation, McIntyre also shared a classic story about receiving some cryptic but valuable advice from The Undertaker when he was a young superstar. He recalled asking for feedback after a match and being told something he didn't understand for years. "He was like, 'Stop playing the wrestler and be the wrestler,'" McIntyre recalled The Undertaker saying. "What the f--- does that mean?... It took so long to realize, 'Oh, he's saying, I'm trying too hard. I'm not present.'" More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.

Epoch Times
5 hours ago
- Epoch Times
Fox Nation Acquires TV Rights to Hulk Hogan's ‘Real American Freestyle' Wrestling League
Fox Nation is getting into the ring with Hulk Hogan, signing a deal to become the exclusive broadcast partner of Real American Freestyle, the WWE Hall of Famer's wrestling league. The on-demand streaming service, a companion to the Fox News Channel, announced the new deal on Monday, revealing it will air the league's inaugural matchup event, 'RAF01,' scheduled for Aug. 30 at the Wolstein Center in Cleveland, Ohio.