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John Cena Retains WWE Title in Chaotic Night of Champions Victory Over CM Punk

The Lead: Chaos Reigns as Cena Escapes with Title

In a finish that left Riyadh’s Kingdom Arena roaring, John Cena narrowly retained his Undisputed WWE Championship against CM Punk at Night of Champions 2025—but only after a storm of interference, thwarted cash-ins, and a brutal betrayal. The victory, sealed when John Cena pinned Punk after Seth Rollins smashed Punk with the Money in the Bank briefcase, extended Cena’s record 17th world title reign while deepening one of wrestling’s fiercest rivalries.

For Punk, it was cruel déjà vu: Rollins cost him a title shot for the third time in 18 months. For John Cena, it was another chapter in a heel run defined by “nefarious means”

The Stakes: A Decade-Old Rivalry Reignited

John Cena and CM Punk hadn’t clashed one-on-one since 2013, but their storied animosity burned hotter than ever. Cena, on a self-proclaimed “retirement tour,” vowed to retire as champion. Punk, seeking his first WWE title since 2013, aimed to expose Cena’s “hypocrisy” for booking their match in Saudi Arabia—a country Punk once criticized.

Punk softened his stance pre-match, telling fans: “I’ve never been to Saudi. I don’t hate it”. Yet Cena weaponized the location, taunting Punk: “This is where legacies crumble”

The Match: Near Falls, Ref Bumps, and Teased Redemption

For 26 minutes, John Cena and Punk traded iconic moves in a match blending technical mastery and raw emotion:

  • Punk’s Resilience: He kicked out of three Attitude Adjustments—a first in Cena’s career.
  • Cena’s Moment of Doubt: When John Cena grabbed the title belt to strike Punk, fans screamed “No!” He relented—a fleeting babyface tease—only for Punk to hit a GTS seconds later.
  • The Referee Debacle: Cena accidentally leveled ref Dan Engler with a shoulder tackle. Punk then landed a GTS for a visual pin (no official count), mirroring their 2011 MITB controversy.

“They were a step slower, but still created magic. That visual pin? Poetry.”
— Forbes

The Chaos: Rollins, Factions, and a Stolen Win

As Punk demanded a referee, Seth Rollins’ music erupted. With allies Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed, Rollins targeted Punk for a cash-in. But John Cena shocked everyone:

  1. He attacked backup ref Charles Robinson to block the cash-in.
  2. He AA’d Rollins, triggering a brawl involving Penta and Sami Zayn (who neutralized Breakker/Reed).
  3. Post-brawl, John Cena shook Punk’s hand—then aimed a low blow. Punk blocked it, but Rollins smashed him with the briefcase. Cena tossed Rollins out and pinned Punk.

Result: Cena retained via tainted victory (Grade: B+)

Why It Matters: Cena’s Heel Formula & SummerSlam Setup

John Cena’s win continued a troubling pattern:

  • Unclean Retentions: He’s now dodged clean losses against Cody Rhodes (WrestleMania 41), Randy Orton (Backlash), and Punk.
  • The Crowd’s Dilemma: Riyadh fans cheered Cena’s brief “face” moments, complicating his villain arc.

Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes won King of the Ring, earning a SummerSlam title shot against John Cena. As Forbes noted: “Rhodes will likely leave as champion. Cena’s reign is a bridge to that moment” 

Human Impact: Punk’s Fury & Cena’s Legacy Gambit

Post-match, Punk stared daggers at Rollins—teasing their feud’s revival. John Cena, meanwhile, inched closer to his goal: retiring as “the last real champion.” But as analyst Blake Oestriecher warned: “Fans are tired of tainted wins. Cena needs comeuppance”.

For Punk, the loss stung deeper. As one fan sign read: “Saudi Arabia got Punk’s apology… and his dreams”

Night of Champions 2025: Full Results

  1. Cody Rhodes def. Randy Orton (King of the Ring Final)
    • Rhodes teased heel tactics, targeting Orton’s back.
  2. Jade Cargill def. Asuka (Queen of the Ring Final)
    • Cargill earned a SummerSlam title shot.
  3. Solo Sikoa def. Jacob Fatu (U.S. Title)
    • Bloodline drama escalated with Tonga Loa’s return.
  4. Rhea Ripley def. Raquel Rodriguez (Street Fight)
    • Ripley survived Roxanne Perez’s interference.
  5. Sami Zayn def. Karrion Kross
    • Zayn won, but Kross’ momentum stalled

John Cena left Riyadh with gold, but questions loom: Can his heel act survive SummerSlam? Will Punk finally silence Rollins? And will Rhodes complete his story? As Night of Champions proved, WWE’s summer is built on chaos—and Cena’s grip on the throne is slipping.