The Road Ahead: WWE's Post-SummerSlam Landscape and the Trajectories of Cena, Rhodes, and Rollins into 2025.

WWE’s recent SummerSlam event, a landmark two-day spectacle, established itself as a pivotal moment in the promotion’s annual calendar, drawing parallels to the grandeur and narrative significance typically reserved for WrestleMania. The event, marked by a series of high-profile matches and unexpected developments, has laid a clear foundation for WWE’s creative direction heading into the autumn and winter months, ultimately influencing the landscape for Survivor Series and beyond into 2025. Key among the evening’s outcomes were Cody Rhodes’ successful bid to reclaim the Undisputed WWE Championship, Brock Lesnar’s impactful return and decisive victory over John Cena, and Seth Rollins’ capture of another world championship at the expense of longtime rival CM Punk. While WrestleMania traditionally serves as a spiritual season finale, SummerSlam 2024 has unequivocally charted a defined course for the company’s top-tier talent in the immediate future. Following these significant events, analysts are now mapping the potential trajectories for three of WWE’s most prominent figures—John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins—as they navigate the competitive landscape towards Survivor Series and the subsequent challenges of the new year.

John Cena’s Illustrious Farewell Tour Continues with High-Stakes Rivalries

John Cena, a figure synonymous with WWE for two decades, appears to be firmly positioned within a narrative arc focused on solidifying his legacy through a series of high-profile encounters. The promotion has evidently moved past any ambiguous "villainous" or transitional phases for Cena, opting instead to present him as the revered 17-time world champion embarking on what is widely perceived as his definitive retirement tour. The immediate future for Cena involves a rekindled rivalry with Brock Lesnar, ignited by Lesnar’s shocking and controversial return at SummerSlam. Lesnar’s unprovoked assault on Cena mirrored his impactful 2012 return to WWE, which similarly saw him target Cena in a brutal fashion, establishing an immediate and intense program. This historical parallel suggests WWE’s intent to lean heavily into established narratives, potentially culminating in an Extreme Rules match, a stipulation that would align with the raw, physical nature of their previous encounters. Given Cena’s increasingly limited schedule, with fewer appearances expected annually, any program stretching beyond the immediate post-SummerSlam period would necessitate careful planning to maximize its impact.

Cena has systematically addressed a significant portion of his career’s "farewell checklist," engaging with contemporaries and successors alike. Notable recent encounters include his long-awaited clash with CM Punk, a renewed rivalry with Randy Orton, and a critical passing-of-the-torch moment with Cody Rhodes. As his in-ring career approaches its conclusion, several other pivotal matchups remain on the horizon. A confrontation with Roman Reigns, the current Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, is widely considered unavoidable. Their intertwined history, particularly their previous encounters and the narrative implications of a true "passing of the torch" from one era’s dominant figure to the next, positions this as a monumental event. Furthermore, revisiting his acclaimed 2016 feud with AJ Styles, a series of matches lauded for their in-ring quality and storytelling, would undoubtedly be a treat for long-time fans, potentially culminating in a trilogy. The most ambitious, and perhaps most challenging, blockbuster scenario remains a third match with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. While such an event carries immense global appeal and financial potential, its realization is heavily contingent on Johnson’s demanding schedule outside of WWE. Following Survivor Series, the narrative strongly suggests that Cena will transition fully into his role as a torchbearer, stepping away from regular competition to make way for the next generation.

Related News :

Cody Rhodes’ Undisputed Reign Navigates a Complex Path

Cody Rhodes’ tenure as the Undisputed WWE Champion following SummerSlam has been characterized by a "workhorse" mentality, with his initial reign earning plaudits for delivering exceptional matches rather than intricate, long-form storylines. This approach, while showcasing Rhodes’ undeniable in-ring prowess, has inadvertently led to a somewhat muddled strategic path for his championship defense in the coming months. WWE’s challenge lies in carefully planning his journey, particularly as many of his most compelling potential challengers are currently embroiled in other significant feuds. John Cena’s commitment to his program with Brock Lesnar, and Seth Rollins’ new championship reign creating a wide array of distractions for other top stars, effectively remove two high-profile opponents from Rhodes’ immediate title picture.

Looking towards upcoming premium live events, Drew McIntyre emerges as a strong candidate for a championship challenge at the rumored Clash in Paris event. McIntyre, known for his aggressive style and recent resurgence, presents a credible threat, potentially with the added involvement of Logan Paul, whose influence often complicates championship scenarios. Should Aleister Black successfully overcome his current rivalry with Damian Priest, he would represent a fresh and compelling challenger for Rhodes. Black’s unique character and highly technical in-ring style are well-suited to produce a fantastic match with Rhodes, offering a different dynamic than many of Rhodes’ previous opponents. A third encounter between Rhodes and Cena, while possessing significant narrative weight as a definitive "passing of the torch" moment, appears unlikely to occur before Survivor Series. The promotion may opt to reserve such a monumental event for a later date, perhaps towards the end of the calendar year or early 2025, allowing both narratives to develop independently. Consequently, Rhodes’ immediate options for high-stakes championship defenses largely involve either integrating him into existing storylines, potentially requiring him to navigate complex alliances and rivalries, or strategically extracting a currently busy top-tier talent for a championship program. This situation underscores the intricate booking challenges inherent in maintaining the prestige and momentum of an Undisputed WWE Champion in a highly competitive roster.

Seth Rollins’ Dominant Faction Forges Uneasy Alliances

Seth Rollins’ acquisition of the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam, reportedly achieved through contentious means at the expense of CM Punk, has firmly established Rollins and his burgeoning faction as the dominant force on Monday Night Raw. This collective, which has steadily accumulated enemies since WrestleMania, is poised to maintain its stronghold through the winter months. The current creative direction within WWE suggests a return to traditional Survivor Series elimination matches, moving away from the "WarGames" stipulation that has characterized recent iterations of the event. These traditional matches, typically featuring teams of four or five competitors, necessitate the formation of alliances, a strategic imperative that Rollins and his associates will undoubtedly exploit to their advantage. Rollins’ newfound dominance and the methods employed to secure his championship are expected to provoke a substantial reaction, leading to the formation of an uneasy alliance among many of WWE’s top stars who share a common adversary in Rollins’ faction.

A formidable list of potential opponents is already aligning against Rollins’ group. CM Punk, still reeling from his championship loss, is a primary antagonist. Roman Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, could be drawn into the fray, potentially due to inter-brand conflict or a shared disdain for Rollins’ tactics. Popular figures such as LA Knight and Jey Uso, both of whom have significant momentum and a history of challenging authority figures, are also currently feuding with elements of Rollins’ faction, making them prime candidates for an opposing alliance. Speculation is mounting regarding a potential blockbuster, top-heavy main event for Survivor Series. In such a scenario, the recently returned Brock Lesnar, whose unpredictable nature and immense power make him a wild card, could be roped into the opposing side. Lesnar’s complex history, particularly his past association with Paul Heyman, could provide a narrative hook, even if Heyman’s current allegiance is with Reigns. The inclusion of John Cena and/or Cody Rhodes in such an opposing super-team would elevate the stakes considerably, creating a monumental clash of eras and championship contenders. Until such a grand alliance is formally forged, analysts anticipate Rollins will continue to employ every strategic tool and tactical advantage at his disposal to retain his World Heavyweight Championship against his numerous and increasingly unified rivals.