John Cena uses dirty tactics to beat Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, wins historic 17th WWE title

WrestleMania 41 fans packed the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for Night 2. After Ava Max wrapped the national anthem, they started with "USA" chants.

LAS VEGAS – There was a palpable difference in the way John Cena entered his WrestleMania 41 match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship on Sunday night.

No colors, no hustle, loyalty and respect and nothing that represented what Cena had built in WWE for his entire career. Instead, it was black and white. It was just John Cena and his pursuit of a 17th WWE championship.

Cena’s music shook Allegiant Stadium as he walked toward the ring. He held up a towel behind him that read, "the last time is now." Boos rained down from the rafters as if the Las Vegas Raiders blew a playoff game. 

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John Cena is introduced prior to his match against Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship during WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium on April 20, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

He may not have wanted any part of Rhodes in the beginning of the match, avoiding entanglements and waiting for the right moment to strike. He did things a typical Cena didn’t do – big boots, stiff clotheslines and mudhole stomps.

The match turned into a dogfight. Rhodes and Cena going punch for punch in a rivalry that brewed since Cena aligned with The Rock at Elimination Chamber. 

The fans? Split. Dueling chants of "Let’s go Cena" and "Cena sucks" rang out throughout the stadium. 

Cena at one point couldn’t help himself. He tried the Five Knuckle Shuffle but got caught with a poke in the eye from Rhodes. The tables turned. Rhodes hit a Disaster Kick and a Cody Cutter. 

Cena caught Rhodes with an Attitude