Just days after a chaotic and violent confrontation with John Cena on SmackDown, Cody Rhodes has added a new layer of intrigue to their rivalry. On the morning of July 21, Rhodes posted a simple, two-word message to his X account: “10am EST.” The post offered no further context, sparking widespread speculation among fans about what The American Nightmare has planned next.
The cryptic tease follows the dramatic closing segment of the July 18 edition of SmackDown. During the contract signing for their SummerSlam main event, John Cena attempted to back out of the match, telling the audience he was emotionally and physically exhausted and had filming commitments. Cena suggested a future match in a location like Paris or Perth, but Rhodes was not interested in waiting.
After Cena refused to sign, Rhodes snapped. He launched a vicious assault on the champion, throwing him into the steel steps before bringing him back to the ring. When Cena attempted to use the championship belt as a weapon, Rhodes countered, hitting Cena with the title himself. He followed up with a top-rope splash while holding the contract binder, then physically forced Cena’s hand to sign the document, making their SummerSlam match official.
This confrontation is rooted in a rivalry that has defined much of 2025. Rhodes has been relentlessly pursuing a rematch after losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cena at WrestleMania 41 in a match that ended in controversy. He secured his title opportunity by winning the 2025 King of the Ring tournament, earning a mandatory championship match at SummerSlam.
Following the brutal signing, Rhodes revealed the contract included a significant stipulation: the match will now be a Street Fight. This removes disqualifications and count-outs, escalating the intensity of their encounter. The aggressive tactics used by Rhodes have also led to speculation about a potential “double turn,” with his character showing a more ruthless edge while Cena discusses his “farewell tour.”
The match is set to be the main event of the first-ever two-night SummerSlam, which will take place at MetLife Stadium on August 2 and 3. For now, however, the wrestling world waits to see what will happen at 10am EST.