With the Undisputed WWE Championship match at SummerSlam less than a month away, Cody Rhodes has adopted a new moniker for his impending clash with John Cena. On social media, Rhodes dubbed himself the “Nightmare King,” signaling a shift in his approach as he seeks to reclaim the title.
The path to this championship encounter was solidified when Rhodes won the 2025 King of the Ring tournament, defeating his former mentor Randy Orton in the finals at Night of Champions on June 28. This victory positioned him for a rematch against Cena, who ended Rhodes’ 378-day title reign at WrestleMania 41. The lead-up to that match saw Cena align with The Rock and Travis Scott, creating a significant challenge for Rhodes.
On the July 4 episode of SmackDown, the complex relationships continued to unfold. Orton, despite their recent rivalry, appeared to offer encouragement to Rhodes for his match against Cena. The segment was interrupted by a returning Drew McIntyre, who was quickly neutralized by an RKO from Orton.
Rhodes’ recent journey has shown a willingness to employ more aggressive tactics, notably during his victory over Orton. This, combined with Cena showing brief signs of a potential face turn after his title defense against CM Punk in Saudi Arabia, has fueled fan discussion about a possible double turn at SummerSlam. While the idea has gained traction, Rhodes has not publicly endorsed the notion of a full heel turn.
Following the August 2-3 premium live event, Rhodes may be taking a hiatus from WWE programming. Reports from early July indicate he is scheduled to begin filming the Street Fighter movie in Australia this August, where he has been cast as Guile. This marks another significant Hollywood role for Rhodes, who is also slated to appear in The Naked Gun reboot.