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John Cena vs. Randy Orton: Backlash 2025 Epic Showdown


 On May 10, 2025, the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, erupted as WWE Backlash delivered a historic main event: John Cena defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against hometown hero Randy Orton. Billed as “One Last Time,” this clash marked the 24th singles encounter between two of WWE’s most iconic superstars, capping a rivalry spanning over two decades. With 31 combined world titles, the stakes were monumental, and the match lived up to its hype, blending nostalgia, drama, and chaotic twists.

On May 10, 2025, the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, erupted as WWE Backlash delivered a historic main event: John Cena defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against hometown hero Randy Orton. Billed as “One Last Time,” this clash marked the 24th singles encounter between two of WWE’s most iconic superstars, capping a rivalry spanning over two decades. With 31 combined world titles, the stakes were monumental, and the match lived up to its hype, blending nostalgia, drama, and chaotic twists. The atmosphere was electric as Orton, “The Viper,” entered to a thunderous ovation, his signature “Voices” theme echoing through the sold-out crowd of 17,155. Cena, embracing his heel persona as the “Last Real Champion,” drew boos, leaning into his controversial 17th title reign after dethroning Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. The psychological warfare began early—Cena offered a handshake, only to poke Orton’s eye, a move Orton reciprocated, setting the tone for a gritty, personal battle. The nearly 30-minute bout was a masterclass in storytelling, paced methodically to reflect the veterans’ seasoned styles. Early exchanges saw Orton dominate, landing 20 punches in the corner as St. Louis counted along. Cena, ever the antagonist, attempted to flee, but Orton dragged him back, refusing to let the champion escape. The match built to a crescendo with signature moves—Orton’s draping DDT and Cena’s Five Knuckle Shuffle—each countered with precision, showcasing their unmatched chemistry. Mid-match, the action intensified. Cena’s Attitude Adjustment was met with Orton’s RKO in a simultaneous strike that left both men reeling. The crowd roared as Orton set up his punt kick, only for Cena to dodge and deliver another Attitude Adjustment. Three referee bumps added chaos, with Orton capitalizing by sending Cena through the announcers’ table with an Attitude Adjustment of his own. In a wild moment, Orton unleashed RKOs on SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and multiple officials, the St. Louis crowd erupting at his unhinged fury. The turning point came when R-Truth, inexplicably tied to Cena’s storyline, ran in to plead for his “childhood hero.” Orton floored Truth with an RKO, but the distraction allowed Cena to land a low blow and a belt shot to Orton’s head. As a referee crawled back, Cena pinned Orton at 27:49, retaining the title in controversial fashion. Post-match, Cena’s heel antics continued, putting Truth through a table at the press conference, cementing his mission to “ruin wrestling.” Despite the overbooked finish, the match earned praise as one of 2025’s best, with analysts noting its emotional weight and unique spots. Orton, at 45, proved he remains a top-tier performer, while Cena’s heel run, though divisive, added fresh layers to his legacy. The R-Truth interference drew criticism for diluting the rivalry’s gravitas, but Cena’s post-match promo, declaring he “needs competition,” opened doors for future challengers like CM Punk or Bron Breakker. Backlash 2025 wasn’t just a match—it was a celebration of Cena and Orton’s enduring impact. From their 2002 Ohio Valley Wrestling bout to this St. Louis spectacle, their rivalry has defined WWE’s modern era. While Cena walked away champion, Orton’s hometown heroics ensured he left with the crowd’s adoration, proving “The Viper” still strikes with lethal precision.
John Cena vs. Randy Orton: Backlash 2025 Epic Showdown

The atmosphere was electric as Orton, “The Viper,” entered to a thunderous ovation, his signature “Voices” theme echoing through the sold-out crowd of 17,155. Cena, embracing his heel persona as the “Last Real Champion,” drew boos, leaning into his controversial 17th title reign after dethroning Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. The psychological warfare began early—Cena offered a handshake, only to poke Orton’s eye, a move Orton reciprocated, setting the tone for a gritty, personal battle.


The nearly 30-minute bout was a masterclass in storytelling, paced methodically to reflect the veterans’ seasoned styles. Early exchanges saw Orton dominate, landing 20 punches in the corner as St. Louis counted along. Cena, ever the antagonist, attempted to flee, but Orton dragged him back, refusing to let the champion escape. The match built to a crescendo with signature moves—Orton’s draping DDT and Cena’s Five Knuckle Shuffle—each countered with precision, showcasing their unmatched chemistry.

John Cena vs. Randy Orton: Backlash 2025 Epic Showdown
John Cena vs. Randy Orton: Backlash 2025 Epic Showdown

Mid-match, the action intensified. Cena’s Attitude Adjustment was met with Orton’s RKO in a simultaneous strike that left both men reeling. The crowd roared as Orton set up his punt kick, only for Cena to dodge and deliver another Attitude Adjustment. Three referee bumps added chaos, with Orton capitalizing by sending Cena through the announcers’ table with an Attitude Adjustment of his own. In a wild moment, Orton unleashed RKOs on SmackDown GM Nick Aldis and multiple officials, the St. Louis crowd erupting at his unhinged fury.


The turning point came when R-Truth, inexplicably tied to Cena’s storyline, ran in to plead for his “childhood hero.” Orton floored Truth with an RKO, but the distraction allowed Cena to land a low blow and a belt shot to Orton’s head. As a referee crawled back, Cena pinned Orton at 27:49, retaining the title in controversial fashion. Post-match, Cena’s heel antics continued, putting Truth through a table at the press conference, cementing his mission to “ruin wrestling.”

John Cena vs. Randy Orton: Backlash 2025 Epic Showdown
John Cena vs. Randy Orton: Backlash 2025 Epic Showdown

Despite the overbooked finish, the match earned praise as one of 2025’s best, with analysts noting its emotional weight and unique spots. Orton, at 45, proved he remains a top-tier performer, while Cena’s heel run, though divisive, added fresh layers to his legacy. The R-Truth interference drew criticism for diluting the rivalry’s gravitas, but Cena’s post-match promo, declaring he “needs competition,” opened doors for future challengers like CM Punk or Bron Breakker.

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Backlash 2025 wasn’t just a match—it was a celebration of Cena and Orton’s enduring impact. From their 2002 Ohio Valley Wrestling bout to this St. Louis spectacle, their rivalry has defined WWE’s modern era. While Cena walked away champion, Orton’s hometown heroics ensured he left with the crowd’s adoration, proving “The Viper” still strikes with lethal precision.

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