Cody Rhodes and John Cena will come face-to-face on the final SmackDown before WrestleMania 41.

Ahead of their Undisputed WWE Championship match, the two have been trading barbs since Cena turned against Rhodes at Elimination Chamber. Tonight will mark the final promo opportunity for both before their Sunday night main event..

Also tonight, Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair will be the subject of two sit-down interviews. They are set to wrestle for the WWE Women’s Championship on night one of WrestleMania.

The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) are defending their WWE Tag Team titles against Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin) tonight. A six-woman tag bout is also set with Chelsea Green, Piper Niven & Alba Fyre taking on Zelina Vega, Kayden Carter & Katana Chance.

Plus, the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal will take place on SmackDown as well.

Tonight’s show is being held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Our live coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time — with the first hour of SmackDown airing commercial-free on USA Network.

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– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as shots of Las Vegas aired. Cody Rhodes, the Motor City Machine Guns, The Street Profits, Solo Sikoa, and Tama Tonga were shown backstage. LA Knight appeared out of nowhere and slammed Tonga’s arm into a car door.

– Seth Rollins’s music hit and Rollins walked out for the first segment.

The Seth Rollins segment

… Because all I wanted for my birthday was watching Seth Rollins cosplay as CM Punk with a promo that didn’t quite hit as hard as everyone hoped it would. Don’t get me wrong. Rollins was good here and his efforts were appreciated, but I simply can’t buy into these “the most important triple threat in the history of wrestling” superlatives. Maybe you can, and if you can, that’s great. I’m jealous. I’d love for this match and this story to grip my attention – and I’ve even tried to play along at various spots in its development – but I can’t get there. I hope they have something bombastic planned for how it all plays out Saturday night. Until then, this just felt like a rehashing of things we’ve all heard Rollins say multiple times already. The AEW reference got him a few cheap gasps from the live crowd, but anyone who’s been paying attention to Rollins both on and off TV has heard all of this before. On to tomorrow.

Rollins stood in the middle of the ring holding a microphone as the crowd sang his song. Rollins welcomed everyone to “Friday Night Rollins,” which doesn’t quite work as well as “Monday Night Rollins,” but so it goes. “CM Punk!” chants began and Rollins sat cross-legged in the middle of the ring, a la Punk. “OTC!” chants broke out. Rollins took the SmackDown cube off the microphone and said he wanted to start by talking about Punk.

Rollins said the reason Punk came back to wrestling was because everyone chanted his name for 10 years. Rollins said when Punk came back to the ring, “it wasn’t a WWE ring.” Rollins asked if Punk came back because everyone chanted his name or if someone else “wrote a big, fat check.” Rollins noted how Punk burned that bridge and came back to WWE and asked again if it was because the fans chanted Punk’s name. Rollins said no because Punk came back to WWE because WWE wrote him a “big, fat check,” and the crowd chanted “Big fat check!” Rollins said, “Tell me when I’m telling lies.”

Rollins called Punk a liar, a fraud and a coward. Rollins said say what you will about Roman Reigns, but Reigns doesn’t even pretend to care about the fans whereas Punk claims to care about the fans. Rollins said Reigns only cares about Reigns and Reigns is in the Reigns business. The crowd did the sing-songy “Roman, Roman Reigns!” bit. Rollins said Reigns knows nothing about sacrifice while Rollins knows everything about sacrifice. Rollins said the story between he, Reigns and Punk started 12 years ago and it started with Paul Heyman.

Rollins said Heyman brought Reigns, Rollins and Dean Ambrose into WWE to be a Shield for CM Punk. Rollins said every single night, he sacrificed everything he had in the ring to be that shield. Rollins said he didn’t get credit for that because everyone in the back wanted all the cameras on Reigns. Rollins said everyone said Reigns would be the next cash cow for WWE, he would be the “next John Cena.” Rollins said Punk took his ball and went home and Rollins heard some Punk chants while Rollins was making every show and sacrificing everything he had every night.

Rollins said it all came to a head last year at WrestleMania, when his knee was shredded and his stepdad was dying of cancer. Still, Rollins said he made it to Mania last year to be a shield to make sure Roman Reigns lost. “Thank you Seth!” chants broke out and the crowd sang Rollins’s song. Rollins said the story started 12 years ago and it will end tomorrow night “in the most important triple threat match in the history of this industry.” Rollins promised everybody he will lay everything on the line to make sure the business moves forward in the right direction. Rollins ended by saying, “That’s not a prediction; that’s a spoiler.”

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– Rey Fenix received a televised entrance for the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. A video package on Andre then aired. When the show came back to the ring, Nakamura received a televised entrance as well.

Andre The Giant memorial battle royal

There really isn’t much to say about this because you can take every single Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal ever, say whatever there is to say about that, cut, paste, and use it right here. I was pleasantly surprised to see Melo and Andrade work as the final two left because I loved that best-of-seven series they had (save for whatever the ending to it was supposed to be). Melo going over makes sense, though I’d really love to see the creative minds come up with something meaningful for Andrade to do after Mania. Considering the Gable/Fenix stuff … does this mean Fenix plays a role in Americano’s match vs. Mysterio this weekend? We shall see.

Carlito and R-Truth had a fun bit where Truth took a bite out of Carlito’s apple. Truth then eliminated Carlito and threw his apple at him. The Miz then eliminated Truth as a means to help Melo. Karrion Kross attacked Miz and Melo stepped in to break it up. Los Garza went to work on Fenix, but that led to Fenix eliminating both Berto and Angel. Santos Escobar looked angry about the whole thing. Grayson Waller and Austin Theory eliminated both members of Pretty Deadly.

Kaiser eliminated Tyler Bate with a shotgun dropkick to Bate’s midsection. As a result, Pete Dunne went to work on Kaiser. Santos Escobar proposed working with Fenix to eliminate Andrade, but instead, Fenix eliminated Escobar. The Creed Brothers eliminated Tozawa and Otis then clotheslined the Creed Brothers over the top to dispose of them. Otis was then eliminated. Otis attacked the Creeds outside of the ring. Andrade threw Waller to the floor. Andrade did the same to Theory. Andrade and Chad Gable had a moment and all the luchadores in the match attacked Gable and Fenix eliminated him.

Fenix and Kross exchanged chops and Dragon Lee eliminated Kross, which got some boos, considering how it’s Kross’s hometown (and people seem to like that guy these days). Lee ran into a knee from Nakamura and Nakamura eliminated Lee. Kaiser and Dunne fought on the apron and both safely returned to the ring before Dunne eliminated Kaiser. Miz and Melo were on the apron and Dunne did the finger spot on Melo. Miz saved Melo, but Dunne eliminated Miz.

The final five were Fenix, Dunne, Melo, Nakamura and Andrade. Melo eliminated Dunne and the final four stared at each other. They then brawled. Nakamura fired up, but missed a running knee. From there, Andrade dropkicked Nakamura off the top rope and out of the match. Melo and Andrade fought on the middle rope and Fenix tried to eliminate both of them to no avail. Melo then attacked Fenix. Fenix ran at Melo, but Melo placed Fenix on the apron. Fenix walked the ropes, but El Grande Americano appeared out of nowhere and eliminated Fenix.

The final two were Andrade and Melo. Tessitore referenced their seven-match series. Melo and Andrade countered each other’s moves and landed some clotheslines on each other. Andrade hit his spinning back elbow and both guys were down at about the 15 minute mark. Andrade set up for Three Amigos, but Melo blocked it and hit a cutter. The two battled on the second rope and Melo got the best of it, sending Andrade over the top for the win. The Miz came back to ringside to celebrate with Melo.

Match Result: Carmelo Hayes won the Andre The Giant memorial battle royal (15:30)

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– Wade Barrett interviewed Charlotte and asked why she thinks things got so ugly between her and Stratton. Charlotte took her time to respond and said she doesn’t love it and both she and Tiffy have chips on their shoulders. Now, though, people are invested in the Charlotte/Tiffy match and what matters most to Charlotte is that people now want to see Tiffy and Charlotte go at it. Charlotte said at the end of the day, that’s what the business is about. This was all they showed and I’m not sure if that means we’ll see more later or they just edited the hell out of the sit-down.

– Tama Tonga has been taken to a “local medical facility” after Knight’s attack in the parking lot earlier.

– Rhea Ripley was shown walking backstage and with about 10 minutes before the top of the hour, the show went to a commercial break, which I thought was not the plan? You stiffed us on 10 minutes, WWE. Keep your promises.

The Rhea Ripley/IYO SKY/Bianca Belair/Naomi/Jade Cargill segment

This was fun. Naomi is doing fantastic work as this unhinged friend scorned. I maintain that she plays a role in helping Belair win the title this weekend and then aligns with a heel Bianca Belair (first defense for Belair being … of course … Jade Cargill). Ripley is such a star, it’s great to watch her become more and more comfortable in that role. SKY, meanwhile, has played her role in this program perfectly along the way. I could be in the minority, but even if we all agree that this doesn’t need to be a triple threat and the money match was actually Ripley/Belair, SKY has made the most of her part. As she just sort of stood around while everyone brawled here, I couldn’t help but chuckle. I liked this segment a bit. Fast-moving. Wavering in and out of intensity. This was good.

Ripley took in a bunch of cheers once in the ring. She said this will be her sixth WrestleMania and each time, she’s walked into some sort of championship match. That said, this year’s is probably the most important to her, she argued. Ripley noted how she lost her women’s title before Mania and let Bianca Belair get the best of her. Ripley said she could make excuses and complain, but there’s no point in talking about the past. Ripley said she will do what she has to do to get back what she wants – that Women’s World Championship. Ripley said she will walk out of Mania a three-time champ. IYO SKY’s music hit and SKY made her entrance.

SKY went to talk and Bianca Belair’s music hit. Belair made her entrance. Belair entered the ring and started talking, but the crowd booed her. Belair asked SKY and Ripley if they really thought she wouldn’t show up. The boos got louder. Belair said tonight might be her last time on SmackDown for a while because at Mania, she will walk out as champion. Naomi’s music hit and Naomi stepped into the entranceway. Naomi confronted Belair about not talking to her. Naomi said she’s been calling and texting Belair, but she’s heard nothing in return. Naomi asked if their friendship means so little to Belair. Naomi said she wanted to handle things in private, but … and then Belair and Naomi talked over each other.

Naomi entered the ring and Belair said they weren’t going to do this right now. Naomi said tomorrow, she will finish what she started with Jade Cargill. On cue, Cargill’s music hit and Cargill walked to the ring with purpose. Cargill entered the ring and yelled at Belair off-mic. Naomi rolled out of the ring. Ripley stepped in and said it wasn’t about Cargill, but Naomi returned to the ring and everyone except SKY brawled. SKY just sort of stood there while the crowd chanted “IYO!” SKY then went to the top and landed an Over The Moonsault onto everyone in the floor to end the segment.

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– Rey Fenix was shown backstage and Chad Gable walked up and made fun of him for losing the battle royal. Dragon Lee walked in and told Gabe to shut up. Rey Mysterio showed up and told Gable Americano will learn some real lucha libre at WrestleMania. Mysterio challenged Gable and the Creeds to a six-man tag later in the show.

WWE World Tag Team Champions The Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns

What a stupid finish. The Profits, #DIY, MCMG … they all deserve better. Not only did they not make it on to the actual Mania card, but they were straddled with this waste of time. The action was good while it lasted, and I actually thought the pace was picking up nicely as the teams were finally starting to get the crowd behind them, but it was all for nothing. If there was ever a scenario for a justified multi-person tag match for the biggest PPV, it was the SmackDown tag division. Instead, nobody gets anything. It’s a shame.

MCMG jumpstarted the match as the Profits were posing during their entrance. When the match officially started, Shelley and Sabin worked a series of double-team moves on Ford until Ford powered out of everything and clotheslined Shelley and Sabin separately. Dawkins tagged in and landed his spinning splash on Sabin before tagging in Ford, who hit the assisted Blockbuster on Sabin, but Shelley broke up the pin attempt. Shelley went to fly, but Dawkins punched Shelley in the teeth. The show then went to a commercial break.

The show returned and Shelley tagged in Sabin, who fired up and took out both Profits, complete with a running apron kick to Dawkins. Sabin then hit a missile dropkick onto Ford. Shelley tagged in and worked a pair of double-team moves, including a dropkick Flatliner combo. Dawkins tagged in and threw Sabin, who was the legal man, for a two-count. Ford quickly tagged in and went to the top, but MCMG worked him over with a series of tandem moves again. Shelley went to the top, but Dawkins broke things up. Ford then hit a super-kick on Sabin and landed a dive on everyone over a ring post. #DIY then showed up and interfered, ending the match. Gargano and Ciampa got hold of the tag titles, stole them, and walked to the back.

Match Results: Street Profits vs. Motor City Machine Guns went to a no contest (8:35)

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– Nick Aldis ran into Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice. Green’s ladies served Aldis with papers, which addressed last week’s count-out loss. Aldis made a Green vs. Vega match for later with the Hervice barred from ringside.

– Ciampa and Gargano were shown trying to leave the arena with the tag titles, but Aldis stepped in and stopped them. The Profits showed up. Everybody shouted at each other. Aldis took the titles away from Ciampa and Gargano and Aldis made the match for SmackDown next week – a TLC match for the tag titles between the three teams.

The Randy Orton segment

Good fire from Orton. Short and sweet, which isn’t common for Randy Orton segments in the year 2025. The open challenge is probably the best way to go, but I was still holding out hope for an Aldis vs. Orton showdown. Either way, who you got? Rusev? Black? Mariah May? The speculation should be fun over the next 48 hours.

Orton reminded everyone that he doesn’t have an opponent for WrestleMania 41. Orton said he’s been around town all week and there is an excitement about WrestleMania everywhere. Orton referenced his dad being in the first Mania and said there’s no way in hell he will sit out this year’s Mania. Orton noted how this would be the 20th time he would compete at a WrestleMania. Orton said he will show up on Sunday, boots tied, baby oil on his skin, and he will be ready to deliver for the WWE Universe. He said he’ll do it for the fans, himself and the boys in the back.

Orton said if anyone wants to test their meddle, he dares them to step up. Orton said if anyone on the strip owns a pair of wrestling boots, he challenges them to step up. Orton said whomever it will be will fall victim to the three most dangerous letters in wrestling: R.K.O. Orton’s music hit to end the segment.

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– Footage from the McIntyre/Priest brawl at the Mania kickoff show aired.

– Byron Saxton interviewed Priest and Priest cut Saxton off, saying he wanted to send a message to McIntyre. Priest said McIntyre is not a victim – not yet. Priest said Drew isn’t ready for their fight this weekend. Priest said he will beat Drew so bad, “he will wish he was future-endeavored again.” Priest said he will bury McIntyre on Sunday.

WWE Women’s U.S. Champion vs. Zelina Vega in a non-title match

I’m glad they made this a one-on-one match instead of what had earlier been advertised as a six-woman tag and the pinfall victory caught me by surprise. So, all of that was good. The thing that bugs me is that this must mean Green won’t be featured on Mania at all (there have been rumors of a segment featuring her, but …). Chelsea Green deserves a WrestleMania moment. We can all agree on that, right? There would be lots of options for a mystery/impromptu opponent. Why not set aside some time for her? She’s earned it. Anyway, I suspect this means we’ll get Vega vs. Green for the women’s U.S. title sooner than later. This match was sort of meaningless outside of the fun the Vega and Green had with the count out situation from last week.

Green ran at Vega to jumpstart the match and kept up her offense in the early part of the match. Vega eventually kicked Green in the face, but Green came right back and landed a series of strikes on Vega before saluting the crowd. The action spilled outside and and Green sent Vega into the crowd barrier. Green instantly scolded the referee for counting her out, which was funny. Green ran at Vega and Vega backdropped Green into the timekeeper’s area. The women nearly missed the 10 count again and rolled into the ring at the same time to break it.

The two traded blows and the crowd cheered Green, booed Vega. Eventually, Vega fired up and took control, setting up for the 619, but Vega instead ran into a kick from Green, which earned Green a two-count. Green placed Vega on the top rope, but Vega fought back and hit a super Code Red from the top rope for a surprising win. Turns out, it was a non-title match, so … .

Match Result: Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green in a non-title match (3:34)

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– LA Knight made his entrance and started his promo by saying, “Let me talk to ya!” Knight said what happened last week was inspiration. This was why he attacked Tonga earlier. He now plans to take out Solo Sikoa so he can’t interfere at Mania this weekend in his match against Jacob Fatu. Knight said he walked into WWE and turned the world upside down. Knight said Fatu hasn’t seen anything like him and his U.S. title is the title of titles. Knight said someday, somewhere, Fatu will be a champion in WWE, but at Mania, Fatu will eat a BFT courtesy of LA Knight. Sikoa’s music then hit for the next match.

WWE U.S. Champion LA Knight vs. Solo Sikoa

I was a little disappointed this ended up being nothing more than a conduit to set up a tag match. Weirdly, I was kind of/sort of into the idea that Knight would take out Sikoa and Tonga before Mania so he could be assured there will be no interference for his bout against Fatu if only because it added a tiny wrinkle to Knight and Fatu’s story. Either way, this was all right for what it was. Knight and Sikoa aren’t lighting the world on fire with their in-ring work, so this served its purpose.

Knight jumpstarted the match and attacked Sikoa as he made his entrance. Sikoa fought back and ran Knight into the ring steps. The show then went to a commercial break. The show returned and Sikoa was working over Knight on the outside of the ring, complete with a suplex onto the apron. Back inside the ring, Sikoa lifted Knight, but Knight countered with a neck-breaker. Knight ran the ropes and Sikoa hit a knee to Knight’s midsection. Sikoa followed that up with a headbutt to Knight’s midsection.

Knight came off the middle rope, but Knight got the knees up to telegraph Sikoa. Knight fired up and landed a DDT. Knight went to the second rope, but Jacob Fatu showed up out of nowhere and attacked Knight. Braun Strowman’s music hit and Strowman hit the ring with a double cross-body on Sikoa and Fatu. Knight and Strowman cleared the ring. Nick Aldis walked out and made a tag team match on the spot – Knight and Strowman vs. Fatu and Sikoa.

Match Result: WWE U.S. Champion LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ (6:55)

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LA Knight & Braun Strowman vs. Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu

So much of this felt like it was lost to the picture-in-picture break – on top of that, the whole idea of a tag match here between these people felt useless in terms of heating anything up – but this got Strowman on the SmackDown before WrestleMania, at least. I continue to wonder if pairing Sikoa with Cody coming out of last year’s Mania was nothing more than a test to see how effective Cody can be in making a star out of nowhere. Considering how Sikoa isn’t on this year’s Mania card … perhaps the answer to that question isn’t all that flattering for either Cody or Solo. Either way, here we are. I just thank the wrestling gods that Kevin Owens wasn’t replaced with Solo Sikoa when it comes to what Randy Orton is doing this weekend … I hope?

The match started during a picture-in-picture and Fatu was working over Strowman as the show returned from break. Sikoa tagged in and kicked Strowman before he went into a head-lock. Fatu tagged in and kicked Strowman in the head and went to a modified chin-lock until Strowman lifted Faty and slammed Fatu. Knight received the hot tag and Sikoa tagged in as well. Knight went to the middle rope and hit his pop-up elbow from the top. Fatu broke up a pin attempt.

Strowman threw Fatu to the outside and went for the Strowman Express, but Fatu threw Strowman over the commentary table. Back inside the ring, Knight hit a BFT on Sikoa and got the win for his team.

Match Result: LA Knight & Braun Strowman defeated Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu (7:50)

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– A clip of the Wade Barrett/Tiffany Stratton sit-down interview aried. Barrett asked Stratton how and why her interview with Charlotte went off the rails. Stratton said she felt bullied and during the split-screen interview earlier this year, she wondered if she was up for the challenge. Tiffy said she gave Charlotte a taste of her own medicine and Charlotte doesn’t have to life Tiffy, but she has to respect her. Barrett asked Tiffy what will happen if Tiffy Time ends at Mania. Tiffy said that won’t happen and she’s aware it’s going to be a fight and she’s going to stand up to Charlotte, a bully. Tiffy said she will walk out of Mania as champion.

Rey Fenix, Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee vs. Brutus Creed, Julius Creed & Chad Gable

Oh, no. Mysterio went down before the mid-match break and we didn’t see him again. Not on the apron. Not involved in the action. Not anything. Then, to see how Fenix and Lee went directly to him on the outside of the ring after the match ended … let’s hope Mysterio still get his Mania spot (if not, it better be El Generico who steps in for him, but I digress). The match had some good action and innovation in a very basic WWE way, and as such, it was fine for what it was. I just hope Mysterio walked away from it feeling OK.

Fenix and Brutus started the match. They traded offense and Fenix hit a leaping elbow until he tagged in Dragon Lee, who dropkicked Brutus. Julius tagged in shortly thereafter. Lee worked over Julius and sent him to the outside, where Lee landed a dive. Back inside the ring, Lee hit a cross-body on Julius, but Chad Gable broke up the pin attempt. Rey Mysterio entered the ring and chased Gable around the ring. American Made ran over everyone and the three heels hit flying headbutts from the top rope on Lee at the same time. The show went to a commercial break after that.

Back from the break, Dragon Lee was taking punishment from American Made, complete with a Brutus Ball. Lee was perched on the top, but all three heels ended up hanging by their legs on the top rope. Lee hit a double stomp on all three of them. Fenix received the hot tag from Lee and hit a spinning kick on Julius. Fenix’s run was cut off via a Julius knee to the stomach. Julius followed that up with a belly to belly suplex. Julius ran into a super-kick from Fenix and things broke down as Fenix took out all of American Made.

Fenix went to the top and walked the top rope to kick Gable in the head. Lee landed Operation Dragon on Julius. Fenix followed that up with a Meteora from the top for the victory. Almost immediately after the bell rang, Fenix and Lee checked on Mysterio, who had been out of the match for a while and seemingly had a trainer checking on him.

Match Result: Rey Fenix, Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee defeated Brutus Creed, Julius Creed & Chad Gable (10:11)

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The Cody Rhodes/John Cena segment

The tension here was fabulous, even if that tension came from the fans and not necessarily from the wrestlers. It was clear that Cody (and/or the WWE writers) were prepared for crowds to turn on Cody and this was the first time during the build to Mania that it was so pronounced. Because of all this, Cody had some good rounds left in the chamber to fire and he landed those parting shots as good as he ever has or ever could. This was a nice go-home segment for the weekend’s biggest match. They left nothing on the table. My only problem: Wait … what’s up with The Rock?

Cody made his entrance first and received a mixed reaction from the fans. When it appeared Cody was going to talk, Cena’s music hit and the crowd kind of/sort of erupted. Loud “John Cena sucks!” chants broke out in tune with Cena’s music. Cena did the pouty face entrance thing. The crowd was up for all of it. “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks!” chants broke out and the crowd was hotter than they had been all night. Cody went to speak and Cena said, “Shut your mouth, kid.”

Cena said it will be his 20th Mania and 12th title match. Cena said Sunday will be the last time he ever competes in a WrestleMania ring. Cena said nobody has ever had the courage to end a career the way he is ending his career. Cena said what he is doing is so unprecedented, people don’t believe it. Cena said there is no such thing as a wrestling retirement because wrestlers are all scared, insecure losers. Cena said the second wrestlers get away from wrestling, they’re left with themselves and they come crawling back a shell of themselves. As such, Cena said he doesn’t need a single, damn one of the fans.

Cena said the only reason he wants Cody’s title is that he wants to take it away from Cody and all the fans forever. Cena said he didn’t tell Cody, “Good job, champ” at last year’s Mania and he will lose at this year’s Mania because Cody cares too much about the fans. Cena said he was out there to share one more thing before their match – when he won the Elimination Chamber, he knew it’d be impossible to beat Cody at Mania. In one moment, Cena said, Cody changed that with what he said to The Rock. Cena said he realized at Chamber that Cody doesn’t stand a chance. Cena said he will prove to the fans that they don’t matter.

Cena constantly used “them” and said Cody could accomplish anything he wants in life if he didn’t listen to “them,” but Cody is too weak too do that. Cena asked Cody if he’s going to “do what he thinks is right,” or does he win. Cena called Cody scared, insecure and naive. Cena said on Sunday, he will make Cody “someday who finally realizes that to become a winner, you have to sever ties with all the losers in your life.” Cena said Cody will realize he’s not the captain or quarterback; instead, he’s a kid in a man’s world who doesn’t have the balls of the last real champion.

Cody started to talk and the fans drowned him out with boos. Cody tried again and they booed louder. Cena said, “This is what you fight for?” Cody started up again and the crowd got louder. Cody asked Cena if he knew the guy who usually hands Cena a microphone. Cody said it’s a different WWE and Cena is overrated, overbearing and out of touch and out of time and Cena’s face is melting wax. Cody said Cena is “paler than Sting at Starrcade 97” and wow. Cody said it’s 2025 and Cena “still can’t wrestle.” The crowd loved all of this.

“You can’t wrestle!” chants broke out. The crowd went into the sing-songy Cody Rhodes chant. Cena called the crowd idiots. Cena said the fans are just like Cody – they don’t know what they want. Cena said on Sunday, he won’t have to wrestle and hit (patted?) Cody on the head. Cena lifted Cody, but Cody worked out of it and landed a CrossRhodes on Cena. Cody held up his title, again to mixed reactions from the live crowd, and pointed at the Mania sign. Cody’s music hit and Cody walked to the back. The show ended as the commentary crew ran down the Mania card and then Cody held his title in the air by the LED screens in the entranceway.