Two weeks after Rhodes forged Cena’s signature on the contract for what is now a street fight, Cena made an appearance in the opening segment of “SmackDown” ahead of SummerSlam. He couldn’t get a word out before he was interrupted by Rhodes, but when the men were face-to-face for the final time before their championship bout at “The Biggest Party of the Summer,” all Cena did was apologize. 

While many fans speculated the double turn at SummerSlam, Cena surprised fans by going back to his babyface ways ahead of the match. He thanked Rhodes and told him that Rhodes assaulting him and forging his signature on the match contract was the “boot in the a**” he needed. 

Cena admitted he made a mistake five months ago when he turned heel, “when he bought into someone’s idea of making shocking TV,” seemingly referencing The Rock. Cena admitted he never wanted to “ruin wrestling.” He said Rhodes was a good friend, because he forced him to face himself. Cena said that their street fight would force him to dig down and be who he really is. “The Leader of the Cenation” told fans to mark it down, that August 1, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey was the day that “John Cena came back to WWE.” Notably, due to reports about Travis Scott’s apparent falling out with WWE, Cena noted that he would be the only platinum rapper showing up to face Rhodes.

Rhodes and Cena toasted with a pair of beers in the ring before Cena celebrated with the fans. With Cena’s seemingly abrupt face turn on Friday, fans are left to speculate Rhodes’ fate, and if he’ll turn heel when he and Cena square off Sunday night for the Undisputed WWE Championship.