Street Fight Stipuation Added To John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes Undisputed WWE Title Bout At WWE SummerSlam

John Cena and Cody Rhodes will battle in a street fight at WWE SummerSlam.

The bout was made official on the July 18th episode of WWE SmackDown when Cody and Cena, forcibly, signed the contract for the match.

In the closing segment of the show, Cody said that his father Dusty Rhodes and brother Dustin Rhodes were outlaws and that he always wanted to be just like them, but he got to be something different, he got to be the Undisputed WWE Champion.

Cody said he posted on social media “Do not flinch and thank you for riding with me,” noting it was overanalyzed. He said that “Do not flinch” was for him, saying he didn’t flinch when he faced the likes of Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Je Uso, and Randy Orton, and that he didn’t flinch when politics and The Final Boss came for his soul and for his spot, but he did flinch at WrestleMania 41 against John Cena.

He continued, saying WWE SummerSlam is one match for the rest of his life.

Cena made his way to the ring and said he had bad news, stating he would not be at SummerSlam. Cena said he was filming a big movie for Netflix and that he is emotionally exhausted, and that he talked with the higher ups and that it would be best if he did not compete at SummerSlam. Cena said Cody could have his rematch in Paris or Perth.

Cena said he couldn’t sign the contract in good faith, and it was a tough decision, but it is what is best for business. Cena said he wanted to give everyone fireworks, but physically and emotionally, this is all he could give everyone. Cena said Cody would get his rematch and then left.

Unhappy with Cena’s decision, Cody chased after Cena, leading to a fight on the outside. Back in the ring, Cena tried to hit Cody with the title, but Cody cut him off, gained possession of the title, and hit Cena with it.

Cody put Cena on the table and hit a top rope splash while holding the contract. He then forced Cena to sign the contract and stated it would be a street fight.

CODY SPLASHES CENA THROUGH THE TABLE IN A SUIT 😭😭😭#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/VGoE65afKn

— The Movement – Pro Wrestling (@TheMovementXx) July 19, 2025

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