Cody Rhodes Fires Back at John Cena’s “Last Real Champion” Comment with Ice Cold Confidence

John Cena stirred the pot at WrestleMania 41 when he declared himself the “last real champion” after capturing the Undisputed WWE Title. But that reign didn’t last long—Cody Rhodes reclaimed the gold at SummerSlam, and now he’s directly responding to Cena’s bold claim.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, Rhodes was asked if he felt Cena’s comment undermined his current run as champion. Without hesitation, Cody shut it down—and showed zero signs of being rattled by the 16-time world champion’s words.

“No. I’m so excited to be part of John Cena’s final run. My gosh, the end is so special to see, and to see a guy who’s never been so polarizing in his career.”

Rhodes took it a step further, predicting the upcoming crowd in Indianapolis will blow the roof off when Cena appears.

“I think Indianapolis will be louder than France was in terms of energy for John Cena. He can call himself the last real champ as long as I’m the actual champ.”

Cena’s self-declaration during his farewell tour has caught the attention of fans worldwide, especially since Rhodes is now solidifying himself as one of WWE’s most consistent and defending champions. But instead of sparking drama, Rhodes leaned into appreciation for Cena’s legacy—while subtly reminding everyone who wears the gold right now.

This isn’t the first time Rhodes has spoken about the pressure that came with his initial run. He’s admitted it was hard to enjoy the first reign because of the weight of expectations. Now, he’s clearly in a groove and more comfortable in his skin as the face of WWE.

Cody’s reply proves he’s not interested in petty title talk—he’s focused on defending his legacy in real time.

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