John Cena and Randy Orton are gearing up for their highly anticipated WWE Undisputed Championship match at the upcoming 2025 Backlash Premium Live Event. The WWE has been hyping up this title bout as “One last time,” promising fans a thrilling showdown between the two longtime rivals.
In the recent episode of SmackDown leading up to Backlash, John Cena delivered a scathing message to Randy Orton, taking shots at his past controversies and questioning his legacy. The tension between the two superstars reached its peak when a hooded figure, posing as Orton, tried to ambush Cena but was quickly thwarted by the champion. However, the real Randy Orton emerged and delivered a devastating RKO to Cena, setting the stage for their upcoming clash.
Despite Orton’s strong showing on SmackDown, there are signs pointing towards him potentially losing at Backlash. Here are three reasons why Randy Orton may be facing defeat in St. Louis:
1. WWE Dropped a Major Hint on SmackDown: The recent booking on SmackDown has seen Randy Orton gain the upper hand over John Cena multiple times, hinting at a potential loss for The Viper at Backlash. In WWE tradition, the wrestler with the momentum leading up to a big event often ends up on the losing side, signaling a possible outcome for Orton.
2. WWE’s Hometown Curse: Another factor working against Randy Orton is the infamous WWE hometown curse. Backlash 2025 will take place in St. Louis, Missouri, Orton’s hometown. Historically, WWE Superstars tend to lose when competing in their hometown, adding to the speculation that Orton may come up short against Cena.
3. John Cena’s Lengthy Championship Reign: John Cena recently captured his 17th WWE world title at WrestleMania 41, solidifying his status as the Last Real Champion. With Cena set to retire from in-ring competition at the end of the year, it makes more sense for him to retain the title and continue his retirement tour. Cena still has plenty of potential matchups waiting for him, while Orton winning the championship may not align with the current storyline.
As the stage is set for their final showdown at Backlash, all eyes will be on John Cena and Randy Orton as they battle for the WWE Undisputed Championship. With the odds seemingly stacked against Orton, fans can expect a thrilling encounter between these two iconic superstars.