John Cena’s record-breaking 17th WWE Championship reign has taken a sinister turn as he prepares to defend against longtime rival Randy Orton at Backlash 2025. The newly-turned heel recently stoked speculation of a deeply personal feud by sharing a 2007 RAW clip showing Orton’s infamous punt kick to Cena’s father.
This callback to one of their most visceral moments suggests Cena may weaponize their history in his villainous transformation. Wrestling observers speculate the champion could invade Orton’s family home during the April 30 SmackDown, confronting The Viper via video call while standing with his unsuspecting wife and children – mirroring Orton’s past brutality but stopping short of physical retaliation.
Such a psychological power play would invert their traditional dynamic, with the now-heel Cena demonstrating restraint where the younger Orton once showed ruthlessness. The potential storyline would mark Cena’s most extreme character evolution since his WrestleMania 41 heel turn, while amplifying the stakes for their St. Louis showdown.
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WWE has not confirmed these developments, but Cena’s strategic social media activity and the heated Backlash buildup suggest the 25-year rivalry may reach unprecedented intensity. The May 10 title match represents their first collision since Cena embraced his darker persona, with the champion potentially exploiting real-life history to cement his transformation.
READ MORE: Intriguing Detail About John Cena’s Recent WWE SmackDown Participation Surfaces
