John Cena retained the WWE Universal Championship at Backlash 2025 in St. Louis, defeating long-time rival Randy Orton after a chaotic match that saw interference from R-Truth.
John Cena and Randy Orton’s decades-long rivalry reached what may be its final chapter at WWE Backlash 2025, with the WWE Universal Championship on the line.
In a match defined by nostalgia, reversals, and chaos, Cena emerged victorious after interference from R-Truth helped tilt the balance.
The match opened with mutual respect as Cena offered a handshake. Orton accepted, but the moment quickly devolved into a brutal exchange.
The pair revisited old favourites, from Orton’s signature stomps to Cena’s chain of shoulder tackles and a Five Knuckle Shuffle.
In a throwback to their iconic battles, Orton countered an Attitude Adjustment into an RKO, igniting the St. Louis crowd.
Cena dodged a Punt Kick, only for Orton to evade a retaliatory strike.
A mistimed referee bump prevented a decisive count following a second RKO.
The action spilled ringside, where Orton delivered another RKO and sent Cena crashing through a table.
Despite flattening every official in sight, Orton was unable to secure a pin.
As the match reached its peak, R-Truth rushed to the ring, intervening in defence of Cena, whom he has long called a “childhood hero.”
Orton landed an RKO on Truth, but the distraction gave Cena enough time to strike a low blow and blast Orton with the title belt.
Cena secured the three-count as the crowd erupted in mixed reactions.
Climbing to the top rope with mic in hand, Cena declared himself “the last real champion,” closing the night on a defiant note.