WWE SmackDown lit up Dayton, Ohio, this week with a dramatic ending that has fans buzzing ahead of Backlash 2025. In the show’s final moments, Randy Orton stood tall over John Cena, holding the Undisputed WWE Title high above his head.
While it made for an electric visual, long-time fans know it might hint at the opposite outcome on Saturday.
Did SmackDown Spoil The Ending For John Cena vs. Randy Orton Backlash Match Ending?
On SmackDown, John Cena delivered a cutting promo, ripping into Randy Orton’s legacy and calling him a “failure.” He claimed Orton’s career was built on his last name and said he lacked hustle, loyalty, and respect.
The 17-time World Champion, now fully immersed in his villain era, vowed to end Orton’s legacy and retire as champion. Just when The Last Real Champion thought he’d ended the night strong, a masked figure tried to hit him with an RKO.
John Cena countered and delivered an Attitude Adjustment—only to be blindsided moments later by the real Viper. Randy Orton dropped Cena with an RKO and posed with the WWE Title to end the show.
John Cena, now playing the dirtiest version of himself we’ve ever seen, has shown that he’ll do anything to keep his title. Whether it was using low blows, outside interference, or underhanded tricks, this new Cena doesn’t care how he wins—as long as he remains champion.
At WrestleMania 41, he proved just that when he dethroned Cody Rhodes in the most controversial fashion possible. Backlash takes place in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis, and that could make John Cena’s potential betrayal even more dramatic.
If Cena cheats to get disqualified—say, by attacking a referee or using a weapon—he would lose the match. And yet, even if The Apex Predator does win, there’s another layer to consider: he may not leave with the championship.
In this scenario, both men walk away with something: The Viper gets a win in front of his people, and heel Cena continues his championship run. A classic win-win… for a villain. This pattern has played out countless times.
The stage is set, the crowd is hot, and the stakes are sky high. WWE has leaned into long-term storytelling with Cena’s heel run, and Backlash could offer the perfect twist. If the events of SmackDown are anything to go by, the ending may be more cunning than anyone expects.
Will Randy Orton win but lose the war? Or will John Cena add one more cheap victory to his record? All eyes are on St. Louis this Saturday.