4 Better challengers for John Cena at WWE Night of Champions than CM Punk

WWE Superstar John Cena will be facing CM Punk at the 2025 Night of Champions and put the Undisputed Championship on the line. The two wrestlers share an iconic rivalry spanning several years.

However, their upcoming match isn’t a good fit given Punk’s past remarks on the company’s Saudi Arabia deal and the short amount of time Triple H and the creative team have to build this match properly. Here are four other stars who should have faced The Last Real Champion at Night of Champions.

#4 Cody Rhodes has momentum against John Cena right now

Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso teamed up to face John Cena and Logan Paul in a tag team match at the 2025 Money in the Bank. The final moments of the match saw The American Nightmare deliver a Cross Rhodes to The Franchise Player and pin him for the win.

Ahead of this, Rhodes had even spoiled Cena’s plan to drop Jey Uso his World Heavyweight Championship to The Maverick at last month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. This was the two-time Royal Rumble winner’s first appearance since dropping the Undisputed Championship to The Never Seen Seventeen at WrestleMania 41.

Thus, The American Nightmare had all the momentum to earn a title shot against John Cena. Moreover, Night of Champions would have been the perfect premium live event for him to claim his rematch for the Undisputed Championship. Now, suddenly inserting CM Punk in the title picture after Cody Rhodes’ big win at MITB would thwart the continuity of his storyline.

#3 AJ Styles is another iconic John Cena rival

While John Cena and CM Punk share a great rivalry, the same can be said for The Franchise Player and AJ Styles. Moreover, The Phenomenal One and Cena share a more recent rivalry than The Last Real Champion’s pre-2014 equation with The Second City Saint.

AJ Styles is also currently in the final leg of his pro wrestling career, and while he hasn’t made any explicit indications, he wants to retire before turning 50. That means The OC leader will wrap things up before June 2, 2027. Punk has been taking a lot of losses since his return in November 2023, and this is the first title match he has received after his comeback.

Hence, Styles and Cena could have put up a better show, and The Straight Edge Superstar could have been protected for a later event where the chances of him dethroning John Cena would have been real.

#2 John Cena could have retired Goldberg

After accepting CM Punk’s request for a title match on this week’s episode of RAW, John Cena emphasized that this would be their final bout together. Interestingly, WWE legend Goldberg has been looking for the final bout of his pro wrestling career at the same time. The Hall of Famer is reportedly going to fight his retirement match before the end of 2025.

Despite this, no clear date or opponent has been chosen for the former Universal Champion. Since The Franchise Player has 18 more dates on his WWE calendar, his Night of Champions appearance could have been used to retire Goldberg. This would have given the legend a deserving send-off, following which he could have hung up his boots on his grand career.

#1 Randy Orton needs a rematch

Randy Orton faced John Cena for the Undisputed Championship at the 2025 Backlash in a losing effort. The Viper was in position for a Punt Kick but had to stop because R-Truth suddenly entered the ring and stood in his way. Although The Apex Predator dispatched Truth with an RKO, the 53-year-old had managed to give his “childhood hero” enough time to hit a low blow and protect his title.

At Money in the Bank, R-Truth attacked John Cena after the latter tried to use the Undisputed Championship belt to attack Cody Rhodes. This was his revenge for the low blow defeat he suffered against The Franchise Player at last month’s Saturday Night’s Main Event.

With Truth no longer being an obstacle, Randy Orton had a clear path to fight and defeat Cena this time. However, the Night of Champions match card now has CM Punk on it. It would be interesting to see what lies ahead for the 17-time WWE World Champion.

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