John Cena vs Randy Orton, WWE Backlash: One Last Battle - But This Time, the Roles Are Reversed!

John Cena vs Randy Orton, WWE Backlash: For nearly two decades, John Cena and Randy Orton defined an era. They battled for championships, pride, and the title of "the face of WWE." But in every classic encounter, Cena was the hero fans cheered (or sometimes booed), while Orton played the calculating villain.

This time, the tables have turned. For the first time in their legendary feud, having shook hands with The Rock, Cena walks in as the villain—cold, bitter, and ruthless. Meanwhile, Randy Orton, the Viper himself, is now the fan-favorite fighting for redemption and respect.

John Cena vs Randy Orton WWE Backlash One Last Battle - But This Time the Roles Are Reversed — (Image Courtesy: WWE Official Website)

John Cena vs. Randy Orton – Major Match History

Event	Date	Match Type	Winner	Notable Moment
SummerSlam	August 26, 2007	WWE Championship Match	John Cena	Cena retained his title after a hard-fought battle.
Unforgiven	September 16, 2007	WWE Championship Match	Randy Orton	Orton won via disqualification; Cena retained the title.
No Way Out	February 17, 2008	WWE Championship Match	John Cena	Cena won by disqualification; Orton retained the title.
Breaking Point	September 13, 2009	"I Quit" Match	John Cena	Cena won the WWE Championship after a brutal encounter.
Hell in a Cell	October 4, 2009	Hell in a Cell Match	Randy Orton	Orton reclaimed the WWE Championship inside the cell.
Bragging Rights	October 25, 2009	60-Minute Iron Man Match	John Cena	Cena won 6–5, capturing the WWE Championship in a grueling contest.
TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs	December 15, 2013	TLC Match for Unified WWE Title	Randy Orton	Orton unified the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships.
Royal Rumble	January 26, 2014	WWE World Heavyweight Title Match	Randy Orton	Orton retained the title with assistance from The Wyatt Family.
Hell in a Cell	October 26, 2014	Hell in a Cell Match	John Cena	Cena earned a future title shot against Brock Lesnar.

Fan Speculation: Will Cena Pull an Orton and Get Disqualified at Backlash?

As the hype builds for their clash at Backlash, WWE fans are digging up old memories of one of Orton’s most notorious moments—when he slapped a referee to intentionally get disqualified and retain his championship against Cena.

Now, with Cena embracing his dark side, many fans believe Cena could be the one to pull the same dirty trick this time around.
Imagine the full-circle storytelling: John Cena, once the moral compass of WWE, resorting to cheap tactics Orton once perfected, just to walk away a winner.

The idea of Cena slapping a ref, taunting Orton, and smirking as the match ends in chaos has fans buzzing—and it would be a jaw-dropping moment to define Cena’s heel turn.

Why Cena Turned Heel Now

After two decades of "Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect," the aging superstar has embraced a darker philosophy: "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

Cena’s frustrations boiled over during his farewell tour, blaming the WWE Universe for taking him for granted and cheering new blood over the veterans who built the house.

It’s a chilling, realistic character shift—and one that adds serious emotional weight to this final match.

Randy Orton’s Redemption Story

Meanwhile, Randy Orton’s own comeback story has struck a nerve with the fans.
After battling through injuries and nearly losing his career, Orton returned with a new attitude—more focused, more grateful, and more connected to the WWE Universe than ever before.

It’s the perfect role reversal. Orton isn’t the cold assassin anymore—he’s the battle-scarred warrior with one last fight left in him.

When and Where to Watch: Cena vs. Orton at WWE Backlash 2025

Event	Date	Venue	Main Event	Streaming (U.S.)	Streaming (Global)	Tickets
WWE Backlash 2025	Saturday, May 10, 2025	Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri	John Cena (c) vs. Randy Orton – Undisputed WWE Championship Match	Peacock	Netflix (International markets) / WWE Network (select regions)	Available via Ticketmaster

The Stakes Are Higher Than Ever

This isn’t just a match; it’s a battle for legacy.
Will Cena crush Orton to cement his final heel run as the greatest villain WWE has seen?
Or will Orton finally slay his oldest rival, proving that redemption and loyalty still matter in the world of professional wrestling?

Expect fireworks, emotion, and maybe even a tear or two when these two legends collide one last time.