On Night 2 of SummerSlam last Sunday, John Cena shockingly lost his Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes before getting attacked by Brock Lesnar. Holding it since Night 2 of WrestleMania 41, Cena took on a heel persona that shocked everyone. After his loss, WWE turned him back to a babyface, allowing him to return to the friendly natured man everyone is used to.
On the August 8, 2025 episode of Friday Night SmackDown, after verbally warning Lesnar, Logan Paul came out and challenged him to a fight at Clash in Paris. Before we got his answer, Drew McIntyre attacked Cena, and Cody Rhodes came to help Cena out.
After an impromptu tag match that ended in disqualification, the match was confirmed. Paul brought up some valid reasons as to why he wants to fight him, but there are also some other reasons why this matchup is happening.
John Cena’s Time Remaining in WWE is Limited
Last year, it was announced that Cena would be embarking on a limited-time retirement tour. He would make 36 appearances throughout 2025, then he would hang up his boots for good. After last Friday, he has only 11 appearances left, including PLEs.
Assuming he’s fighting Lesnar at Crown Jewel, he’s on a team at Survivor Series, and a Saturday Night’s Main Event is happening in December, the only question mark would be Clash in Paris. Logan Paul, being the man that he is, knew that in advance. He’s always wanted to be the center of attention ever since his YouTube days. Why wouldn’t he want to wrestle Cena months before his retirement tour?
Anything that gets him views is a good thing for Paul. He’ll do anything for fame, which is why he jumped at the chance of fighting Cena so quickly before anyone else could.
Logan Paul Has a Terrible Track Record Against Cena
Some people might say Paul is doing the match against Cena for the fame. But looking at the history between the two, the results are very lopsided. This year, the two men have competed in four matches together. Cena lasted longer than Paul in the Royal Rumble. This year’s Elimination Chamber saw Cena win against the field, which included Paul. The two men lost to Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso at Money in the Bank.
Then the tag match Friday ended in disqualification. Paul hasn’t claimed a victory over Cena this year, and they lost the one time they teamed up. That’s something Paul hasn’t forgotten. Getting that one pinfall victory over him will mean everything. Knowing him, he will be bragging about it for years to come. Winning at Clash in Paris will help Paul solve his Cena problem once and for all.
Cena vs. Paul is a Anticipated Match
Cena and Paul have met in the ring several times in the past year. However, they’ve never had a singles match together. That all changes at Clash in Paris, where they meet for one of Cena’s last matches. Given their star power, it makes sense that this match is happening. But Cena didn’t make the first move.
Paul came out to make the challenge himself. Doing so seemed like a typical heel move for him. But he had some internal motivations as to why he was fighting Cena. He knows that Cena isn’t long for WWE, so he had to jump the line to get his match.
Also, his showings in matches involving Cena this year are pretty horrific. Getting a win against him in their first and only singles match is something Paul desperately wants for his ego and validation that he can beat the wrestling legend.
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