The member of the WWE Hall of Fame and a member in the real life of The Bloodline, Rikishi, has given his prediction for the fight for the title between John Cena and Randy Orton in Backlash. He also sent a message to Cody Rhodes, who has been absent on WWE television since he lost in Wrestlemania 41.
The first official defense of the title of dinner will be in St. Louis in Backlash against the local hero and his eternal rival, Randy Orton. For the first time in its history, Cena is Heel and Orton El Babyface, which creates a completely new dynamic for the fight for WWE undisputed championship.
In the last episode of his podcast Off The TopRikishi chose John Cena as winner of his fight against The Viper. He also expressed surprise that Randy Orton was competing for the title and not The American Nightmare.
“I have to go with John Cena, because nobody saw that coming. We all definitely thought that Cody Rhodes is the future. Cody Rhodes is the man, he is much younger, he is healthy to continue. (30:00 – 30:44)
Dinner and Orton have had many fighting during their legendary races, but Face-Heel's dynamics for their next meeting is different. As for Rhodes, it is not clear what the plans for him for backlash are.
A member of the WWE Hall of Fame praises the role of John Cena throughout his career
In a recent episode of Something Else to WrestleJohn “Bradshaw” Layfield, or JBL, offered his perspective on John Cena's career. He called the dinner reign as 'WWE's face' the most difficult role in the company's history due to the transition to the PG era.
“Cena had the most difficult role of any champion, I think, in the history of wrestling, when moving from the Attitude era, where you could make your boss an obscene gesture, drink beer on television, beautiful women showing their bodies. You know, there were all kinds of crazy things in the program, an era suitable for all audiences. Very few people could have done it,” said JBL.
Dinner took WWE for more than a decade, with 2025 being the last year of his ring career.
