WWE Raw results, highlights (Mar. 31): John Cena crushed by Cody Rhodes after epic promo battle in 2025.
WWE Raw Results, Highlights (Mar. 31): John Cena Crushed by Cody Rhodes After Epic Promo Battle.
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March 31, 2025, was a night that will go down in WWE history. Monday Night Raw delivered an electrifying show that showcased the ongoing rivalry between John Cena and Cody Rhodes, culminating in a truly memorable promo battle and a shocking turn of events that saw Rhodes emerge victorious both verbally and physically. Fans in the arena and watching at home were on the edge of their seats as WWE continued its march toward the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania 41.
The evening opened with the sound of The Champ’s iconic entrance music, and the crowd erupted into applause as John Cena made his way to the ring. Cena, the 16-time world champion, had been absent from Raw for several weeks due to his busy schedule filming movies and making appearances. But tonight, he was back in full force, and fans couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say.
As expected, Cena cut a passionate promo about the state of WWE and his legacy in the company. He spoke about the significance of the upcoming WrestleMania, where he would face one of WWE’s most talented and tenacious superstars, Cody Rhodes. Cena made it clear that while he respected Rhodes’ talent, he had no intention of letting the younger star walk out of WrestleMania with a victory. The energy in the arena was palpable, but what happened next was completely unexpected.
Cody Rhodes’ Arrival: The Antagonist Emerges WWE Raw results
Just as Cena was building momentum in his promo, the lights in the arena dimmed, and the unmistakable sound of Cody Rhodes’ theme song filled the air. The crowd’s reaction was a mixture of boos and cheers, as the second-generation star made his way to the ring with his trademark cocky smile. Rhodes, who had been engaged in a long-running feud with Cena for months, stepped into the ring, his eyes locked onto Cena.
Rhodes wasted no time in addressing Cena. He immediately mocked Cena’s “never give up” catchphrase, dismissing it as outdated and irrelevant in today’s WWE. “You’re living in the past, John,” Rhodes said. “You’re clinging to a time when you were the face of this company. But let’s face it, those days are over. You’ve had your moment. Now it’s my time.”
Rhodes continued to rip into Cena, telling him that while Cena was off making movies and “playing superhero,” Rhodes had been working his way up through the ranks of WWE, proving himself match after match. “I don’t need Hollywood or a movie script to make me a star, John,” Rhodes said with a smirk. “I’ve got the talent, the drive, and the vision to be the future of this company. You’re just holding on to a legacy that doesn’t belong to you anymore.”
The Promo Battle: Words as Weapons WWE Raw results
What followed was an intense verbal exchange between Cena and Rhodes that had the crowd hanging on every word. Cena, known for his ability to connect with the audience and deliver powerful promos, responded by acknowledging the talent of Cody Rhodes but also reminding him that respect had to be earned. “Cody, I respect your ability in the ring, but there’s one thing you’ll never have—my heart,” Cena said passionately. “I didn’t get to where I am by playing it safe or using my last name. I got here by working hard, giving everything I had, and being the best at what I do.”
Cena went on to tell Rhodes that while he might have the swagger and the confidence, he lacked the heart of a true champion. “You’re a great wrestler, Cody. But you’re not a true champion yet. You’re not ready to carry this company the way I have,” Cena declared.
Rhodes, however, was unfazed by Cena’s words. He fired back, “I don’t need you or anyone else to tell me I’m ready. I’ve been ready for years. And when I beat you at WrestleMania, you’ll finally realize that the era of John Cena is over. It’s time for someone new to take the reigns.”
The verbal back-and-forth between the two superstars reached its boiling point as Cena became increasingly frustrated. The crowd was split, with some cheering for Cena and others rallying behind the self-proclaimed “American Nightmare.” It was clear that this feud had become more than just a rivalry—it had turned into a battle for supremacy, with both men fighting for the future of WWE.
The Physical Confrontation: Cena Crushed by Rhodes WWE Raw results
Just as the tension was about to reach a breaking point, Rhodes made a bold move that took everyone by surprise. Without warning, he charged at Cena, launching himself into an aggressive attack. The crowd erupted in shock as Rhodes delivered a brutal clothesline to Cena, sending him crashing to the mat. Cena, who had been holding his own during the verbal sparring, was now on the receiving end of a brutal physical assault.
Rhodes didn’t stop there. He continued his relentless assault, targeting Cena’s back with vicious stomps and strikes. The crowd, once divided, now seemed to rally behind Rhodes, who was demonstrating an intensity and ruthlessness that Cena had not been prepared for. Cena attempted to fight back, struggling to get to his feet, but Rhodes was relentless, delivering a series of punishing blows that left Cena gasping for air.
As Cena struggled to regain his composure, Rhodes climbed to the top rope, signaling for his signature move, the Cross Rhodes. The fans were on their feet, eagerly anticipating what would come next. Rhodes launched himself into the air, landing the devastating finisher right onto Cena, leaving the 16-time champion motionless on the canvas.
The referee immediately checked on Cena, but it was clear that the damage had been done. Rhodes stood tall in the ring, his eyes full of intensity and focus as he looked down at Cena, who was slowly regaining his bearings but still clearly outmatched.
Rhodes’ Victory: The Changing of the Guard WWE Raw results
Rhodes took a moment to soak in the crowd’s reaction, which was a mixture of admiration and disbelief. It was clear that Raw had just witnessed a major shift in the balance of power. Cena, who had been WWE’s poster boy for over a decade, was now left lying in the ring, completely overshadowed by the younger, more aggressive Rhodes.
Rhodes grabbed a microphone and stood over Cena, his words cutting through the tension in the air. “This is what it looks like when the future of WWE takes over. I am the new face of this company, and at WrestleMania, John, you will realize that your time has passed. The era of Cody Rhodes has begun.”
With that, Rhodes dropped the microphone and left the ring, leaving Cena in a heap of defeat. The crowd was buzzing with excitement as Rhodes made his way up the ramp, the victory over Cena marking a significant moment in his rise to the top of WWE.
Other Highlights of the Night WWE Raw results
While the Cena-Rhodes feud undoubtedly took center stage, Raw was packed with exciting moments throughout the night. Here are some of the other key highlights from the show:
- Roman Reigns vs. Kevin Owens: The main event saw Universal Champion Roman Reigns take on Kevin Owens in a non-title match. The two former rivals put on an epic contest, with Owens using his resilience to push Reigns to the limit. However, Reigns was able to secure the victory after a Spear followed by a Superman Punch. After the match, Reigns stood tall in the ring, sending a message to his challengers at WrestleMania.
- Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair: The highly anticipated match between Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair lived up to the hype, with both women giving it their all in a hard-hitting contest. Lynch narrowly defeated Belair after using the ropes for leverage, causing Belair to demand a rematch at WrestleMania.
- Edge and Finn Bálor Brawl: The long-running feud between Edge and Finn Bálor continued with a brutal brawl outside the ring. Both men traded vicious strikes and high-impact moves, with Edge getting the upper hand for the moment. This rivalry is heating up, and fans are eagerly awaiting their confrontation at WrestleMania.
- Seth Rollins’ Promo: Seth Rollins took to the ring to deliver a fiery promo about his journey to WrestleMania. He spoke about how he had overcome all odds to become one of WWE’s most decorated champions. Rollins made it clear that he was going to leave WrestleMania as the new WWE Champion, and he was not going to let anyone stand in his way.
Conclusion: A Turning Point in WWE History WWE Raw results
March 31, 2025, will be remembered as a turning point in WWE history. Cody Rhodes’ dominant promo and subsequent physical destruction of John Cena signaled the arrival of a new era in WWE. Cena, once the face of the company, now finds himself overshadowed by the aggressive and relentless Rhodes, who is poised to take over as WWE’s top star.
With WrestleMania 41 just around the corner, fans are eagerly awaiting the culmination of this epic rivalry. Will Cena reclaim his position as the top star in WWE, or will Rhodes prove once and for all that the future is now? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: WWE is in for a thrilling ride.
