For 22 years, there was one constant in WWE — until there wasn’t. At Elimination Chamber, one of the most shocking angles, and arguably the biggest heel turn of all time, took place as John Cena partnered with The Rock against Cody Rhodes.
With the WrestleMania match set in stone, it was up to Rhodes to fire back at Cena for his vicious assault following the turn, an attack that left the reigning undisputed WWE Universal Champion with a legitimate black eye. Safe to say, he delivered.
Cody Rhodes Has Fans Feeling Adrenaline in Their Souls
A fired-up Rhodes wasted no time, his voice rising higher in pitch by the second. Eventually, he launched into a closing rally, declaring that he wouldn’t be like Cena — the way the 16-time world champion wanted — but would instead be his own man.
“I know that you think that your successor had to look like you, had to talk like you, had to be like you, had to live like you. Well, the next one doesn’t look like the last one, John. And you are convinced that you are the last of your kind. You are not.”
Rhodes ended with a few famous words: “John Cena, clearly you want some. So come and get some.”
Rhodes’ promo left X ablaze, with fans praising that final delivery in particular.
“OH MY GOD CODY RHODES WHAT A PROMO. GENERATIONAL TALENT!!!!!”
“YOU WANT SOME… COME GET SOME”
OH MY GOD CODY RHODES WHAT A PROMO🤯😩
GENERATIONAL TALENT!!!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/8k9kzX70DS
— #WeWantCody (@WeWantCody_) March 8, 2025
For others, it was another example of a master working at his craft.
One fan claimed, “Cody is the best babyface promo cutter in the business. I don’t give a f*** what you say. What a f****** promo.”
That fan wasn’t alone in his sentiment.
“If being the best babyface promo cutter in wrestling right now was an art, Cody would be the Picasso of it. What a promo man. WHAT A PROMO.”
Cody Rhodes. If being the best babyface promo cutter in wrestling right now was an art, Cody would be the Picasso of it.
What a promo man. WHAT A PROMO.
pic.twitter.com/iDfAAhA6aZ— izz~ 🇲🇾🇵🇸 (@izzminem) March 8, 2025
Rhodes’ war cry, delivered with incredible cadence and pacing, worked both himself and the crowd into a frenzy. The parting shot — Rhodes looking up at the WrestleMania sign — was as poetic as it gets and had some people “ready to run through a brick wall.”
“JOHN CENA, CLEARY YOU WANT SOME SO COME GET SOME!!”
Cody Rhodes got me ready to run through a brick wall 😭😭 #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/kbPwso1QkA
— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) March 8, 2025
Some fans went even further, quoting Rhodes’ exact words before calling his speech one of the greatest promos of his career and possibly of all time.
“Cena, I have that title in my hand, and it's not getting any heavier. I know you think your successor has to be like you. You're not the last of your kind. JOHN CENA, COME AND GET SOME”
THIS IS ONE OF THE GREATEST CODY RHODES' PROMO OAT 🔥#SmackDown
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) March 8, 2025
Meanwhile, some fans knew what was on the horizon. Ever since he came into his own, Cena has been one of the best in the business on the microphone, with his patented “Fine Speech” becoming a staple.
Fans saw the first instance of it against Roman Reigns back in 2017 at No Mercy. After delivering his best promo to date, the Big Dog had to listen as Cena uttered the infamous two words before tearing him down.
And fans knew a similar fate might await the American Nightmare the next time he showed up.
“John Cena preparing to hit Cody Rhodes with the smoothest ‘Fine Speech’ he’s ever delivered next week.”
John Cena preparing to hit Cody Rhodes with the smoothest “Fine Speech” he’s ever delivered next week:#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Mr7N3MTdOO
— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) March 8, 2025
A relatively uneventful WrestleMania build has suddenly gained a ton of momentum. Cena’s heel turn was a true Nexus point in WWE, and it has already paved the way for a feud that might go down as one of the greatest of all time.