WATCH: Randy Orton makes big claim on John Cena before WWE Backlash

The WWE SmackDown event on May 2 took place at Des Moines, Iowa's Wells Fargo Arena. It was quite a performance, as they were ready for Backlash and had a lot to attend to. Randy Orton was the first to challenge John Cena and defeat the 17-time world champion via a rematch. The two will now face off at Backlash in St Louis, and this week's SmackDown featured the Apex Predator.  

Randy Orton appeared on the show to begin the WWE SmackDown edition. Fans gave the Viper an incredible greeting as they yelled his name. The audience booed the 17-time world champion's name as he spoke to John Cena. Since day one, Orton claimed to have seen right through John Cena. Cena is entitled, self-centred, and conceited, he claimed. He said that because Cena was keen to become a living, talking cartoon figure, he exploited WWE's PG Era.  

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.@RandyOrton does make some valid points... 👀#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/VBHQwjeecX

— WWE (@WWE) May 3, 2025

John Cena became a well-known star as a result.   Orton mentioned that Cena claimed to be raising everyone's children, but he went on to claim that Cena had merely increased the cost of his stuff.   That felt like a fun jab at the ongoing price increases and merchandising efforts of Fanatics and WWE. "John Cena is not the last true champion," Randy Orton remarked, "just the newest legend that he has to put down,"  Orton said he will defeat Cena at Backlash.

Randy Orton to fight for the WWE title

The idea of Orton kicking Cena’s head through the Gateway Arch and punting it off was appealing to the audience. Despite all of the current events in WWE, few stories are as significant as John Cena’s historic 17^th WWE World title. WWE fans are eagerly waiting for Backlash to see the two long-time rivals face each other after a very long time at another pay-per-view event in WWE. Backlash is the chance for Randy to win his 15th WWE title.

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