One of the year’s most anticipated matchups, John Cena and Cody Rhodes, will be the main attraction at SummerSlam 2025 for the Undisputed WWE Championship, according to an official announcement from WWE. The two-night event (August 2–3) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will also be shown live in a few Regal Cinemas around the United States thanks to a new collaboration with Fandango, which is a first for the film industry. Here is all the information fans want on this historic occasion.

Cena vs. Rhodes: The Rematch Storyline

The main event revisits the intense rivalry that culminated at WrestleMania 41, when Cena defeated Rhodes in a dramatic fashion to win the championship for the record-breaking 17th time. Rhodes’ loss at SummerSlam, influenced by Travis Scott’s controversial interference, motivated him to seek redemption and a more satisfying narrative finish.

On the July 18 edition of SmackDown in San Antonio, their feud intensified with a chaotic Street Fight contract signing. Cena initially refused to sign until Rhodes cornered him. This moment set the tone for SummerSlam, presenting fans with the emotional and in-ring resolution they had been waiting for.

WWE Partners with Fandango for Cinema Screening

Fandango and Regal Cinemas will bring SummerSlam to the big screen, marking a first for the event. Fans can buy:

Single-night tickets (August 2 or 3)

Two-night combos include an exclusive SummerSlam T-shirt via Fanatics.

WWE launches broadcast Premium Live Events (PLEs) in movie theaters, providing a near-ringside watching experience with large-format visuals and immersive sound.

Event & Viewing Details

SummerSlam 2025 will take place on Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. This will be WWE’s first two-night SummerSlam, similar to WrestleMania.

Live broadcasts: 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on Peacock (US) and Netflix (International).

Cinema showings: Live through Fandango in select Regal locations, including theatrical packages and special merchandise.

Following the WWE Network merger earlier this year, Netflix has expanded its film screenings to include more WWE content.

Supporting Card & Build-Up Highlights

Contract Signing: The SmackDown beatdown between Cena and Rhodes contained a Street Fight clause locked in for SummerSlam.

Other Key Matches: A standout bout will see CM Punk face off with Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship. Additionally, Jade Cargill vs. Tiffany Stratton is explicitly official, following Stratton’s title defense at Evolution.

Entertainment Factor: talkSPORT says that multi-platinum singer Jelly Roll will debut in the ring alongside Randy Orton versus Drew McIntyre and Logan Paul.

Why This Moment Matters

High-Drama Headline Match

This rematch aims to reestablish fans’ trust in the narrative that was lost at WrestleMania, in addition to the title stakes.

Cinematic Leap for WWE

WWE enters a new platform for entertainment delivery by extending to the big screen. The relationship with Fandango highlights WWE’s continued transformation, after the Netflix pact earlier this year.

First Two-Night SummerSlam

WWE’s multi-night concept aims to raise SummerSlam to the level of WrestleMania, providing fans with more headline matchups and captivating narrative across two nights.

What’s Next

Final push: Expect tight promos, in-ring confrontations, and potential interference setup segments on Raw and SmackDown.

Cinema chatter: Fandango ticket sales and chatter will be monitored to assess the performance of WWE’s box office-supported playoff experiment.

Fan Experience: The event will include ringside viewing in cinemas, unique merchandise packages, and community participation.

Final Thoughts

SummerSlam 2025 is shaping up to be a historic event, putting Cena versus Rhodes in a headline Street Fight, adding cinematic viewing to WWE’s largest summer show, and extending the spectacle over two nights. Whether you’re in the arena, in the movies, or watching on Peacock/Netflix, SummerSlam promises a high-stakes, high-production return to tradition.

Mark your calendars: WWE SummerSlam is going huge on August 2 and 3—in the ring, on the screen, and in the limelight of pop culture.