John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes Prediction & Betting Odds: Who Will Win WrestleMania 41 Main Event?

You can't see me.

Wrestling has more than one royal family.

Your time is up, my time is now.

Finish the story.

When it comes to catchphrases, John Cena and Cody Rhodes have enough to fill a dozen Scrabble boards. But as talk gives way to action at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas this weekend, which of these WWE mega-stars will have the last word?

The latest WrestleMania 41 odds have the Doctor of Thuganomics and newly-minted uber-heel as a comfortable betting favorite to win the Undisputed WWE Championship and kick off his record 17th title run. But while that angle offers an obvious path to a Cena victory Sunday night, it might feel a bit too obvious to some – and you know how WWE likes to throw a curve every so often.

We break down the history between the two main event combatants with our John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes prediction for WrestleMania 41, while measuring them against one another in a Tale of the Tape, looking at the victory case for each and making our bold call on what will happen in the main event of Wrestlemania 41 on Night 2:

💵 John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes odds

🗓️ John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes: The 2025 timeline (so far)

📅 Jan. 6: Raw on Netflix Premiere

• Having announced late the previous year that 2025 would be his last as an in-ring performer, Cena reveals that he will compete in the 2025 Royal Rumble as part of his farewell tour
• Rhodes is a relative non-factor in the Netflix debut show, introduced by The Rock while sitting ringside in the opening moments of the broadcast
• Rhodes later runs in to tangle with Kevin Owens, with whom he had been feuding

📅 Jan. 25: Royal Rumble

• Cena enters the Men's Royal Rumble match and makes it to the final two
• He is the last man eliminated by Jey Uso, who earns the WrestleMania main event slot
• Cody Rhodes, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, observes from the sidelines

📅 March 1: Elimination Chamber, Toronto

• Cena wins the Men's Elimination Chamber match, securing a world title match at WrestleMania 41
• After the match, Cody comes out to shake Cena’s hand in a show of mutual respect
• The Rock interrupts, trying to convince Cody to align with him but Cody declines
• In a shocking turn, Cena blindsides Cody with an attack, aligning himself with The Rock and turning heel for the first time in over 20 years

📅 March 4–25: Raw Episodes

• Cena cuts scathing promos blaming the fans and modern WWE culture for his disillusionment
• He frames Cody as a “corporate pet project” and vows to end his story for good at WrestleMania
• Cody responds by calling Cena’s turn a betrayal of everything he once stood for

📅 March 31: Raw Go-Home Show

• Cena attempts to ambush Cody during a confrontation.
• Cody counters with a Cross Rhodes, standing tall heading into WrestleMania 41.

🤼 John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes: Tale of the Tape

🗒️ The case for John Cena

17.

I suppose I need to elaborate here, but do I really? This is all about Cena launching himself into the most rarefied air, breaking the tie he holds with Ric Flair (who himself had an astounding 16 world title runs across NWA, WCW and WWF/E.) And the federation has done everything it can to make sure people don't forget how close Cena is to owning the solo record.

While Cena hasn't been as present as fans would like him to be in the build-up to WrestleMania, we have been assured that the purveyor of the Five Knuckle Shuffle will be making more appearances throughout the summer. He has taken heat for ducking out of his retirement tour to shoot scenes in Budapest for the movie "Matchbox".

It would make a ton of sense for Cena to capture the title in Las Vegas, giving him the summer to celebrate one final championship run before relinquishing the belt one last time either at Summer Slam or Survivor Series. Rhodes has finished his story – and between a Cena rematch and some other tasty potential feuds, he'll be just fine without the belt.

WrestleMania 40 had a decidedly "original Star Wars" feel to it in that the good guys did most of the winning. That's how WrestleManias 20 and 30 went, as well. Milestones just hit differently. But WWE also loves those "Empire Strikes Back" moments – and the path is ideal here for Cena to Darth Vader his way to a record-breaking title.

🗒️ The case for Cody Rhodes

I'm trading logic for philosophy in justifying a possible Rhodes win at WrestleMania because frankly, that's the only way it would make sense.

WWE has spent three-plus years meticulously crafting Rhodes' redemption story, which culminated in his win over Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 but has continued with an inspiring, entertaining title run during which Rhodes' star has grown exponentially. A loss to Evil Cena would strip away a good portion of the luster from Rhodes' build-up, and WWE has been loath to do so with its biggest stars (see Reigns' record title run or Gunther's collection of long championship reigns as iron-clad examples of this).

Besides, there are other paths to a Cena title run down the road. Perhaps these two meet again at a future PLE. Or maybe Rhodes drops the title to someone else, who then loses to Cena. These scenarios aren't as likely as Cena simply winning WM41 outright, but WWE does love swerves. Would it really be that surprising to see Rhodes retain in Vegas? 

🔮 John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes prediction

Cena isn't in for many long feuds. This is his last year, and superstars will be lining up for their final crack at one of the most decorated pro wrestlers to ever lace 'em up.

For that reason, it's highly likely that this is the one and only time we'll see Cena and Rhodes square off in 2025 – and if that's the case, and WWE is genuinely looking to shoehorn in one final Cena championship go-around, it almost certainly has to happen via a WrestleMania 41 victory.  

Cena's remaining programs will be entertaining regardless of whether he has the strap. But so, too, will anything involving Rhodes, who could use a post-WM break after going full throttle ever since he won the championship at WrestleMania 40. I still believe CM Punk ends 2025 as the Undisputed WWE Champion, and I believe he gets there with a win over Cena.

But first, we need Cena to actually win the title. I believe he does that Sunday night.

Pick: John Cena (-200)

More John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes odds and quick picks

First finishing move performed

Cena is going to come out with guns a-blazing, looking to score the quickest pinfall. The first Attitude Adjustment could come out quickly in this one. Pick: Attitude Adjustment (-140). 

First signature move performed

Rhodes loves using the Cody Cutter to turn the tide of a match. It's used far more frequently than Cena's FKS, which usually comes out just once per match. Pick: Cody Cutter (-200).

First near fall

I think there's room for a little profit play here. Cena's expected to win, and I think WWE will play up that narrative to give Cena the first near fall and make the Las Vegas crowd antsy in the process. Pick: John Cena (+115)

Method of victory

I nearly went for the submission pick here, because that would actually be the best outcome for this storyline (Cody giving up against a guy whose most notable tag line is "Never Give Up"? That would be brilliant.) Alas, I highly doubt they would weaken Cody this way, so chalky pinfall it is. Pick: Pinfall (-300)

Total Cross Rhodes performed by Cody Rhodes

It took six Cross Rhodes for Cody to defeat Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 – and he'll need at least that meany to vanquish Zombie Cena, who is almost certainly going to be booked as if he's made of pure titanium. Pick: Over 3.5 (-175)

Total Attitude Adjustments performed by John Cena

Cena ramps up his AA usage based on the importance of the match – and they don't get much more important than this. Look for Cena to find multiple opportunities to adjust Cody's attitude in this one. Pick: Over 3.5 (-165)

🔮 Expert WrestleMania predictions

• WrestleMania 41 odds
• WrestleMania 41 predictions
• WrestleMania 41 AI predictions
• John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes prediction

📺 How to watch WrestleMania 41

📅 Dates: Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20
🕒 Start time: 7 p.m. ET (both nights)
🏟️ Venue: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
📺 Streaming: Netflix

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