The wrestling world got an unexpected emotional moment when CM Punk shared a never-before-seen photograph featuring himself, John Cena, and Cody Rhodes—all holding major WWE championships. The powerful image surfaced on social media just days after one of the most significant title changes in recent WWE history: John Cena’s victory over Dominik Mysterio to capture the Intercontinental Championship for the first time in his career.
A Historic Moment Captured in One Photo
The rare backstage photograph shows a striking moment between three of WWE’s biggest names. John Cena stands with his newly won Intercontinental Championship, while CM Punk holds the World Heavyweight Title he captured at Saturday Night’s Main Event on October 31st, and Cody Rhodes displays the Undisputed WWE Championship. The image represents not just three championship reigns, but a significant convergence of storylines that have dominated WWE’s 2025 narrative.
CM Punk’s accompanying caption to the photo carried tremendous weight. He wrote: “Thank you for the stories, the memories, the lessons. Thank you for the competition. The rivalries, and the teamwork alike. Side by side. The view changes. Thank you for the house.”
The Context Behind Cena’s Grand Slam Milestone
John Cena’s victory over Dominik Mysterio on Monday Night Raw’s November 10th episode in Boston marked far more than a simple title change. The match represented Cena becoming WWE’s newest Grand Slam Champion—a rare distinction that only a select few have achieved. The Intercontinental Championship was the final singles title missing from Cena’s otherwise unprecedented collection of championships.
Cena spent his hometown performance in Boston facing “Dirty” Dom in an entertaining match where the Intercontinental Champion relied on his usual cheating tactics. However, the veteran Cena stayed one step ahead throughout. After several near-falls and counter sequences, Cena connected with the Attitude Adjustment to secure the victory and complete his championship collection. Following the win, Cena famously exclaimed, “The champ is here”—one final time in his career before his impending retirement.
The match held special significance given that WWE officially confirmed this as Cena’s final appearance on his hometown Monday Night Raw broadcast. Many observers noted that the booking decision perfectly elevated Cena heading into his retirement, allowing him to make history while cementing his legacy as arguably the greatest all-around WWE performer in the company’s history.
CM Punk’s Triumphant Return to Championship Glory
CM Punk’s presence in the photograph connects to his own remarkable resurgence. After spending nearly two years walking the halls of WWE as “a king without a crown,” Punk finally reclaimed championship gold when he defeated Jey Uso to capture the vacant World Heavyweight Championship at Saturday Night’s Main Event on October 31st.
That 21-minute main event saw Punk honor the memory of his late MMA coach Duke Roufus through his ring attire as he methodically worked over Uso, eventually finishing the match with back-to-back Go To Sleep finishers. The victory marked Punk’s seventh world title reign and represented the culmination of years of setbacks, injuries, and personal controversies that had defined his career since returning to WWE in late 2023.
Punk returned to television the following Monday on Raw, where he cut a promo celebrating his triumph while acknowledging the collaborative effort required to reach championship status. He addressed the packed Rio Rancho crowd, noting that despite holding the crown, a target remains on his back, and any challenger worthy of the opportunity now stands in line.
The Broader Significance of the Moment
The photograph CM Punk shared transcends a simple acknowledgment between rivals. It represents multiple storyline intersections currently playing out across WWE programming. Punk, Cena, and Rhodes have all played crucial roles in the company’s narrative throughout 2025, with Cena and Punk having recently renewed their legendary rivalry in matches at Night of Champions and other premium events.
The moment also hints at the collaborative alliance that has formed in WWE’s current landscape. CM Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Jey Uso have banded together as a unit, particularly in their feud against The Vision and Logan Paul, with plans for a WarGames match announcement already made. This photograph captures the elite tier of WWE’s current roster standing united with their respective championship accomplishments.
What’s Next for These Champions
John Cena’s focus now shifts entirely toward his final in-ring competitors. WWE officials have established the “Last Time Is Now” tournament, which will determine Cena’s final opponent before his retirement. Several credible challengers have emerged as frontrunners, including Gunther, with the tournament continuing its progression through upcoming Raw broadcasts.
Meanwhile, CM Punk must navigate the challenging landscape as World Heavyweight Champion. His recent promo emphasized the constant threat from WWE’s loaded roster, noting that he needs to remain at his absolute best to retain the title. The convergence of his storyline with Rhodes and Uso against opposing forces promises significant drama heading into Survivor Series events.
For Cody Rhodes, his path remains clear as he continues his pursuit of main event supremacy, with various championship programs and tournament participation shaping his near-term future.
The photograph CM Punk shared serves as a candid reminder that behind all the scripted narratives, compelling rivalries, and championship pursuits exists genuine respect between these performers—a moment frozen in time that celebrates the achievement of three generations of WWE excellence.