John Cena's Babyface Return Shines Bright as Logan Paul Taps Out in Epic Paris Clash

John Cena proved why his brief heel experiment failed spectacularly when he faced off against Logan Paul at WWE Clash in Paris 2025. Inside the Paris La Défense Arena, “The Champ” delivered a masterclass in professional wrestling that had the crowd electric from start to finish. After months of struggling with his villain role opposite Cody Rhodes, Cena’s return to his natural babyface persona marked a turning point—and his dominant victory over Paul demonstrated he still has plenty left in the tank before his retirement.

The Match That Vindicated Cena’s Babyface Identity

Cena’s transformation back into a beloved competitor wasn’t just storyline—it was validated by his performance. Paul, positioned as WWE’s premier antagonist, threw everything at “The Champ,” but Cena’s superior positioning and experience ultimately prevailed. The two warriors exchanged an array of high-flying moves and technical exchanges that kept spectators on edge. From Paul’s impressive blockbuster off the middle rope to Cena’s signature shoulder tackles and attempts at the Attitude Adjustment, neither competitor gave ground easily.

The match featured several near-falls that had the crowd believing the finish was imminent. Paul displayed impressive athleticism with leaping uppercuts and submission holds, while Cena countered with devastating clotheslines and attempted finishers. The back-and-forth momentum swings showcased both men’s capabilities, though Cena’s experience in these high-stakes encounters became increasingly apparent as the contest progressed.

The Decisive Finish and What It Means

In the final sequence, Cena planted Paul with a modified flatliner, then hoisted him for what would be the decisive Attitude Adjustment. Paul kicked out at two. The exchange of strikes continued until Cena executed a Styles Clash that nearly brought the roof down. When Cena finally connected with consecutive Attitude Adjustments—culminating in an avalanche AA—the referee counted to three, sealing the victory.

This win marks a significant moment for Cena, who now has fewer than four months remaining in his WWE career before his retirement match scheduled for December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event. The performance demonstrated that Cena hasn’t lost a step as a competitor and remains a draw capable of main event caliber performances.

What’s Next: Cena Heads Toward Lesnar While Paul Seeks Direction

Cena’s victory sets the stage for what could be one of the most anticipated matches of his final run. Following Brock Lesnar’s shocking return and attack on Cena at SummerSlam, WWE is reportedly scheduling a massive showdown between the two legends at WrestlePalooza next month. This event marks WWE’s debut on ESPN, a landmark partnership that demands a main event of historic significance. Lesnar versus Cena qualifies, as both men chase one final major victory before transitioning into the next chapter of their careers.

For Logan Paul, the future remains less defined. Despite the loss, Cena has publicly praised Paul’s abilities, even calling him world championship material and a potential WrestleMania main event performer. Paul proved during this feud that he possesses both the in-ring capability and microphone skills to operate at an elite level. However, WWE’s limited roster on SmackDown—and the reluctance to push Paul directly into the WWE Championship conversation—suggests his next feud may involve mid-card players like Damian Priest or Sami Zayn, representing a temporary step back in his trajectory.