WWE Cuts Vince McMahon Reference from John Cena/CM Punk Video Package on This Week’s SmackDown

In an unsurprising-yet-bold move, WWE edited out Vince McMahon from the video package it aired for CM Punk and John Cena on SmackDown.

WWE Cuts Vince McMahon Reference from John Cena/CM Punk Video Package on This Week’s SmackDown

Vince McMahon edited from CM Punk and John Cena video package [via- WWE]

In the wake of the upcoming John Cena vs. CM Punk clash at Night of Champions, WWE ran a video package for their feud on this week’s SmackDown. It featured that infamous pipe-bomb promo from 2011, but with a subtle tweak. In the original one, ‘The Best in the World’ quipped that Cena was better than him in only one aspect—kissing Vince McMahon‘s a**.

However, the former WWE chairman’s name didn’t make it on air as the company aptly trimmed it off. The omission was extremely obvious, and the fans were all over it. WWE shunning its founder is a clear indication that the times have changed and the wrestling juggernaut is now owned by people outside of the McMahon family.

Both Cena and Punk have had different relationships with Mr. McMahon. While the wrestler-turned-actor continues to assert that he loves the ill-famed business magnate, ‘The Best in the World’ has mentioned during interviews that his WWE return became a reality only because McMahon was on his way out. The Chicagoan added that the XFL founder’s ouster paved the way for his comeback after a nearly decade-long hiatus.

On the last Raw of 2024, the ‘Second City Saint’ told Seth Rollins to his face that he left WWE because he hated the man in charge, which, at the time, was none other than McMahon. Moreover, the latter was referenced by Cody Rhodes in the war of words he had with ‘The Cenation Leader’ prior to WrestleMania 41. The ex-AEW EVP said that Cena was handpicked by McMahon to be the next face of the company.

John Cena’s pipebomb promo stole the night on SmackDown

Almost fourteen years to the night when CM Punk talked trash about a crestfallen John Cena, the latter recreated that iconic segment last night on SmackDown. The roles, however, were reversed this time around. After Cena put Punk through a table, the Undisputed WWE Champion made himself comfortable on a turnbuckle and got many things off his chest.

CM Punk and John Cena
CM Punk and John Cena [via- WWE]

‘The Franchise Player’ called his nemesis the best “bullsh*tter” in the world. Cena even acknowledged the fact that him dropping a curse word was a premonition of what’s about to come. Cena affirmed that Punk is a loudmouth opportunist who will step on the necks of people who actually work harder than him if it puts the Chicagoan ahead of them.

Just as Cena said it, he called for another camera and namedropped Claudio Castagnoli, fka Cesaro; Nic Nemeth, fka Dolph Ziggler; and Matt Cardona. Cena called Punk a billionaire and a capitalist who’s not against TKO. ‘The Babe Ruth of WWE’ reaffirmed that he’s the greatest of all time for the amount of work he’s put in for the last 25 years.

The fans cheered, “Thank you, Cena,” which made the latter emotional, and he added that everyone in the arena knew what he was talking about. The Ricky Stanicky star also quipped that Punk was the best in the world for 7 minutes fourteen years ago, which was when Punk dropped that pipe bomb. Cena urged Punk to bring his A-game to Night of Champions before leaving.

What more can fans expect from John Cena in this retirement tour?

John Cena has six months of time left as an in-ring competitor in WWE. And after his appearance on this week’s SmackDown, he’s left with 16 more dates to go. At this point, it’s unknown what The Cenation Leader will do next after wrestling CM Punk at Night of Champions on June 28 in Saudi Arabia.

John Cena on SmackDown
John Cena on SmackDown [via- WWE]

As per an update from Bryan Alvarez, WWE, as of a couple of weeks ago, had yet to figure out the remaining dates on Cena’s ongoing retirement tour. While there’s no word on if he’ll wrestle at Saturday Night’s Main Event on July 12, Cena will surely main event one of the nights at SummerSlam.

It’s heavily rumored that Cody Rhodes will end up getting his rematch for the Undisputed WWE title against the Massachusetts-born star at The Biggest Party of the Summer. ‘The American Nightmare’ will likely take on Randy Orton in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament and will have to down The Viper to avail himself of a title showdown against Cena.

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