(Video) R-Truth Ambushes John Cena from Behind After CM Punk’s Epic Promo on SmackDown

Ron "R-Truth" Killings nailed John Cena with a couple of surprise attacks on this week's SmackDown. They'll go one-on-one next Friday.

(Video) R-Truth Ambushes John Cena from Behind After CM Punk’s Epic Promo on SmackDown

John Cena, CM Punk, and R-Truth [via- WWE]

John Cena was heavily factored into this week’s SmackDown in Lexington. Having already been attacked by R-Truth, aka Ron Killings, earlier on the show, the Undisputed WWE Champion was livid and decided to confront him. But instead of Truth, Cena got CM Punk. As soon as The Best in the World’s music hit, the Peacemaker star was flummoxed.

For the unversed, Cena will put his title on the line against Punk at Night of Champions in Riyadh on June 28. Last night, The Second City Saint reminded the Real Last Champion why he’s often hailed as Cena’s greatest rival. Before circling back to it, one must take into account that after Punk was done bashing Cena, the latter was blindsided by R-Truth.

The 53-year-old locked his former childhood hero into an STF and had to be tamed by the security personnel. It was the second instance of its kind on the show where Killings had Cena begging for his life. WWE has made Cena vs. Truth official for next week’s SmackDown in what will be The Franchise Player’s first TV match in the ongoing retirement tour.

Truth and Cena squared off at Saturday Night’s Main Event last month. However, the 48-year-old hoodwinked the former Judgment Day by feigning innocence and went low on the latter when the referee was distracted. Just like that, Cena put away Truth.

After a few days, Killings announced that he’s departing WWE as the company wasn’t keen on renewing his deal. But a gargantuan fan uproar persuaded the top brass to reconsider its decision, and the fan favorite was brought back.

What did CM Punk say to John Cena on SmackDown?

As mentioned above, before R-Truth crashed the party, CM Punk was busy schooling John Cena. The Second City Saint mentioned that, just like the old times’ sake, he’s back to make Cena’s title reign more interesting, let alone make his underwhelming farewell tour a bit more palatable.

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

The Chicagoan disputed Cena’s claim of Punk not being resolute enough to dethrone him at Night of Champions by saying that Cena could fly around in his private jet anywhere. But it wouldn’t matter, as he’d follow him even to Mars to beat him up. The Red-Headed Stepchild called Cena a GOAT but said he fell in that category as well.

Punk reminded Cena of making him bite the dust in both of their respective hometowns. The former AEW star even mocked The Franchise Player’s Mt. Rushmore list that he mentioned on SmackDown by taking all four spots on it.

Punk affirmed that it belonged to the likes of Terry Funk, Harley Race, Bret Hart, and Eddie Guerrero. Punk called Cena’s audacious act a joke, gave him a shove, and left. It was followed by R-Truth ambushing The Cenation Leader, as already discussed.

Cody Rhodes gave John Cena a reality check on SmackDown

Cody Rhodes has been chasing John Cena and the Undisputed WWE title that the latter unjustly took from him at WrestleMania 41 ever since his return. At Money in the Bank last weekend, Rhodes pinned Cena in a tag team match. The American Nightmare asked the Hollywood mogul why he decided to shun it while bragging about how everything is going according to the plan for Cena.

Cody Rhodes and John Cena
Cody Rhodes and John Cena (via- WWE)

In the main event of SmackDown, The Prodigal Son ousted Damian Priest, Andrade, and Shinsuke Nakamura to advance to the semifinals of the King of the Ring tournament. Rhodes will now face the winner of “Big” Bronson Reed vs. Rusev vs. Sheamus vs. Jey Uso for a place in the tournament finals.

The 2025 King of the Ring will be crowned at Night of Champions on June 28, and the winner will be entitled to a world title shot at the champion of their respective brand at SummerSlam. Who knows if that’s how Rhodes gets his rematch for the WWE title against Cena?

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