After years of comedic skits, dance breaks, and title shenanigans, R-Truth shocked the WWE Universe by launching back-to-back attacks on John Cena. Once loyal to the champ, the 53-year-old star now wants to be the man who ends the run of “The Never Seen 17.”
R-Truth Is Done Playing Nice
It all started at WWE Backlash 2025 PLE. Truth had Cena’s back against The Viper Randy Orton, helping him secure a gritty win and retain his Undisputed WWE Championship. But instead of gratitude, Cena attacked him at the event’s press conference, breaking years of loyalty in seconds.
At the 2025 Money in the Bank premium live event, after being released by WWE, Truth got even. Disguised in a hoodie, he returned and blindsided the 17-time WWE Champion during the main event, allowing Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso to score the upset win over him and Logan Paul. The message was loud and clear: Truth wants retaliation for the betrayal.
This week on Friday SmackDown, the former WWE 24/7 Championship ambushed Cena again on the entrance ramp to start the show. Then, when Cena called him out later, CM Punk showed up instead for a war of words.
But as soon as Punk exited the ring, Truth struck again, locking The Last Real Champion in his own submission move, the STF, leaving the champ gasping. Officials had to run out to the ring to stop Truth from breaking Cena’s leg.
Backstage, General Manager Nick Aldis wasn’t happy about it and asked Truth to stop attacking Cena. Truth agreed but on one condition: a rematch against The Champ, and hence Aldis booked Truth vs. Cena next week on the blue brand episode.
RUN IT BACK!
We’re getting @RonKillings vs. @johncena next week 👏#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/yoztFSBtab
— WWE (@WWE) June 14, 2025
The Big Question: Could Truth Really Dethrone John Cena?
The short answer to this question is ‘no’. As much momentum as Truth has right now, Cena’s reign feels untouchable. WWE seems to be saving his downfall for a grander stage, perhaps SummerSlam, or maybe even his retirement match in Boston this December. That’s when the roof will blow off, not on a weekly SmackDown.
Besides, Cena’s holding that title like a badge of legacy. He’s got one foot in Hollywood and one in the ring, but WWE is making every second of his farewell tour count. And while Truth is red-hot, he’s still not the A-list rival WWE would script as Big Match John’s final foil.
Truth already had a chance to dethrone Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but he failed. The chances of him receiving the next fate next week are very high. But anything can happen in WWE.