John Cena dropped his own pipe bomb. During an electrifying WWE SmackDown at State Farm Arena, 16-time world champion John Cena unleashed a blistering promo that fans are hailing as a “pipebomb”, reminiscent of CM Punk’s iconic 2011 speech.
The segment saw Cena parody Punk’s legendary rant, dismantling his “best in the world” claim by branding him the “best bullshitter in the business”.
The promo, packed with sharp wit and unexpected shoutouts, has ignited the wrestling community, fuelling speculation about future WWE storylines and reigniting the Cena-Punk rivalry.
Cena’s promo began with a nod to Punk’s 2011 tirade, where he criticised WWE’s creative direction. Mimicking Punk’s cross-legged pose, Cena sarcastically praised Punk’s return to WWE while accusing him of coasting on past glory.
“You’re not the best in the world, Phil—you’re the best at selling snake oil,” Cena quipped, drawing a massive reaction from the 15,000-strong crowd.
The segment showcased Cena’s mic skills, with one user posting, “Cena just buried Punk.
In a surprising twist, Cena name-dropped former WWE stars Claudio Castagnoli (now Cesaro in AEW), Nic Nemeth (Dolph Ziggler in TNA), and Matt Cardona (independent circuit), praising their resilience and contributions outside WWE.
“These guys grind while Punk plays politician,” Cena said, hinting at potential cross-promotional storylines or returns. Wrestling analyst Dave Meltzer, cited on wrestlinginc.com, called the shoutouts “a deliberate nod to the broader wrestling landscape”, sparking buzz about WWE’s openness to collaborations.
The promo has amplified tensions in the ongoing Cena-Punk feud, a rivalry rooted in their 2011-2013 classics, including Money in the Bank. Fans speculate this could build toward a WrestleMania 42 showdown.
The segment also drew praise for Cena’s delivery, blending humour and intensity, with Sportskeeda noting it as “a masterclass in promo work”.
As WWE SmackDown viewership spikes, the wrestling world is abuzz with discussions about Cena’s impact and the implications for Punk, Castagnoli, Nemeth, and Cardona.
The promo’s fallout, covered by outlets like cagesideseats.com, underscores Cena’s influence as he nears retirement.
.@JohnCena has some things he wants to get off his chest… 😳#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/8IQAuTKBzp
— WWE (@WWE) June 21, 2025
