John Cena reignited his storied CM Punk and John Cena WWE Championship rivalry on the June 20th SmackDown, delivering a controversial “pipe bomb” as Punk lay prone in the ring, even referencing an AEW star during his address. The segment marks a heated escalation ahead of Cena and Punk’s upcoming WWE Title bout at Night of Champions, with WWE fans reacting strongly to the showdown’s high stakes and pointed insults.
A Decade-Long Feud Reignites in WWE
The tension between John Cena and CM Punk echoes back to their iconic 2011 Money In The Bank clash, sparked by Punk’s legendary “Pipe bomb” promo. Fourteen years later, the dynamic has now shifted: Cena once again holds the WWE Title while CM Punk returns as challenger. This time, Cena threatens to leave with his championship if he retains through his final run, which is set to end in late 2025. Their renewed rivalry brings a sense of unfinished business, as both superstars continue to captivate the WWE Universe.
Cena’s Disqualification and Explosive Aftermath
On SmackDown, John Cena was disqualified in his match against Ron Killings after he refused to let up his post-match assault. CM Punk intervened in an attempt to restore order. The situation quickly spiraled as Punk was sent crashing through a Slim Jim table, left defenseless in the center of the ring. With Punk unable to respond, Cena seized the spotlight, delivering a cutting promo that revisited and reshaped classic fan-favorite moments from their history.
John Cena’s Pipe Bomb Targets Punk’s Reputation and the Wrestling World
Adopting a somewhat lighter tone than Punk’s original “pipe bomb,” Cena openly criticized Punk’s shifting values, commenting that Punk changes
“as often as Cena brings out a new shirt.”
In a deliberate call-back to Punk’s breaking of the fourth wall during their historic encounters, Cena gestured to the camera and called out names directly connected to both men’s wrestling journeys. He referenced Colt Cabana, a longtime associate of Punk, before mentioning AEW star Claudio Castagnoli, TNA’s Nic Nemeth, and Matt Cardona, underscoring Punk’s perceived willingness to sacrifice others to get ahead. This approach, mixing levity with sharp critique, underscored the underlying tension and competitive edge defining their renewed conflict.
The Road to Night of Champions Intensifies
As the 17-time champion John Cena prepares to defend his title against CM Punk at Night of Champions, the drama surrounding their feud now includes references to rival organizations like AEW and TNA. With Cena threatening to depart WWE as champion when his run concludes, the anticipation for this latest clash is at a fever pitch among fans and insiders alike. Each mention—from Ron Killings to Slim Jim, from Matt Cardona to Vince McMahon—serves to heighten the sense that this rivalry has ramifications across the wider wrestling world.
How John Cena and CM Punk’s bitter rivalry unfolds on the grand stage may shape WWE storylines for the foreseeable future, with the involvement of names like Claudio Castagnoli and other major players hinting at further surprises as the title showdown approaches. The continued intensity and unpredictability of the CM Punk and John Cena WWE Championship rivalry ensures that every new development will be closely watched by the global wrestling audience.
