R-Truth, now in the later stages of his wrestling career, has sparked speculation about creating a new faction on WWE SmackDown as he recently returned to the company at the Money in the Bank event. After being released following his feud with John Cena at Saturday Night’s Main Event in May, fan outcry compelled WWE leadership, including Triple H, to reinstate him. This comeback has seen a more serious and focused R-Truth emerge, moving away from his previous comedic persona.
The 53-year-old veteran appears poised to lead a new alliance featuring other prominent WWE champions. His recent Instagram post included a selfie with Angelo Dawkins, Montez Ford of Street Profits, and former NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes, accompanied by the caption, “Let’s go where we going.” Fans widely interpret this as a hint toward a new faction forming on SmackDown.
Context Surrounding the Prospective Alliance
This possible faction aligns with recent WWE trends where heel groups such as Solo Sikoa’s MFT and Seth Rollins’ latest alliance have thrived, elevating their members’ profiles significantly. R-Truth’s move makes sense strategically, given he is not currently involved in any high-profile rivalries on SmackDown. His recent win over Aleister Black, achieved by pinning the former AEW star, has kept him relevant without major storyline commitments.
The members linked to this group also are without significant narrative engagements. The Street Profits recently lost their WWE Tag Team Championship to Wyatt Sicks members Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy, while Carmelo Hayes hasn’t featured in recent storylines after his King of the Ring quarter-final match on the June 13, 2025, edition of SmackDown. This creates an opportunity for the four wrestlers to unite and pursue fresh angles together.
Mark Henry Comments on R-Truth’s Controversial Exit
WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry spoke candidly about R-Truth’s abrupt release, explaining that the company’s leadership under Triple H avoided the backlash expected from firing such a popular figure. On a recent episode of Shak Wrestling, Henry emphasized that R-Truth’s fan support was strong despite his limited appearances.
“WWE did not want that smoke. They didn’t want they didn’t want the fans to be like, ‘This is a guy that was number one in t-shirt sales. You gonna get rid of him?’ This is a guy that just the week before had a match against your champion and got as much of a reaction as the champion did walk into the ring. This is a guy that had three matches in the year prior, but he was still able to go to the ring and have everybody in the building cheer him. I dare you to name another wrestler that happened to this year,” he said. —Mark Henry, WWE Hall of Famer
Former SmackDown Women’s Champion Natalya also recognized R-Truth’s significant fan support, highlighting the unique bond between the 53-year-old and WWE’s audience. The attention R-Truth continues to generate points to his enduring popularity and importance within the company.
The Future Implications of R-Truth’s Leadership Role
R-Truth’s possible leadership of this new faction could reshape WWE SmackDown’s landscape, bringing together accomplished wrestlers like Carmelo Hayes and The Street Profits under a single banner. This group has the potential to inject fresh momentum into the brand, offering new rivalries and storylines that could engage fans.
As the faction develops, WWE viewers can expect to see dynamic collaborations and intensified competition on SmackDown. For R-Truth, this represents a chance to leave a lasting legacy during the closing chapter of his in-ring career, making meaningful contributions beyond his past comedic role.
