John Cena Delivers "Pipebomb" to CM Punk, Reversing Iconic Moment

On the June 20, 2025, episode of WWE SmackDown, John Cena delivered his own version of a "pipebomb" promo, directly targeting CM Punk. This highly anticipated segment served as a direct callback and reversal of Punk's famous 2011 "pipebomb" that redefined his career and captivated the wrestling world.

The dramatic moment unfolded after Cena's match against Ron Killings, which ended in a disqualification after Cena used his Undisputed WWE Championship belt. CM Punk then appeared, leading to a brawl. Cena gained the upper hand, delivering a low blow, multiple shots with the title, and finally, an Attitude Adjustment through a table. With Punk laid out, Cena seized a microphone and, perched on the turnbuckle in a mirror image of Punk's 2011 stance, unleashed a scathing promo.

Cena, now operating with a more villainous edge, declared his departure from the company in six months with the title, hinting at a desire to finally "get a lot of stuff off his chest." He directly addressed Punk, stating he didn't hate him, but rather liked him more than anyone Punk had ever shared a locker room with. He accused Punk of being the "best bullshitter in the world" and no longer "The Voice of the Voiceless," but instead a "millionaire" and "capitalist" – even referring to him as "Mr. TKO."

In a move that sent ripples through the wrestling community, Cena also made pointed references to former WWE talents now working in other promotions, including Claudio Castagnoli (AEW), Nic Nemeth (TNA), and Matt Cardona. This drew parallels to Punk's original pipebomb, where he famously mentioned Colt Cabana. Cena's message was clear: Punk, once the rebellious anti-establishment figure, had become exactly what he once railed against.

The reception to Cena's pipebomb has been mixed but largely positive. Many fans and critics lauded it as some of the best mic work of Cena's recent heel run, praising its self-awareness and the clever mirroring of Punk's original promo. The segment effectively blurred the lines of good and evil, with many fans in attendance cheering Cena despite his heelish actions and words.

However, some felt the promo could have gone further, wishing Cena had delved into more controversial real-life issues surrounding Punk, such as his past criticisms of WWE's dealings with Saudi Arabia or his backstage reputation. Despite this, the consensus is that the promo achieved its primary goal: generating significant buzz and further intensifying the rivalry between Cena and Punk ahead of their Undisputed WWE Championship match at Night of Champions on June 28th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

This "reverse pipebomb" serves as a compelling chapter in the long-standing narrative between two of wrestling's most iconic figures, proving that even after years, their rivalry can still deliver unexpected and impactful moments.