John Cena cut a pipebomb promo on CM Punk tonight in what will undeniably be considered his best work as a heel so far in 2025. Punk's reaction after getting up was captured after SmackDown went off the air.
To put things very simply, nearly 14 years after CM Punk's iconic pipebomb, it was John Cena who got to be in the driver's seat to recreate his big moment. His match against R-Truth ended in a DQ, and Cena set up the Slim Jim™ table and sent The Second City Saint through it. He then went on to cut a parallel version of the pipebomb promo, with his own twist.
Referee Daphanie LeShaunn helped CM Punk get to his feet after SmackDown went off the air, and his response was visible as he struggled to get up and looked a bit in disbelief.
You can watch the full video below:
It's a shame that the story of John Cena and The Second City Saint ends just one week from now. It's one of the most defining rivalries for both men. For Cena, it's undoubtedly one of his five greatest rivalries, and you could argue that Cena is Punk's greatest-ever rival.
To see the parallels on screen 14 years later was nothing short of a surreal experience for the WWE Universe.