When John Cena stepped to the microphone on the June 20 SmackDown, wrestling fans witnessed something special. The 17-time World Champion delivered a scathing takedown of CM Punk that had the wrestling world buzzing. Now, one of the most respected voices in the industry has weighed in with his verdict.
The Pipebomb Gets Flipped
Bully Ray broke down Cena’s explosive promo on Busted Open Radio, calling it a masterclass in full-circle storytelling. The WWE Hall of Famer believes Cena deliberately crafted his own version of CM Punk’s legendary 2011 pipebomb promo.
Ray’s analysis cut straight to the heart of what made the segment work. Cena didn’t just attack Punk – he used Punk’s own playbook against him.
“I’m gonna dumb it down, I’m gonna keep it simple — full circle. Full circle moment, full circle promo. [Cena basically said] ‘I’m going to take what you did 10 years ago, and I’m going to do it better, and I’m going to make it memorable just as you did. I’m going to take your words and shove it straight up your a*s while you lay there uncomfortably and listen.'”
Breaking Down the SmackDown Showdown
Cena’s promo appeared to veer off the scripted path as he tore into Punk’s character. The Leader of Cenation accused the Second City Saint of selfishness, claiming Punk steals opportunities from other wrestlers. The verbal assault went deeper, with Cena breaking kayfabe and suggesting Punk manipulates the WWE Universe.
Most cutting of all, Cena directly challenged Punk’s “Best in the World” moniker. The promo felt raw and unfiltered in a way that reminded longtime fans of wrestling’s most memorable shoot-style moments.
The Corporate Kiss-Ass Callback
Ray specifically praised how Cena incorporated elements from Punk’s original pipebomb. References to “kissing corporate ass” and other classic Punk talking points showed the depth of preparation behind what seemed like an impromptu explosion.
These callbacks weren’t accidental – they were surgical strikes designed to hit Punk where it hurt most.
Making Up for Lost Time
Recent weeks had seen some criticism of Cena’s heel character work, with fans questioning whether the beloved babyface could effectively play the villain. Ray believes this SmackDown promo silenced those doubters completely.
“Taking the pipebomb and bringing it back, mentioning names, talking about kissing corporate a*s, the table — the whole 9 yards. It’s beautiful storytelling. There’s zero to not like. He did it so fu**ing well last Friday night that he kinda makes up for whatever you didn’t get the last couple of weeks.”
Perfect Execution Under Pressure
The Busted Open host went as far as challenging anyone to find flaws in the segment. His confidence in rating it as a “perfect promo” speaks volumes about the quality of storytelling WWE achieved.
Ray’s enthusiasm reflects the broader wrestling community’s reaction to seeing two of the industry’s best mic workers engage in psychological warfare.
The Art of the Comeback
What made Cena’s promo particularly effective was how it flipped the script on Punk’s greatest strength. For over a decade, CM Punk has been celebrated for his ability to blur the lines between reality and storyline. Cena took that weapon and turned it against its creator.
The “full circle” nature of the segment creates compelling television that rewards longtime fans while still being accessible to newer viewers. It’s exactly the kind of layered storytelling that elevates wrestling beyond simple athletic competition.
As this feud continues to develop, one thing is clear – John Cena just proved he can hang with CM Punk in the verbal sparring department. But will Punk have an answer for getting beaten at his own game, or has Cena found the perfect formula to get under the skin of wrestling’s most outspoken rebel?
