The wrestling world witnessed something spectacular at King of the Ring when Logan Paul launched himself through the air with a death-defying Lionsault to the outside. What fans didn’t know? His own tag team partner thought he’d fail miserably.
The Move That Had Everyone Talking
During the June 7 Premium Live Event, Paul and John Cena fell short against the duo of Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso. However, the match’s most jaw-dropping moment came when Paul executed an incredible Lionsault from the middle rope, soaring through the air to crash down on Jey Uso at the announcer’s table.
The high-risk maneuver showcased Paul’s athletic ability and willingness to put his body on the line. Few expected the YouTube star turned wrestler to attempt something so dangerous with such precision.
WrestleMania Success Sparked the Idea
Speaking on his Impaulsive podcast, Paul traced the origins of his ambitious spot back to WrestleMania 41. His regular Lionsault on AJ Styles planted the seed for something bigger.
“That particular move is called the Lionsault. I did it to AJ Styles at WrestleMania and there’s one angle where you see me fly 90% across the ring, like way further than I thought I could. So I looked at that and went ‘Dude, I could do this to the outside, I could do this on the f**king table.'”
The distance measurements told the story of just how ambitious this spot was. At 10 feet from rope to table, Paul was attempting something that would challenge even veteran high-flyers.
Puerto Rico Practice Sessions
Paul didn’t leave anything to chance, spending time in Puerto Rico perfecting the technique. His preparation paid off as he consistently nailed the landing during practice runs, building the confidence needed for the live performance.
Cena’s Blunt Assessment
The most revealing part of Paul’s story involved his conversation with the 16-time World Champion before their match. Cena’s reaction was brutally honest and surprisingly discouraging.
“It’s before the match and I’m telling John Cena, I was like ‘Hey, I’d like to fit this spot in there, right?’ He looks at me and goes ‘You can’t make that jump.’ I go ‘I swear to God, I can.'”
Even after Paul’s insistence, Cena remained skeptical. The veteran’s doubt extended beyond just casual concern – it reflected genuine disbelief in Paul’s athletic capabilities.
“John’s the best, but in full sincerity, he goes ‘You can’t make that jump.’ I found out no one believed I could make that jump.”
The Painful Reality of Success
While Paul successfully executed the move, the aftermath revealed the true cost of his ambition. The landing proved far more punishing than anticipated, even for someone accustomed to extreme physical challenges.
“I’m sure it’s been done before, but it was well executed and I’m f**king alive, but it was a really hard landing, really hard. I have this ability to turn the fear switch off… When I landed, straight up, I was not sure if I broke both my f**king shins.”
Paul’s ability to compartmentalize fear allowed him to commit fully to the spot. This mental approach separates him from typical celebrity wrestlers who might hesitate in crucial moments.
R-Truth’s Surprise Return
The match’s conclusion brought another unexpected element when R-Truth – now performing under his real name Ron Killings – made a surprise interference. His involvement allowed Cody Rhodes to capitalize and secure the victory by pinning John Cena.
According to Paul, this return caught him completely off-guard. The surprise element added another layer of unpredictability to an already eventful contest.
Proving the Doubters Wrong
Paul’s successful execution of the Lionsault spot represents more than just a spectacular wrestling move. It demonstrates his evolution from celebrity participant to legitimate performer willing to take serious risks for the business.
The fact that even John Cena doubted his ability makes the successful execution even more impressive. Will this death-defying performance finally silence critics who question Paul’s commitment to professional wrestling, or will he need to continue putting his body on the line to earn their respect?
