On the June 13 edition of WWE SmackDown, Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena addressed his upcoming title defense against CM Punk, framing the challenger’s acceptance of the match as a calculated outcome of a larger strategy. The segment took place live from the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky.
Cena detailed what he described as a “master plan,” which he claimed began with his retirement tour announcement six months prior. The champion asserted that he manipulated Punk into the scheduled match at Night of Champions in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
“I used CM Punk’s rebellious nature and sociopathic self confidence to back him into a corner where now, if CM Punk really wants to take this, he has to admit to himself that he’s a hypocrite,” Cena stated.
The champion’s address to the audience was subsequently interrupted by a series of competitors. Cody Rhodes was the first to emerge, directly challenging Cena’s narrative of strategic dominance by referencing his own recent victory over the champion at Money in the Bank.
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“The simple fact that this past Saturday you were looking at the lights when I pinned you in the center of this ring,” Rhodes said.
Following Rhodes, Randy Orton entered the ring and declared his intention to pursue a 15th World Title. LA Knight appeared next, positioning himself as an antagonist to the other wrestlers whom he collectively referred to as the “WWE establishment.”
“A sore thumb,” Knight said of his status in the ring.
Knight then stated his goal to defeat all competitors to win the World Championship. As Cena attempted to exit following the multiple confrontations, he was ambushed from behind by Ron Killings. The attack required security personnel to intervene and separate the two. The altercation is a continuation of their conflict from Money in the Bank on June 8, where Killings’ return contributed to a loss for Cena.
A rematch between John Cena and Ron Killings has been scheduled for the June 20 broadcast of SmackDown.
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