John Cena will compete in his first match on weekly television as part of his 2025 retirement tour, facing Ron Killings on the June 20 broadcast of WWE SmackDown. The match was made official by SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis following a series of confrontations during the June 13 episode.
The conflict escalated throughout the most recent edition of SmackDown. During the opening segment, Cena addressed his “master plan” for his final year, a speech that was interrupted by Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and LA Knight. As Cena departed the ring, Killings ambushed him from behind on the entrance ramp. Later in the program, Cena called out his assailant, which led to a second attack by Killings. Following the altercation, Killings requested the match from management.
This new rivalry is built upon a significant character shift for Killings. After his WWE contract was not renewed, a fan movement online prompted the company to re-sign him. He made his surprise return at Money in the Bank on June 7, where he cost Cena a tag team match. Subsequently, he shed the comedic R-Truth persona, began using his real name, and cut off his signature dreadlocks to solidify the change to a more serious character.
The animosity has been intensified by sharp verbal exchanges. On a recent episode of WWE RAW, Cena dismissed Killings as a “lie” and a “sideshow comedian whose greatest achievement is pretending to be me,” directly challenging the fan support that fueled his return.
The feud with Killings serves as a direct disruption to the narrative Cena has presented for his retirement run. While Cena has claimed to be in full control of a strategic path toward a 17th world championship, the personal and unpredictable nature of Killings’ attacks presents an immediate and unexpected obstacle.
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