The intended narrative coming out of Money in the Bank was supposed to center on Cody Rhodes pinning John Cena, but that pivotal moment was completely overshadowed. Instead, the wrestling world is focused on how and why R-Truth made his shocking return, a development that was not part of the original script for the event.
According to Dave Meltzer on the June 8, 2025, edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE’s decision to bring Ron Killings back was an eleventh-hour pivot. The move was a direct response to the powerful “We Want Truth” fan movement that gained significant traction throughout the week.
He’s back because of the fans. Okay, that’s the deal. He’s back because of the fans. They saw the outcry, and then they wanted to make him— they basically, you know, tore apart what they were going to do tonight when they brought him back and wanted to do the big moment. You know, they’re into moments. And as a moment, it was a big moment. You know, it was a surprise. It got everyone talking.
This audible from WWE came at the expense of the planned storyline advancement between Rhodes and Cena. The company chose the viral potential of a surprise R-Truth appearance over the established creative direction. Despite Triple H’s attempt to frame the return as business as usual, Meltzer confirmed the reactive nature of the booking.
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It’s not like it was a work… it was a late decision. They wanted that moment. And for them, that was more important than the original story.
The immediate result was a shift in the entire post-show conversation, nullifying the impact of the planned main event angle.
The focus of this show was originally Cody Rhodes pins John Cena… Instead, the focus is they brought back R-Truth. Did they work everyone? That became the story. Cody pinning Cena? Nobody’s talking about it.
WWE’s swift reversal demonstrates the influence of the audience’s passionate response to Truth’s initial departure, forcing the company to alter its creative path and manage a narrative that was never the original intention.
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