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CM Punk Goes Old School With John Cena On WWE SmackDown

By John Canton • Published Jun 27, 2025 16:51 EDT
CM Punk WWE

CM Punk turned back the clock one night ahead of his WWE Night of Champions showdown with John Cena.

The main event of WWE Night of Champions in Riyadh will see John Cena defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against perhaps his greatest rival, CM Punk.

While Cena and Punk have locked up at the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, the two rivals haven’t met in a singles match in over a decade. Many WWE fans still remember their legendary matches, moments, and promos that made them two of the most popular superstars ever.

On the June 20th edition of WWE SmackDown, Cena attacked Punk with two belt shots to the head and the Attitude Adjustment through a table in the ring. Cena followed up with one of the greatest promos of his career as he sat on the turnbuckle while Punk lay on the broken table.

Cena would go on to recreate Punk’s legendary June 2011 “Pipebomb” promo that fans still remember to this day. It was perhaps the best moment of Cena’s heel run so far.

At WWE SmackDown in Riyadh, Cena told Riyadh to get used to him as the WWE Champion because this is what a winner looks like. Cena said he’s a winner and CM Punk is a loser. Cena said that Punk is out of tricks because Cena is a genius. Cena said that Night of Champions is a formality and CM Punk can do nothing about it.

That’s when the surprise began. John Cena’s “Basic Thuganomics” song played, which was Cena’s entrance song that he performed and used over 20 years ago.

CM Punk made his entrance wearing a Chicago Cubs throwback jersey, jorts, a backwards hat and the words “Drug Free” on his hands. The fans in Saudi Arabia seemed to remember “Basic Thuganomics” as they sang it.

“This Is Basic Punkanomics” – CM Punk To John Cena

CM Punk got in the ring and told John Cena, “This is Basic Punkanomics.” Punk said that Cena plagiarized his pipebomb, so he’s stealing Word Life.

That led to Punk doing a rap saying that Cena cut his best promo while he moves slow mo. Punk said that he’s like a Temu Maclemore with less rhythm. Punk said that Cena called him a player hater, but Cena has buried more talent than The Undertaker. Punk had a line about how WWE rehired Cena’s ex, referring to Nikki Bella, so that’s why Cena is retiring.

Punk talked about Cena getting movie roles, but we see Batista act and realize that Cena ain’t that. Punk referenced Hulk Hogan and said that Cena was more problematic.

As he continued, Punk said that millions chant his name while they chant “You Can’t Wrestle” at Cena, so the fans chanted it at Cena.

Speaking to the fans, Punk said that in six months, Cena will be gone while Punk will be here. Punk said that Cena will be washing underwear for James Gunn and he said that Cena works for DC, but he’s straight to DVD. Punk mentioned “You Can’t See Me” and he called Cena a bum.

CM Punk mentioned that his “Pipebomb” promo was 14 years ago today. Punk said that Cena is a leach, a phony, a fraud and an ass kiss, 17-time World Champion, but he’s never been in Punk’s class. Punk said that tomorrow night, “You’re going to lose to Kendrick, cuz b**ch, you’re my Drake.” That led to Punk doing the “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture at Cena.

To end the show, CM Punk celebrated with the fans while the “Cult of Personality” song played. Cena said nothing in response to Punk as Punk posed with the fans. Cena looked disgusted in the ring.

You can watch WWE Night of Champions when it streams live from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday, June 28, at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix everywhere else.

Here’s the full transcript of CM Punk’s rap toward John Cena.

Yo, check it, this is Basic Punkanomics.

Don’t adjust your television set, your eyes are working just right. This clown plagiarised my pipebomb so now I’m stealing Word Life.

You had to rip me off to cut your best promo, just to distract from the fact that we all see you move in slow mo.

Remember when he used to rap? You deserve all the criticism, you’re like a Temu Macklemore with Mackle-less rhythm.

He said I’m a problem, he called me a player hater, let’s be honest, John Cena’s buried more talent than the Undertaker.

That’s why he’s the champ and went and lost all his respects, but John I get it, I’d retire too if this place rehired my ex.

If you never said your prayers, ate your vitamins or fixed your bald spot, you wouldn’t be a pro wrestler, you’d be a Boston Mall Cop.

But hey, he gets good movie roles that much is a fact, and then you see Batista act and you realise John ain’t that.

Same shirt, same hat, man your persona stayed tragic. You’re like a fish bellied white Hulk Hogan but somehow more problematic.

Yo, when it comes to Best in the World, I’m your vessel, because millions chant my name and at you they chant ‘you can’t wrestle’.

Get it in while you can in six months he’ll be gone, I’ll still be here having fun, he won’t have time for you little people anymore, he’ll be busy washing underwear for James Gunn.

He’s a superhero now, he works for DC, but no matter how hard you try, you’ll always be the Marine to me. And that’s straight to DVD, better find a PS3, I now understand ‘you can’t see me’.

It’s a hell of a catchphrase John, but now it’s done, because we all see you and we’re looking at a washed up bum.

14 years ago today, I dropped the legendary pipebomb, and you tried to make it all about you because that’s what you do John, you’re a leech, you’re a phony, you’re a fraud, you’re an ass kiss. 17 time champion but you ain’t ever been on my class.

Before you go John, there’s one more wish to make, tomorrow night you’re gonna lose to Kendrick because bitch, you’re my Drake! (H/T Wrestletalk)