It was supposed to be John Cena’s last ride, his final Undisputed WWE Championship defense against Randy Orton after a 25-year saga of respect, resentment, and countless RKOs. Instead, the closing segment of WWE SmackDown became a chaotic masked mugging, a dramatic double turn, and the shocking main roster debut of Shawn Spears—whether WWE officially admits it or not.
🎭 Two Hoods, One Swerve
As Cena gave one last mic drop at Orton’s expense—likely something about raising three generations of his children—a pair of masked attackers stormed the ring. The Dayton crowd assumed the second man was Orton. They were right. But the first hooded assailant? Turns out, that wasn’t just a random henchman.
According to eagle-eyed fans (and one very determined wrestling detective named Rony Mac on X), the tattoos on the attacker’s taped forearms match those of “NXT” star Shawn Spears—the former North American Champion and current leader of The Culling.
🧢 Cena vs. Spears: Surprise Adjustment
Cena, still possessed of more ring awareness than most security cameras, countered Spears mid-attack and hit him with an Attitude Adjustment, giving the audience their “AH-HA!” moment just before Randy Orton slithered in and RKO’d Cena into the mat like it was 2009 all over again.
Then, in a cinematic scene straight out of a career retrospective gone rogue, Orton held the title over Cena’s unconscious body, and the crowd cheered like they’d just seen a ghost finally get justice.
🔄 The Double Turn Heard ‘Round the WWE Universe
For the first time in their two-decade war, Cena and Orton swapped roles. Cena now walks into WWE Backlash as the jaded “Last Real Champion,” no longer saluting fans but talking down to them. Orton, usually the venomous villain, is being hailed as the battle-tested legend standing up to Cena’s ego trip.
It’s the “Double Turn” that no one expected but now no one wants to undo.
🧠 Who is Shawn Spears?
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Former North American Champion, losing the title just last month to Ricky Saints.
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Current leader of The Culling, an “NXT” faction that sounds like a metalcore band and hits like one too.
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Returned to WWE for the third time at “NXT Vengeance Day” 2024.
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Now possibly the latest NXT call-up via unannounced sneak attack—classic old-school style.