R-Truth was one of the biggest stories across wrestling. His sudden release over the weekend led to a groundswell of support. News of his release via contract expiration caused fans and peers alike to speak out in shock. The result? Truth would return at WWE Money in the Bank 2025, attacking John Cena and setting him up for Cody Rhodes to pick up the victory. It was a huge moment and one that should push to something interesting for Truth at this late stage of his career.
For days, R-Truth's support was one of the biggest movements that brought the wrestling community together. From Monday Night Raw through Money in the Bank, fans would chant “We Want Truth,” even if it were a disruption to the match or segment going on at that time. Fans wanted WWE to bring back the only African American to hold the NWA World Heavyweight Championship, and they wanted him back immediately.
It looks like that support worked, as Truth returned and returned in a big way. The fans at the show responded with a huge pop, and those online expressed happiness that he was back in the WWE. On commentary, Michael Cole acknowledged that WWE and Truth couldn’t come to a contractual agreement, but it looks like that was solved, a rare breaking of the fourth wall during a major show. With Truth’s return and return during a major angle, the question is where does this go next? There are certainly some interesting possibilities.
Where does R-Truth go now that he’s back in the WWE?
What does this moment mean exactly? Is R-Truth back for an extended run, or is this more of a farewell tour deserving of someone who has achieved so much in their career? Either answer is acceptable and understandable. Truth is 53 years old as of this writing and well past his prime. His best days are certainly behind him, but he’s continued to find a way to contribute with whatever he’s asked to do.
PWInsider reports he will go by his real name, Ron Killings, for now, signaling some type of storyline development. The deal came together in the last 72 hours, according to their report.
It would be interesting if this led to a rematch of sorts between Cena and Truth. They battled at the latest edition of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, with Cena winning in less than five minutes. Imagine if that is built upon, with Cena versus Truth turning into a match for Cena’s Undisputed WWE Championship. To raise the stakes even higher, Cena should demand that Truth put his career on the line. Then, WWE could tell a story that would build to something meaningful and effectively write Truth off television as an in-ring performer, perhaps giving him a backstage role.
There’s a reason fans and peers expressed so much disdain for WWE’s decision not to renew R-Truth’s contract. TKO was hit with an immediate backlash, as this was another example of Endeavor’s soiling WWE’s legacy, even though the company and many of its biggest names were already doing that themselves.
This is a rare change in direction for WWE as well. There are a few times when fan backlash pushed the company to change where it was headed. Examples like Becky Lynch’s rise, Daniel Bryan’s “Yes” movement, and even pushing back against The Rock versus Roman Reigns are among a short list of times when the fan response had an impact. It will be interesting to see if TKO is more open to making changes in the future. Either way, seeing R-Truth’s return was a big way to close out Money in the Bank 2025.