- John Cena fires up the crowd during the WWE Fastlane pro wrestling event Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Credits: © Hali Tauxe/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

John Cena Gets Sucker Punched by Logan Paul’s Epic WWE Botch – And It’s Peak Comedy

Originally posted on Total Apex Sports | By Fahad Hamid | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 9:07 AM ET

Well, well, well. Logan Paul has done it again, folks. The YouTube-turned-boxer-turned-wrestler extraordinaire has managed to throw what might be the most embarrassingly bad punch in WWE history, and honestly? I’m here for it.

During Friday night’s SmackDown episode, Paul was supposed to deliver a sneaky backstage attack on none other than John Cena himself. You know, the 16-time WWE Champion who’s seen more action than a Michael Bay movie. But instead of landing a convincing blow, Paul whiffed harder than a Little League batter facing Cy Young.

Logan Paul’s Punch Misses Harder Than His Boxing Career

Let’s set the scene: There’s Cena, probably thinking about his upcoming retirement and how he’s carried WWE on his shoulders for two decades, when suddenly Logan Paul comes flying in like a caffeinated squirrel. The plan was simple – surprise attack, connect with Cena’s jaw, sell the drama. What actually happened? Paul threw what can only be described as the most pathetic attempt at stage combat since your high school drama club’s production of Romeo and Juliet.

The punch missed by such a wide margin that Cena probably felt more breeze than impact. It was so bad that even WWE‘s production team – who’ve somehow made us believe that grown men in underwear throwing each other around is peak entertainment – couldn’t salvage it.

WWE’s Damage Control Goes Into Overdrive

Here’s where it gets really juicy. Instead of just rolling with the botch like any self-respecting wrestling promotion would do, WWE decided to reshoot the entire segment. Yes, you read that right. They literally said “Cut! Take two!” like they’re filming the next Avengers movie.

But here’s the kicker – they aired BOTH versions. The original disaster made it onto Netflix, while the reshoot got the TV treatment. Because nothing says “professional wrestling” quite like having multiple takes of your “spontaneous” backstage brawls.

The second attempt wasn’t much better, mind you. Paul walked right into frame like he was delivering a pizza, completely destroying any illusion of surprise. It’s like watching someone try to sneak up on you while wearing tap shoes and jingling keys.

Social Media Has Zero Chill About This Mess

Twitter absolutely exploded with reactions that were more entertaining than the actual segment. One user perfectly summed it up: “WWE editing team working harder than creative at this point.” Ouch, but fair.

Another fan threw some serious shade: “People hyped Logan as generational talent lol, but he’s straight ass.” Look, I’m not saying they’re wrong, but they’re definitely not wrong.

The best part? Someone pointed out that they “really reshot it despite knowing the scene already aired.” It’s giving major “we’ll fix it in post” energy, except they forgot that live television doesn’t work that way.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Now, before you dismiss this as just another wrestling botch, let’s talk about what this really represents. Logan Paul has been positioned as this crossover superstar who’s bringing mainstream attention to WWE. He’s got the social media following, the controversy, and apparently the confidence of WWE management.

But moments like this expose the fundamental problem with celebrity wrestlers who haven’t fully mastered the craft. Wrestling isn’t just about throwing punches – it’s about selling those punches, making them look believable, and maintaining the suspension of disbelief that keeps fans invested.

Cena Deserves Better in His Final Months

Here’s what really gets me fired up about this whole situation. John Cena announced his retirement and has been having some genuinely emotional moments with fans who grew up watching him. The man has literally four months left in his legendary career, and he’s stuck dealing with Logan Paul’s inability to throw a convincing fake punch.

Cena has worked with everyone from The Rock to CM Punk to Brock Lesnar, delivering classic matches that we still talk about years later. Now he’s playing cleanup crew for someone who can’t execute basic wrestling choreography without needing multiple takes.

The Bigger Picture: WWE’s Quality Control Crisis

This incident highlights a bigger issue with WWE’s current direction. In their rush to grab headlines and social media buzz, they’re sometimes sacrificing the fundamental storytelling and execution that made wrestling great in the first place.

When you have to reshoot segments because your performers can’t deliver convincing action, you’re not making professional wrestling – you’re making a really expensive soap opera with worse acting.

What’s Next for This Train Wreck?

Paul and Cena are set to face off at WWE’s “Clash in Paris” event, and honestly, I’m both dreading and eagerly anticipating it. Will Paul manage to land an actual punch this time? Will WWE have backup cameras ready for multiple takes? Will Cena’s professionalism be enough to carry Paul through a decent match?

The cynic in me says we’re in for another Logan Paul special – lots of hype, mediocre execution, and social media controversy. But hey, at least we’ll get some quality memes out of it.

One thing’s for sure: John Cena deserves better than having his final career chapter overshadowed by amateur hour antics. The man’s a legend who’s earned the right to go out on a high note, not as a supporting player in someone else’s learning experience.

This article first appeared on Total Apex Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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