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May 31, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) looks on in the third quarter during game six of the eastern conference finals against the New York Knicks for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

'I Talked To Triple H One Time': Tyrese Haliburton Reveals He Planned WWE Walkout With John Cena If Pacers Won 2025 Title

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Dan Agulto | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 1:09 PM ET

Tyrese Haliburton , Indiana’s slippery guard, dropped an absolute banger on Logan Paul’s IMP AULSIVE podcast: he talked to Triple H one time about walking John Cena out at SummerSlam—with an NBA trophy in hand—if the Pacers had won the 2025 title. “I talked to Triple H one time. I was like ‘if (John) Cena was a heel in New York and we win a championship, let me walk him out with the (NBA) trophy,’” he said.

He didn’t stop there. Haliburton admitted that after he tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the Finals, his mind was on more than rehab: “When I got hurt, the first two things was like, this game, next season, John Cena,” he added. Looks like he was juggling recovery goals and WWE dreams like a pro.

The whole thing? It was loose—“very, very loosely”—a “plan” that might’ve made Vince’s head spin. Sadly, the combination of a ripped tendon and a Pacers Finals loss turned the dream into a what-if. Still, imagining the scenario is glorious: heel-Cena strutting in New York with Haliburton and the Larry O’Brien trophy. That’s peak crossover content.

For a guy whose fandom slaps with crossover energy, this shows Tyrese Haliburton isn’t just about buckets—he’s trying to become part of pop-culture folklore too.

Tyrese Haliburton Explains Why He’s WWE-Loyal

Tyrese Haliburton broke down on wrestling fandom like it was court vision: “This is, like, my second favorite thing in the world,” he said, recalling watching WrestleMania 19 at age three. From toddler to All-Star, his loyalty has stuck.

Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

“I’ve always just been a WWE guy. I have never even tried to, like, branch out. I just, like, what’s in front of me? And bro, WWE has been so good to me as people, we’ve grown, like, such a cool relationship. So it’s been so fun for me,” Haliburton said, keeping it real. That’s fandom that runs deeper than a crossover dream.

His WWE devotion was obvious at SummerSlam—even on crutches, he played heel for the crowd and got his crutch grabbed mid-match by Cena, leaning fully into the moment. It’s one thing to love wrestling; it’s another to be wrestling energy.

Mar 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA;Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) celebrates his made basket and foul in the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

So yeah, Tyrese Haliburton’s allegiance to WWE? Probably the most consistent thing in his life next to hitting step-back threes. And he’s not stopping. Fantasies with Triple H… crutch weapon cameos… he’s living the dream. That’s Tyrese Haliburton, rocking his own brand of crossover charisma.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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