Tyrese Haliburton Planned WWE SummerSlam Appearance with John Cena

While on the podcast, Haliburton explained that if he and the Pacers won the 2025 NBA Finals, the NBA All-Star wanted to walk out with John Cena while holding the trophy. He had only talked to WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque once about the plan. He said:

“The plan was like two months ago, and when I say plan, I mean, like, very, very loosely. I talked to H [Levesque] about it maybe one time. It was like, if Cena is a heel in New York and we [the Pacers] win a championship, let me walk him out with the [NBA Finals] trophy. (h/t: F4Wonline)

The plan didn’t happen for two reasons: the Pacers lost in Game 7 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and during the game, Haliburton unfortunately tore his right Achilles tendon. The 25-year-old shared his disappointment about missing next season and Cena. He added:

“When I got hurt, the first things were like [this cost me]– this game [Game 7], next season, John Cena.”

Haliburton also shared on the podcast that he believes he will be out for at least 15 months.

A Look Back At When John Cena Injured His Achilles Tendon

Speaking of injuries involving the Achilles tendon, the former WWE Undisputed Champion legitimately injured his right Achilles tendon in a match against former WWE star Ryback in April 2013. It happened during WWE’s European tour and only weeks earlier, Cena had gotten his revenge on The Rock at WrestleMania 29, while also winning the WWE Championship in the process. The injury didn't stop Cena and a month later on May 13, he faced Ryback in a Last Man Standing Match at Extreme Rules and retained his title.

While he was lucky then to not need surgery, his luck ran out later that year after SummerSlam 2013. Cena would be out of action for several months due to a torn triceps injury and would make an earlier-than-expected return to Hell in the Cell in October 2013.

Now, years later, the WWE Superstar turned Hollywood actor is on the last leg of his WWE Retirement Tour. This Sunday, August 31, Cena will be facing Logan Paul at Clash in Paris. He’s also slated for the main event at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, where his opponent will likely be Brock Lesnar. As noted, it was Lesnar who attacked Cena at SummerSlam after Cena lost the WWE Undisputed Title to Cody Rhodes. Cena’s final match is set for Saturday Night Main Event on December 13.