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John Cena reveals CM Punk’s secret message during iconic ‘Basic Thuganomics’ promo in WWE: Unreal appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In 2025, the feud between John Cena and CM Punk was reignited, causing the “Best in the World” to bring back his rival’s “Basic Thuganomics” persona and to give him a secret message, as revealed in WWE: Unreal Season 3.
The promo ahead of their clash at Night of Champions featured Punk coming out in an unbuttoned Chicago Cubs jersey, a backwards hat, and a chain. He unleashed a rap on the 17-time world champion, and at one point, subtly gave Cena a message.
“I’m gonna miss you,” Punk said to Cena away from the mic so the rabid crowd couldn’t hear him.
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Looking back, Cena claimed there was “never a more real thing said” in the “awesome” promo. However, the “Voice of the Voiceless” had a reason for delivering the message.
Why CM Punk gave John Cena a secret message during “Basic Thuganomics” WWE promo
Explaining his reason for giving Cena the message, Punk explained that he was trying to “center him.” Cena was a heel at the time, but the cracks were starting to form. This showed that Cena was still human inside of his hard exterior.
“In that moment, I had to do that to kind of center him and bring him into the moment,” Punk explained. “Because it was emotional for me, and I felt it needed to be emotional for him, too.”
Cena added to Punk’s explanation, “Right in the middle of his moment, he gave me a very real and authentic moment, and it was very special.”
Ultimately, Cena would defeat Punk at Night of Champions. Their match was the main event of the PLE, and Cena won after a 26-minute contest. It wouldn’t be long before Cena eventually turned babyface again ahead of his match against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam in August 2025.
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