Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, a passionate lifelong WWE fan, recently revealed that his devastating Achilles injury prevented him from participating in a special WWE SummerSlam event alongside his childhood hero John Cena. The planned crossover moment was expected to take place at the MetLife Stadium in New York City during SummerSlam 2025, offering a unique blending of NBA star power and WWE spectacle.
The Dream SummerSlam Appearance That Never Was
During an appearance on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, Haliburton shared insights about the dialogue he had with WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque regarding a potential walkout with Cena at SummerSlam. The idea, still very much in its early conceptual stage, was that if Haliburton’s Indiana Pacers won the NBA championship and Cena was playing a villain—or “heel”—role in New York, Haliburton would accompany Cena to the ring, possibly carrying the NBA championship trophy.
Haliburton described this plan as “very, very loosely” discussed, and emphasized how much it meant to him:
“When I got hurt, the first two things was like, this game, next season, John Cena,” he said.
“My trainer asked me, what would be a bigger deal to you—winning the championship or walking out with John Cena with the trophy? … neck and neck, 1 and 2.”
Although the Pacers ultimately fell short in the Finals to Oklahoma City, who won the trophy, the personal significance of this WWE moment remained incredibly high for Haliburton[4][5].
Achilles Injury Forces Haliburton on the Sidelines
The Achilles injury, suffered during the high-stakes Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals, required surgery on June 23 and sidelined Haliburton for the entire 2025-26 NBA season. His recovery journey visibly progressed from using a scooter to now walking with a boot and crutches by SummerSlam night—although he still needed assistance to get around ringside.
Despite his injury, Haliburton made a memorable cameo during the WWE SummerSlam main event: John Cena grabbed one of Haliburton’s crutches and used it as a prop weapon in his brutal Street Fight match against Cody Rhodes. This spontaneous moment merged Haliburton’s NBA ordeal with WWE drama, drawing a mixture of cheers and jeers from the crowd at MetLife Stadium[1][2].
A Lifelong WWE Fan’s Perspective
Haliburton’s connection to WWE goes deeper than just this planned SummerSlam moment. He has been a devoted fan since childhood, recalling memories of watching WrestleMania 19 when he was as young as three years old. He still collects WWE memorabilia and even owns a spinner championship belt with his name written on it from his youth.
Haliburton has visited WWE’s Performance Center and expressed immense respect for the wrestlers’ skill and physical endurance, joking that he could never endure the pain and physical demands of the ring. This adds further weight to why the planned appearance with John Cena would have been deeply meaningful on both a personal and professional level[4].
Backstage Insights: WWE’s Interest in Star Power Crossovers
According to sources close to WWE, the company has been increasingly keen on collaborations with mainstream sports stars to attract crossover audiences. A WWE insider shared:
“WWE has always valued star power from other arenas. A SummerSlam moment featuring an active NBA star like Haliburton walking out with John Cena would have been an unforgettable highlight — huge exposure for both WWE and Haliburton.”
However, the timing of Haliburton’s injury complicated these aspirations. The injury not only ruled him out physically but also thwarted the promotional synergy WWE and the Pacers had hoped for during this marquee summer event[4][5].
What’s Next for Haliburton and WWE Fans?
While the ultimate SummerSlam moment with John Cena was lost to injury, Haliburton’s appearance at the event—albeit on crutches—illustrated his dedication to both his basketball career and WWE fandom. The Pacers star’s rehab will dominate his focus until at least the 2026 NBA season, but he expressed hope to remain connected to WWE and maybe join forces with the wrestling world again in the future.
As WWE continues to embrace sports entertainment partnerships, fans eagerly watch for any future collaborations with high-profile athletes. Haliburton’s story serves as a reminder of how closely pro wrestling and sports culture can intersect, sometimes creating moments that transcend both worlds.
Tyrese Haliburton’s canceled SummerSlam walkout with John Cena was a missed opportunity, but his passion for WWE and his perseverance through injury keep expectations alive for another unforgettable crossover moment down the line.