WWE Rumors on Cena, Punk 'Pipebomb' Promo, McIntyre's Return, Liv's Pre-Injury Plans

Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

Reported Alteration to Cena, Punk Promo Segment

The viral "pipebomb" promo John Cena cut on CM Punk to close last week's episode of SmackDown reportedly benefited from a late change.

According to WrestleVotes on Sportskeeda WrestleBinge (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), a late decision was made in an effort to make the segment feel more authentic.

Original plans called for Punk and Cena to remain in the ring together, alone, with Punk selling the effects of multiple belt shots to the head and an Attitude Adjustment through a table while Cena cut a lengthy promo.

However, a referee entered the ring about midway through in order to check on Punk. That was reportedly done to "make it seem less cringy" that Punk was down and out for as long as he was.

Per WrestleVotes, someone backstage observed that Punk selling for 10 minutes may have felt excessive, so a referee was sent out to perhaps make it feel more realistic.

The promo itself was a hit, as Cena spoofed the "pipebomb" promo Punk famously cut ahead of his WWE Championship match against Cena at Money in the Bank 2011.

Cena took much of what Punk said in that promo and turned it around on him. He even got people talking by name-dropping some former WWE Superstars who now wrestle elsewhere, such as Claudio Castagnoli, Nic Nemeth and Matt Cardona.

The segment went a long way toward building additional heat between Cena and Punk prior to their WWE Championship match at Night of Champions on Saturday.

Aside from the turn itself, the promo was also the signature moment of Cena's heel run thus far, as it truly felt like he hit his stride with regard to his villainous persona.

McIntyre Reportedly Not Close to Return from Injury

Drew McIntyre hasn't been seen on WWE programming since the May 24 episode of Saturday Night's Main Event, and his absence reportedly isn't set to end any time soon.

According to WrestleVotes on Sportskeeda WrestleBinge (h/t Carrier), McIntyre's return is "not imminent."

On the most recent SNME, McIntyre and Damian Priest clashed in a steel cage match, as they attempted to settle their long-running rivalry once and for all.

Priest got revenge for his loss to McIntyre at WrestleMania 41 by walking out the cage door after hitting McIntyre with a devastating Con-Chair-To.

Following that match, PWInsider.com and Fightful Select (h/t SI.com's Rick Ucchino) reported that the SNME injury angle was WWE's way of writing McIntyre off television.

McIntyre had reportedly been working hurt for some time, and the injury angle allowed for him to go away and heal up.

Aside from holding the World Heavyweight Championship for mere minutes before a Priest Money in the Bank cash-in at WrestleMania 40 last year, McIntyre has not been world champ since dropping the WWE Championship in February 2021.

Even so, he has often been in the world title mix, and he has consistently been among the top stars on SmackDown.

McIntyre's absence is significant, and there is little doubt that WWE would love to have him back in the fold sooner rather than later, especially with SummerSlam on the horizon.

Reported Plans for Liv Prior to Shoulder Injury

Liv Morgan was reportedly slated for a major match at Night of Champions prior to suffering a shoulder injury last week on Raw.

According to Cory Hays of BodySlam.net (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News), plans were in place for Morgan to challenge Iyo Sky for the Women's World Championship this Saturday at Night of Champions.

A couple of weeks ago, Morgan had confrontations with both Sky and Nikki Bella. Morgan vs. Bella in a singles match or a tag team match involving Morgan and Bella was seemingly being built up for Evolution, but Morgan vs. Sky would have occurred first.

However, early in a match against Kairi Sane last week, Morgan hurt her shoulder while bracing herself for a bump. The match was stopped so Morgan could be examined, and the bout was ended soon after.

On this week's Raw, the commentary team confirmed that Morgan injured her shoulder, which will result in her missing "several months" of action.

Since Morgan was supposed to have such a prominent presence at Evolution, WrestleVotes (h/t Mukherjee) reported that her injury caused the card to be "ripped up" and started from scratch.

Morgan vs. Sky at Night of Champions could have served as a vehicle to further build toward a match against Bella at Evolution, as Nikki could have potentially gotten involved in the match to prevent Liv and The Judgment Day from cheating.

Now, Nikki's place on the Evolution card is very much in question, and Sky is no longer slated to be part of Night of Champions due to Morgan's absence.

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