Who attacked John Cena on WWE SmackDown (May 9, 2025)? Exploring possibilities

The Undisputed Champion was fooled by a fake Randy Orton!

The May 09 episode of Friday Night SmackDown featured an appearance from the Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena, who closed off the show, sending a warning to Randy Orton. The 05/09 episode of SmackDown served as the go-home show Backlash 2025 and emanated from the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. 

Cena is scheduled to face Randy Orton one final time for the title in the main event of this Saturday’s PLE, Backlash. This is Cena’s first title defense in his first appearance at the PLE since 2009. Additionally, this will be the final Backlash appearance for the G.O.A.T. as he is set to retire at the end of 2025.

The 17-time WWE World Champion closed out the show alone in the ring with a vicious promo aimed at Orton. Leaning on his trademark values of Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect, Cena ripped into Orton, calling him lazy, unreliable, overpaid, and a failure plagued by drug issues.

Cena also revealed that Randy Orton was not in the building but spending time with his family in St. Louis. Moments later, someone resembling Orton appeared and tried to attack Cena with the RKO, however, Cena was ready as he thwarted the attacker to land the Attitude Adjustment.

Randy Orton took down John Cena with the 41st RKO

After hitting AA, John Cena was flaunting in front of the fans, but he failed to see the real Orton, who laid out the Champion once again with an RKO. Orton had already landed 40 RKOs to Cena up intill now, making this one the 41st.

However, the question loomed large as to who that first guy was who tried to attack Cena? The promotion didn’t reveal or even address the issue, nor did Orton, who picked up the title and posed with it. This has led many fans to theorize who the guy resembling Orton was.

While it might just be a case of WWE using a guy in training for the segment, therefore not revealing his identity or mentioning it, like they have done on multiple occasions with talents in training being used during weekly shows or in storylines.

The other and most probable possibility is NXT star Myles Borne, who already resembles Orton and is of similar height to the person who attacked Cena.

However, the flaw in this theory lies in the tattoos; Borne only has ink on one hand, whereas the attacker had tattoos on both hands, one of which closely resembled Randy Orton’s distinctive tattoo. A makeup job might be the possibility, or it might be someone else.

Who do you think was the mystery man who first tried to attack John Cena? Drop your best theories in the comments section!

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