R-Truth returns to WWE just days after shock release

Pro wrestling star Ron “R-Truth” Killings is back in WWE less than a week after his surprise release

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Last week, I wrote about World Wrestling Entertainment’s shocking release of one of its most popular and beloved wrestlers, Ron “R-Truth” Killings. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I’d be writing about him for a second week to discuss his shocking return to WWE.

It’s turned into one of the most fascinating stories in the history of pro wrestling. The outcry of millions of fans over R-Truth’s release and the outpouring of support online did the unimaginable and brought him home.

“I’m sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE,” R-Truth posted on X on June 1. “I want to thank WWE for the ride, but MOSTLY I want to thank each and EVERYONE OF YOU who was along for the ride. Thank you for all the love, support, and appreciation you have given me over the years. Thank you.”

More than 22.6 million users have viewed this post. Pro wrestlers, sports commentators and others expressed their heartfelt gratitude for R-Truth’s 17-year WWE run. They remembered everything from his title victories to memorable comedy skits. They wondered where he would head next.

Many fans were furious about this decision, however. There was an unconfirmed report that a top WWE star had described R-Truth’s release as “total nonsense,” while another called the company’s leadership “ruthless.” These groups wanted him to come back. Chants of “We want Truth!” erupted during weekly TV tapings.

It all seemed like wishful thinking. Then the unthinkable happened.

R-Truth showed up at WWE’s Money in the Bank this past Sunday. Dressed in an all-black uniform with a black mask, he ran in to help Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso win their match against Logan Paul and John Cena. He went after Cena with a vengeance. Why? R-Truth’s storyline “childhood hero” had turned into a heel (or villain) for the first time since 2023 at Elimination Chamber in Toronto on March 1. Cena cheated against Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41 on April 20. He did the same thing against Randy Orton at Backlash on May 10. To top it off, Cena cheated to beat R-Truth at NBC’s Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24.

This was the perfect return for R-Truth, but one lingering question still remained. Why was he released to begin with? The answer remains unclear.

“It had nothing to do with R-Truth,” I suggested last week, “but rather a combination of escalating salaries and the need to trim the fat wherever possible. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong decimal point.” Paul “Triple H” Levesque, the chief content officer, and TKO Group Holdings may have decided R-Truth, who is 53 years old and seemingly ageless in appearance and wrestling ability, had become expendable.

News that has since come out doesn’t connect the dots quite as effectively.

R-Truth was reportedly offered a much lower-paying contract that he turned down. His Saturday Night’s Main Event T-shirt was a top seller, but didn’t lead to a change of heart by WWE before his release. He apparently “ignored WWE’s attempts to talk during the week” until WWE president Nick Khan got involved in contract renegotiations. A reporter who asked Triple H about R-Truth’s return at Money in the Bank was greeted with this response: “I love the question. You enjoying the show? All part of the show.”

Some of you may be thinking this was part of an elaborate storyline that fooled just about everyone. Considering the history of pro wrestling and sports entertainment, this would have made sense. What’s become clear is that it wasn’t.

R-Truth made several responses on X that were rather revealing. “No work,” he told one user on June 8, suggesting his release wasn’t part of a storyline. “#WeWantTruth was seen, heard, felt and understood … Believe me when I say this, I love EVERYONE of y’all to death. We made history together,” he wrote to another on June 8. As one of a select few users that R-Truth follows on social media, I can tell you that he’s intelligent, kind and honest to a fault. If he’s saying this was real, then it’s real.

R-Truth then cut one of the best wrestling promos of his career on Monday Night Raw on June 9. It was an engaging and masterful piece of storytelling that captivated the audience from start to finish.

“Y’all brought R-Truth back,” he told fans. “We want Truth! Y’all got R-Truth, we won.” He shifted gears and noted that not only was R-Truth back, “you got me.” He suggested his alter ego was too funny, too nice and too forgiving. He felt different and more alive. “And for any of you that thinks I’m a lie, you think I’m some sideshow act, you think I’m a gimmick?” repeating some lines that Cena had said earlier on the program. He proceeded to take out a pair of scissors and cut off his trademark dreadlocks to the stunned crowd. “R-Truth, the truth has set me free,” he said as they wildly cheered him on. “I am Ron Killings! I am the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! Now put some respect on my name!” He threw the microphone to play-by-play commentator Michael Cole and left the arena.

The fun-loving R-Truth was gone. The more serious Ron Killings had returned. His last WWE run could end up being his greatest. We owe it all to the WWE Universe who let senior leaders know their truth: They wanted Truth to stay and continue to tell his truth.

Michael Taube is a political commentator, Troy Media syndicated columnist and former speechwriter for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He holds a master’s degree in comparative politics from the London School of Economics, lending academic rigour to his political insights.