Words: Meelz
There’s a quote about Ron Killings from Kaz that I still wish I had thought of myself: “When the aliens blow this planet up, the only things left will be Twinkies, ants, and Ron Killings.”
It’s funny, sure, but it’s also kind of perfect because Killings, known to many as R-Truth, may be one of the most resilient performers we’ve had in wrestling over the last twenty-five years. When you think about it, he was part of WWE during the Attitude Era, was a major part of the launch of NWA-TNA for much of its early years, including becoming the first Black NWA World Heavyweight Champion. He then returned to WWE, spending almost two more decades as one of the most genuine and hilarious acts in the company. Killings, through everything he’s been through growing up and afterwards, is resilient. Undefeated. Built to last.
However, 2025 marks a major fork in the road of his career. On June 1st, Killings announced that his contract would not be renewed with WWE after a 17-year run with the company. The reaction to that announcement was loud, waves to the likes that we have typically only seen for CM Punk or Bryan Danielson. The reaction felt like the recognition was finally catching up to his contributions. The years of service in front of fans couldn’t—or wouldn’t—be extinguished. In fact, the result of #WeWantTruth ignited change and a surprise return and attack on Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena at Money in the Bank alongside the moniker he started with. What will happen moving forward with this legend? Time will tell, but even up to this year he had been dropping supreme contributions in the business.
The truth about Killings’ year
After landing at #30 on last year’s BRP50, capped off by his first major victory at WrestleMania, Killings kept his momentum going atop the RAW Tag Team Division alongside The Miz, briefly reviving Awesome Truth.
As things tend to go in WWE, the team worked—until it didn’t. After a string of losses, Miz turned on his longtime friend on September 30, officially bringing an end to their nostalgia act. In early 2025, Killings was moved to SmackDown, where he reignited his feud with Miz and battled Carmelo Hayes.
Killings’ biggest moment of the year came on an even bigger stage. After interfering on behalf of John Cena at Backlash, Killings was thanked with an Attitude Adjustment through a press conference table. That moment set the stage for a match at Saturday Night’s Main Event: Truth vs. Cena.
Ron Cena
The matchup wasn’t just a one-off booking—it was the latest chapter in a complicated history between two veterans who came up in the same era but walked vastly different paths. Killings got his start in WWE during the Attitude Era as K-Kwik, a run that ultimately ended with his first release from the company. On the other hand, Cena—who started as the typical white-meat babyface—quickly evolved into the hip-hop persona that ironically Killings attempted to pursue during his WWE run.
The two wouldn’t stand face to face in the ring with one another until 2011’s Capitol Punishment pay-per-view, with Truth in the rare role of main event heel, challenging WWE’s cemented golden boy. They engaged in a multi-month program, which ended in a marquee tag team match at Survivor Series: Awesome Truth versus Cena and The Rock.
Years later, Killings adopted a comedy persona that would make him popular with fans for over a decade. Along the way, he declared Cena his “childhood hero” in a puzzling but endearing gimmick. In the build to their 2025 bout, Truth spoke earnestly, with equal parts heart and heat saying he still loved his “childhood hero,” but wouldn’t hesitate to “beat the ever-loving Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect out of his ass” to bring him back to his senses.
Truth set free
At Saturday Night’s Main Event, Cena crumpled Truth in less than five minutes, despite Truth digging deep into the 17-time champ’s own repertoire. Seven days existed between Killings’ X announcement and what would become the perfect ending to an already loaded Money in the Bank card.
“I’m sorry to inform you all. I just got released from WWE. 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.” – Ron Killings
It read like a final bow. A quiet exit of a performer who had built a rare kind of cultural currency—one rooted not in title reigns, but in genuine connection. It was a business decision you could understand, but also a fumble of someone the people had crowned.
After a week of confusion (and attempts to hijack an episode of Raw), the outpouring of support from fans that week helped manifest a shocking return: a hooded figure attacked Cena, later revealed to be Killings. It was one of those rare moments where it felt like the wrestling gods were smiling—and they chose to shine down on us in the form of Ron Killings.
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
The following episode of Raw might’ve been the biggest shining moment of his career. In a moment of truth, he emerged not from backstage, but from the crowd. From the people onto the announce table and thanked fans for having their voices heard, and not only did he come back for the people, but he came back for himself.
In an uncharacteristic return to senses, he shed the sideshow gimmick as he clipped his signature locs and walked into his most raw, authentic self.
“The TRUTH has set me free. I AM RON KILLINGS! I AM THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. NOW PUT SOME RESPECT ON MY NAME!” – Ron Killings
As much as it felt like a shift in gimmick, it also read like a reclamation. This wasn’t just about repackaging a veteran; it was about a Black performer refusing to be reduced to comic relief—demanding to be seen in full, beyond the character, beyond the catchphrases. It was the type of transformation that only works when the people are already behind you. And they were. They’d always been.
In 2025, R-Truth stands under a different kind of light—as Ron Killings. What happens next remains to be seen. But if this return to form is any indication, the best might still be ahead.