In a twist worthy of WWE theatrics, Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton found himself unexpectedly entangled in the main event of WWE SummerSlam 2025, where John Cena faced off against Cody Rhodes in a brutal street fight. What started as a celebrity cameo turned into a viral moment that blurred the lines between sports and entertainment, as often before.
Haliburton, recovering from a torn Achilles suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, attended SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium sporting a walking boot and crutches. A known WWE superfan, Haliburton was seated ringside when the crowd, largely composed of New York fans still bitter over his playoff heroics against the Knicks, greeted him with loud boos.
Tyrese Haliburton receives boos. 👀
pic.twitter.com/jEocnXCWI9 https://t.co/FJLbfA6kAO
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 3, 2025
As the match between Cena and Rhodes escalated, Cena approached Haliburton, delivered his iconic “You Can’t See Me” taunt, and then grabbed one of Haliburton’s crutches to use as a weapon against Rhodes.
Tyrese Haliburton with the indirect assist! 😅 pic.twitter.com/OYPBBs8UdB
— WWE (@WWE) August 4, 2025
Despite the dramatic use of Haliburton’s crutch, Cena ultimately lost via pinfall to Rhodes. Still, the moment became one of the night’s most talked-about highlights, with fans dubbing Haliburton’s involvement an “indirect assist.”
This isn’t Haliburton’s first brush with WWE fame. He’s close friends with commentator Pat McAfee and has previously appeared on WWE programming alongside fellow NBA star Jalen Brunson, including a viral staredown moment last year.
