Cliff Notes – R-Truth returns to WWE under new name after 7 days of fierce backlash
- R-Truth made a surprise return at Money In The Bank 2025, just a week after announcing his departure from WWE, shocking fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
- He will now perform under his real name, Ron Killings, as part of a new character, following a brief period of uncertainty regarding his contract status.
R-Truth returns to WWE under new name after 7 days of fierce backlash
WWE legend R-Truth made his shock return at Money In The Bank 2025 just one week after announcing his departure.
The 53-year-old former United States Champion left fans and his fellow stars furious last weekend when he revealed WWE had told him his contract was not being renewed.
On Sunday night, a masked figure took out John Cena during the Money In The Bank main event to stop him cheating to beat Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso in a tag match also featuring Logan Paul.
He revealed himself to be R-Truth to an incredible reaction from fans – just days after they tried to ‘hijack’ Raw by chanting is name – before leaving through the crowd.
As reported by PWInsider, he ‘will be going under the Ron Killings name going forward, at least initially’, using his real name as part of his new character.
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He’s used the moniker before, with the most high profile run coming during his time in TNA Wrestling as Ron ‘The Truth’ Killings’.
Was R-Truth really released by WWE?
The quick nature of his WWE comeback has left fans stunned and questioning whether or not he was actually being let go.
R-Truth confirmed himself that he was being ‘released’, while reports at the time clarified his contract was not being renewed after an uninterrupted 17-year stint that started in 2008.
PWInsider added that he’d been in contact with a number of independent promotions, noting that ‘the decision to bring him back happened over the last 72 hours’.
He took out John Cena during the main event (Picture: WWE)
Fans couldn’t believe their eyes (Picture: WWE)
Triple H tried to play down the situation in the post-show, telling a reporter asking about the situation: ‘I love that question. You enjoying the show? All part of the show, man.’
In a now-deleted post on his Instagram story, R-Truth’s son Christopher Killings told him to ‘stop the cap’, before adding: ‘Congrats on the new deal dad! Last run.’
WWE Money In The Bank 2025 results
Women’s Money In The Bank: Naomi defeated Stephanie Vaquer, Giulia, Rhea Ripley, Alexa Bliss and Roxanne Perez
IC Title: Dominik Mysterio (c) beat Octagon Jr.
Women’s IC Title: Becky Lynch pinned Lyra Valkyria (c)
Men’s Money In the Bank: Seth Rollins defeated El Grande Americano, Andrade, LA Knight, Penta and Solo Sikoa
Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso beat John Cena and Logan Paul
Fightful has reported that his WWE contract hadn’t actually expired, but he has now signed a new deal.
Sources told the outlet that said Truth appeared ‘shocked and kind of disgusted’ like everyone else over the situation.
He had been legitimately told he was being let go (Picture: Michael Owens/WWE via Getty Images)
Fans and his fellow wrestlers were livid, but everyone is overjoyed a week later (Picture: Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images)
It’s said he ‘ignored’ several WWE approaches to open discussions this week, until WWE President Nick Khan called him personally to hash things out.
Talent have reportedly insisted Triple H’s hint that it was a work and ‘part of the show’ is untrue.
One of them told the outlet: ‘Ronnie wouldn’t do that. If he had to maintain a work like that, he’d just ask us not to say anything.
‘He would never lie to us about that. I think that Paul [Levesque] also knows that lying to or working the locker room is horrible taste.’
All WWE events, including last night’s Money In The Bank, are available to stream on Netflix.