It appears that Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was thrilled to have his crutch be a part of John Cena's WWE SummerSlam match vs. Cody Rhodes.

Initially, Haliburton had some fun with the moment. He reacted to a video posted by WWE of Cena grabbing Haliburton's crutch. “Smh[,] all you had to do was ask,” he said to Cena.

He later took to his Instagram Stories to share a different take on the spot. “Sacrificed my crutch for the [goat],” Haliburton said of Cena.

Tyrese Haliburton's crutch spot with John Cena at WWE SummerSlam

During Cena's main event bout against Rhodes, he approached Haliburton, who was sitting in the front row. He took one of the Pacers star's crutches after doing his signature “You Can't See Me” emote in his face.

He then used it as a weapon against Rhodes. Cena hit Rhodes with the crutch twice before discarding it. Unfortunately, it did not help Cena win.

After surviving several of Rhodes' signature moves, Cena was defeated with a Cross Rhodes after being hit with a top-rope Cody Cutter. Similarly, Rhodes kicked out of several Attitude Adjustments throughout as well.

It was the final SummerSlam match of Cena's career. While he lost, he was given a hero's sendoff following the bout. Rhodes left Cena in the ring to soak in the applause from the WWE fans.

Haliburton is a WWE fan. Previously, he attended an episode of Friday Night SmackDown. During the episode, he had a showdown with New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson.

They didn't know it at the time, but this foreshadowed the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals matchup. Haliburton and the Pacers took on the Knicks in a series that went six games. That explains why the New Jersey crowd booed Haliburton when WWE showed him during the broadcast. SummerSlam took place just over the Hudson, where the Knicks play in New York City.

More WWE News
WWE star John Cena, whose wife Shay Shariatzadeh got emotional as he bid farewell to SummerSlam, at Royal Rumble.
John Cena’s wife gets emotional after WWE SummerSlam farewellAndrew Korpan ·
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, who attended 2025 WWE SummerSlam, against the New York Knicks.
Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton jabs Knicks after welcoming SummerSlam boosAndrew Korpan ·
Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam, who made his WWE return despite being named in the Janel Grant lawsuit against Vince McMahon.
When Brock Lesnar was legally cleared to make WWE return amid Janel Grant lawsuitAndrew Korpan ·
WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar, who made his return at SummerSlam to confront John Cena.
The real reason for Brock Lesnar’s WWE return revealedAndrew Korpan ·
New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson stands courtside during the fourth quarter of game six in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
Giants Fans give Russell Wilson wild treatment at Summer SlamRishav Bhat ·
John Cena during the Men’s Royal Rumble match during the WWE Royal Rumble at Lucas Oil Stadium.
John Cena uses Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton’s crutch to beat up Cody Rhodes at Summer SlamMiguel La Torre ·