Jon Stewart Compares Trump/Vance/Zelenskyy Drama to John Cena Heel Turn on The Daily Show

All the world’s a stage and, oftentimes, it can be argued that ‘Everything is Wrestling.’

At least, that’s what Jon Stewart thinks, as he recently compared one of America’s most embarrassing displays to one of wrestling’s most recent heartbreaks.

Last Monday, during an episode of the hit Comedy Central political-cum-talk-show series The Daily Show, Stewart reflected on last week’s meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And also J.D. Vance was there.

“Americans are still trying to process the global realignment that has occurred following the disastrous Oval Office meeting between the President, J.D. Vance, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy,” Stewart said during his opening monologue. “‘What happened?’ they say. ‘Are we still American?’ they say. ‘Whose side are we on?’ they say. It’s complicated.”

So complicated, in fact, that the only way Stewart could attempt to rationalize and make sense of the surrealism of the meeting was to compare it to the surrealism of professional wrestling.

“The best way that I can explain what happened, and show Americans how to process this new reality, was with another shocking turn of events from this [past] weekend,” Stewart said.”

The host of The Daily Show then switched a photo of Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy for a photo that, to millions of wrestling fans, was quite familiar. And equally shocking.

“If that does not immediately explain to you our current geopolitical climate, you must have grown out of watching wrestling through the normal course of aging,” Stewart said, referencing the picture. “I, on the other hand, understand this in my bones. This explains it, folks. All of your shock, all of your disappointment, all of your anger — it’s in there. It’s in the squared circle.”

Stewart then went on to explain the closing moments of the 2025 Elimination Chamber pay per view (or paid live event) to the studio audience and those watching at home.

“On Saturday night, John Cena, the good guy of professional wrestling, Mr. Hustle, the champ, the man who stood for everything — truth, justice — the guy who literally holds the record for the most Make-A-Wish foundation meetings of all time…people would get cancer just to meet John Cena,” Stewart said. “Last weekend, Cena flipped the script and went from being a face — a good guy, to a heel — a bad guy.”

Stewart acknowledged that most of the people watching the political talk show probably didn’t watch a pro wrestling PLE.

So, Stewart did his best to paint a picture about the canvas that is professional wrestling.

“So, here’s what happened,” he began. “The current WWE Champion is one Cody Rhodes. Cody Rhodes is the peoples’ champ. Unquestioned bravery. He stands in for Zelenzkyy in this metaphor. A couple of weeks ago, The Rock, now the evil owner of the WWE — Putin, in our story — made Cody Rhodes an offer.”

That offer, of course, was the world. And all it would cost Cody Rhodes was his soul.

“Putin — he wants Zelenskyy’s soul,” Stewart said. “‘But sir, I am smaller and weaker than you. It will take incredible bravery for me to protect my soul and the soul of my people. But luckily, I am not protecting my soul alone. For I have the support of the great John Cena.'”

Stewart then once again referenced Elimination Chamber in which Cody Rhodes, The Rock, and the winner of the Elimination Chamber match, John Cena, all stood in the ring together.

“So Cody Rhodes — Zelenskyy — told Vladimir Putin — The Rock, ‘No soul for you, mother f*cker!’ And that’s when they met in the Oval Office,” Stewart reflected. “America went to hug Zelenzkyy, but when America looked up, somehow Putin had given John Cena the international sign for ‘It’s time.’ And rather than repudiate Putin, America smelled what The Rock was cooking and through that Borscht-ian haze, America delivered the nut shot! The nut shot to the hopes and dreams of Ukrainians everywhere…and then, for no reason, America jumped on Zelenskyy and started punching him in the face as many times as he could.”

There was more to Stewart’s monologue, which you can view below in full. But if Stewart’s interest in pro wrestling comes as a shock to you, it’s just because you don’t remember Summerslam 2015. In fact, Stewart has held a grudge against John Cena for an entire decade. And, some might argue, Stewart was one of the very few who actually understood the type of human being John Cena really is.

At Summerslam 2015, Stewart actually cost John Cena the WWE Championship in a match against Seth Rollins, by hitting him with a steel chair. And while some booed the decision and considered it a “Jon Stewart Heel Turn,” the majority of Brooklyn, New York gave Stewart a hero’s welcome.

The next night on Raw, Jon Stewart explained that he cost Cena the match because he couldn’t let John Cena tie Ric Flair’s record for 16 world championships.

The explanation was flimsy at best, but entertaining nonetheless. And, just a few moments later, Cena would confront Stewart, giving The Daily Show host an attitude adjustment with the Attitude Adjustment.

Stewart has presumably held a grudge for a decade but, some might argue that Stewart saw the truth years before the rest of us did.

The good news is, John Cena being a bad guy will make for some incredible television. The bad news is…Putin and Trump being bad guys will make for…well…World War III.

The world is a stage, everything is wrestling, and the revolution will most certainly be televised…live on Netflix every Monday night!

Follow Nick on Twitter/X at @WesternRebel

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