In a stunning twist that left wrestling enthusiasts worldwide in disbelief, John Cena, in an unprecedented move, switched allegiances and became a villain (heel) by assaulting WWE’s Undisputed Champion, Cody Rhodes, following his victory at the Elimination Chamber match in March 2025. This heel turn, considered one of the most jaw-dropping in history, was unexpected by many, given that it was believed this event would never transpire. The addition of John Cena joining forces with The Rock’s Final Boss and Travis Scott only heightened the intrigue surrounding his farewell tour.
As a devoted film and wrestling enthusiast, let me share an intriguing tidbit: For the first time in his acting career, The Rock-esque figure has stepped into the sinister role of a heel, but over a decade back, John Cena teetered on the brink of transforming from WWE’s cherished hero to one of its most notorious villains.
Let’s explore together the tale of Cena’s foiled heel transformation, delving into the reasons it failed, potential applications at WrestleMania 31 (two-night event), and future WWE shows.
John Cena Was This Close To Turning Heel In The Build To WrestleMania 28
In the years 2011 and 2012, the rivalry between Cena and The Rock was one of wrestling’s most significant narratives. During that period, Cena was proposed with the concept of transitioning into a heel role before his “Once in a Lifetime” bout against Dwayne Johnson’s return. From what he shared with Chris Van Vliet in March 2024, it seems John Cena came very close to embracing the villain persona, given that he was almost on the verge of becoming a villainous character, being a 16-time world champion.
In just two days after picking up whispers that it’s about to happen, I produced a fresh track, fully studio mixed and finalized. To match, I obtained seven vibrant singlets with boxing-inspired robes, and since I already had my boots stored away, I cleaned them off. Ready for action!
Beyond simply adopting a fresh appearance, composing a different tune, and altering his demeanor in the ring, Cena was prepared to fully embrace a radical transformation, aiming to be the polar opposite of his persona then. There would be no more Make-a-Wish events, no more guest appearances, no more profit from merchandise, no more “hustle, loyalty, respect” slogans. Essentially, he was planning to embody everything he previously opposed.
There Were Multiple Ways To Turn Cena Heel In 2011 And 2012 Before The Match
Back in the days leading up to WrestleMania 28, I was undeniably at the pinnacle of my babyface phase. I had yet to transition into a part-time performer to pursue acting, and I was relentlessly clutching the WWE Championship. My merchandise sales were off the charts, reaching heights that may never be surpassed again.
Despite receiving a barrage of boos from some of the older fans, particularly during the infamous Summer of Punk in 2011, I was adored by a significant chunk of the WWE Universe.
There were numerous opportunities for WWE to transform its leading star into the most hated heel since Hollywood Hogan, a role that hasn’t been filled for over a decade-and-a-half. One possibility could have been when Cena confronted Rey Mysterio after Mysterio claimed the vacant WWE Championship, or during his storyline with Zack Ryder in early 2012. Alternatively, they might have turned him in his rivalry with CM Punk, who was highly popular at that time.
But Vince McMahon Decided To Scrap The Plan For A Pretty Obvious Reason
If John Cena had switched to playing a villain (heel) in the past, it would have been an unprecedented event in wrestling, potentially shaping the sport’s history significantly. The anticipation surrounding his heel turn in 2025 is evident, and it’s clear that this transformation could have attracted a massive audience towards WWE leading up to WrestleMania 28. However, why did these plans not materialize, and what led to their cancellation?
Reflecting on my conversation during a podcast interview in December 2024, I, as a passionate film of wrestling enthusiast, shared some intriguing insights about the former WWE Chairman’s reluctance to transform his top babyface into a heel, despite the potential for increased attention. Unsurprisingly, it was all about the almighty dollar, as Cena being the company’s most prolific merchandise seller meant that flipping him into a heel would significantly impact this lucrative success.
Later on, during an interview with the Pat McAfee Show, Cena clarified that if he had turned heel, he made it clear to WWE management that it should be a permanent change rather than a brief switch from good guy to bad guy and then back again in a short span of time.
So, How Could Those Plans Come To Fruition In The Lead To WrestleMania 41?
Despite Cena not embracing a villainous role for over a decade following those initial plans’ collapse, there remains an opportunity to incorporate those concepts as we approach WrestleMania 41, where he faces off against Cody Rhodes with the aim of surpassing all other champions in terms of accolades. In essence, it seems like he’s been setting the stage for this moment since the beginning of his farewell tour on the first episode of Raw on Netflix.
Later in the 2025 Royal Rumble match, he unexpectedly joined without qualifying like others, and then announced his participation in the Elimination Chamber. However, since then, he’s been absent from TV while working on one of his upcoming films. He has new merchandise available, but considering this is John Cena we’re discussing, that’s no surprise. Although it’s rare for him to turn down Make-a-Wish requests, the new antagonist in WWE didn’t respond to a single question at the post-Chamber press conference. If he gets a new theme song and appearance, things could get very interesting.
What Can We Expect From A Heel Cena In His Final Run?
In an ideal scenario, at WrestleMania 41, Cena would conquer Rhodes and embark on an epic villainous journey as WWE Champion. During this stint, he’d engage in spectacular matches with wrestlers like CM Punk, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns before concluding his reign. While he could still deliver those incredible series of matches without the title, the thought of a transformed John Cena, sporting a fresh “The Champ is Here” attire, is truly exciting.
It doesn’t matter if he finishes the year as champion or not, I believe that his retirement match will involve him promoting a promising newcomer, providing a fitting farewell and a chance for redemption to conclude both his year and career. Joe Hendry, TNA World Champion, would be an ideal candidate to receive this boost as Cena retires.
After longing for years upon years to watch John Cena play a villainous role, it’s an experience that wrestling fans worldwide will remember warmly for many years and even generations.
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2025-03-09 18:08