At the 2025 Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, the WWE Universe was stunned when John Cena, longtime top babyface of the WWE, pulled off a shocking heel turn. The occasion was historic, as Cena, who had been famous for his “Never Give Up” philosophy, unexpectedly aligned himself with none other than The Rock, his longtime rival and unlikely new partner. This turn not only redefined Cena’s legacy but also opened the door to a bold new future for WWE, one that fans are still trying to wrap their heads around. Cena had been the face of WWE’s PG era for so long, but this unexpected turn has now tarnished his career, and fans can’t help but speculate about how it will redefine both Cena’s narrative and the world of WWE storytelling.
Cena’s alignment with The Rock, two of the biggest stars in WWE history, caught the WWE Universe off guard. Despite having a past filled with respect and rivalry, Cena’s turn against his faithful fan base to align himself with The Rock makes a powerful statement. The two are now set up not as adversaries but as a unit, a turn that is as unexpected as it is intriguing. The unlikely duo sets the stage for a new direction in WWE’s larger storyline, one that could potentially provide a mix of power, charisma, and unpredictability. With Cena now aligned with The Rock, the question on every fan’s mind is what the alliance will portend for the future of WWE’s greatest feuds and storylines.
Most shocking of all, maybe, was Cena’s betrayal of Cody Rhodes, a fan favorite among the WWE Universe. The WWE Champion, Rhodes, had just said ‘Go Fuck Yourself’ to The Rock, which Cena was in love and thrilled about, but two minutes later, Cena’s harsh actions of turning against him represented a rapid transformation in Cena’s personality. The cold-blooded nature of this betrayal of Cena driving Rhodes into the mat immediately after the two were celebrating together, Cena’s win and his now looming WrestleMania matchup against Rhodes, spoke volumes in that Cena is no longer the hero that the fans have grown accustomed to. Although this turn has the potential to make a more personal, deeper feud between Cena and Rhodes, it also raises the stakes for the evolution of Cena’s character. Fans are now speculating if Cena will be a heel power broker in WWE for his retirement run, leveraging his authority to manipulate and control talent like never before.
The effects of Cena’s heel turn will be felt in WWE for years to come. As WWE sets sail on this new path, fan favorites and heels’ relations will be strained like never before. Cena, the former face of the company, is now in the heel position, the one that has the potential to alter his legacy forever. As WWE continues to evolve, Cena’s heel turn can pave the way for a redefinition of how legacy characters are established in this modern era, providing a fascinating spin on what it truly means to be an actual “face” of the company. With Cena’s newfound partnership with The Rock and his stunning betrayal of Cody Rhodes, the WWE Universe is bracing itself for a future filled with uncertainty, tension, and volatile feuds that will surely keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Jared Zero