The Rocky Start to John Cena’s Heel Turn
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The build for WrestleMania 41 felt like it was missing something. But, everything changed at Elimination Chamber when WWE pulled the trigger on a John Cena heel turn.
The wrestling world collectively gasped as one of the most iconic babyfaces in history finally embraced the dark side. Social media exploded, and for the first time in a long time, WWE had the entire industry buzzing about an organic, must-see moment. It was a generational opportunity—one that could reshape WWE’s landscape heading into its biggest show of the year. However, as we inch closer to WrestleMania 41, it’s becoming increasingly clear that WWE has fumbled the follow-through, failing to capitalize on the immense potential of this heel turn.
A Fumbled Follow-Up
The first major misstep was WWE’s failure to immediately follow up on Cena’s heel turn on the next episode of RAW after Elimination Chamber. Instead of striking while the iron was hot, WWE allowed nearly two weeks to pass before Cena addressed his shocking turn. In today’s fast-paced, social media-driven world, where attention spans are shorter than ever, momentum is everything. WWE essentially let the buzz die down, losing the once-in-a-lifetime traction they had created in a single night.
Instead of an immediate, compelling promo or a major storyline development, fans were left waiting—and waiting—until the moment felt far less special than it should have.
Lack of Cohesion in Storytelling
Reports suggest that The Rock was originally expected to play a significant role in this year’s WrestleMania. Possibly as a heel aligned with a villainous Cody Rhodes. However, with Rhodes rejecting that direction, WWE pivoted to Cena’s heel turn as an alternative. This last-minute shift has been evident in WWE’s inconsistent booking. Despite turning heel, Cena has yet to undergo a meaningful change in presentation. His entrance music, attire, and overall demeanor still reflect his long-standing babyface persona.
A true heel turn should come with a transformation—perhaps a shift toward a “corporate champion” look or a more sinister attitude. However, WWE seems hesitant to overhaul Cena’s image, likely due to the pre-existing merchandise they had already produced. As a result, the turn feels incomplete and somewhat disjointed.
Weak Promo Execution
So far, Cena has cut two promos as a heel. While they weren’t outright bad, they failed to make a lasting impact. WWE leaned on the tired trope of the “blame-the-fans” narrative, a cliché heel turn approach that has been used countless times before. While the promos incorporated some meta elements and insider references, they lacked the gravity needed to truly solidify Cena’s new persona. A heel turn of this magnitude required a groundbreaking, generation-defining promo—one that would leave fans in awe. Instead, we got relatively generic, uninspired rhetoric that did little to cement Cena as the ruthless antagonist he should be.
The Rock’s Mysterious Absence
Another glaring issue is the conspicuous absence of The Rock. Since Elimination Chamber, he has been completely MIA, leaving fans questioning his role in the storyline. WWE has yet to provide an explanation, and perhaps more concerning is the fact that Cena himself has not acknowledged The Rock’s absence in his promos. This silence raises several questions: Was The Rock originally intended to be a central figure in this angle? Has there been a backstage shift in plans? Whatever the case, his absence leaves a gaping hole in a story that desperately needs clarity and direction.
A Race Against Time
Despite the rocky start, WWE still has time to salvage Cena’s heel turn and turn it into one of the most compelling narratives in recent memory. With just three weeks remaining until WrestleMania 41, the company must take swift and decisive action to inject life back into the storyline. This could include a drastic character shift for Cena or a high-stakes confrontation with The Rock. Maybe even a more intense, personal feud that showcases Cena’s new ruthless side.
The foundation for something historic is there—it’s just a matter of WWE executing it properly. If they can pivot effectively, Cena’s heel turn could still become one of the most significant moments in modern wrestling history. But if they continue down this aimless path, it may end up being remembered as one of WWE’s biggest missed opportunities.
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