John Cena…The Heel?
It’s the elephant in this wishlist room, so let’s jump right into it. For many of his prime wrestling years, WWE fans clamored for a John Cena heel turn. We always knew he’d overcome any odds inevitable. We could see his signature Five Moves of Doom coming well before he leapt in the air to tackle opponents like a lineman. Let’s not forget about his colorful shirts and the jorts he’s worn for years. In life, you can expect death, taxes, and John Cena the babyface.
Cena himself revealed that a heel turn had been “real close” in 2012 before he faced The Rock at Wrestlemania XXVIII—so close, in fact, that he recorded a new theme song and collected ring gear to reflect the character shift. He even began considering how he could flip his elements of hustle, loyalty, and respect on their head. Thirteen years later, with a legacy cemented in sweat and smiles, one question remained: Would WWE dare make John Cena a heel? Equally important, how would they do it?
To properly execute a maneuver of that magnitude, WWE would have to thread the smallest of needles. Fans are smart. If you’re going to turn the unturnable man, it has to be because he’s done something truly unforgivable and gut-wrenchingly deplorable, yet also believable.
It’s safe to expect love and loyalty rather than hate and betrayal during Big Match John’s retirement tour. Still, imagine the insanity if he finally embraced his inner villain.
