John Cena turns heel ahead of his retirement

In March 2025, John Cena, a prominent figure in WWE, made headlines by turning heel during the Elimination Chamber event. This unexpected turn involved him attacking Cody Rhodes under the direction of The Rock, marking a significant departure from Cena's typically heroic persona. The event, which took place earlier this month, set the stage for Cena's upcoming championship match against Rhodes for the Undisputed Championship at the highly anticipated WrestleMania 41. The match will occur in Las Vegas, during a period where WWE has been concentrating heavily on this storyline. WrestleMania 41 is positioned as a landmark event, but many within the WWE community have voiced concerns about how focusing predominantly on Cena and Rhodes may affect the overall card. Both fans and analysts have noted that other storylines, such as those involving Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest, have fallen to the wayside. McIntyre, one of WWE's notable talents, has expressed disappointment about his current trajectory, feeling sidelined and underappreciated as he heads toward WrestleMania 41. This situation illustrates a broader issue within WWE's booking system, which appears to neglect building rivalry and depth outside of the main event. Dave Meltzer, a respected pro-wrestling analyst, weighed in on Cena's character evolution, suggesting that Cena's turn to villainy may not be permanent. Meltzer expects Cena to revert back to his fan-favorite status after WrestleMania, positing that many fans would be surprised if he concluded his career as a heel. This would hold significance for his legacy, given that this heel turn marks the first time he has played a villain role since 2003-2004, when he feuded with The Undertaker. The overall sentiment surrounding Cena's heel turn and the lead-up to WrestleMania indicates a momentous shift in WWE's narrative direction. While WWE has taken risks to redefine the landscape of pro-wrestling, the critical reception suggests they may be overlooking potential rivalries and performances that deserve attention. Cena's journey toward retirement continues to be both highly scrutinized and celebrated, as the collective wishes of his long-term fans hang in the balance alongside the anticipation for WrestleMania 41.