WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently shared his insights on his Hall of Fame podcast about the promotion’s surprising choice to end John Cena’s heel run just before SummerSlam. According to Booker T, the timing of Brock Lesnar’s comeback was a major factor behind Cena’s quick return to a babyface persona. He expressed strong doubts about Cena’s ability to convincingly portray a villain, suggesting that Cena’s attempt to look angry as a heel came across as disingenuous and out of character.
Booker T said,
“I really think [Brock Lesnar’s return] is all about John Cena not being a heel. I said this. I said, ‘John Cena is not a heel.’ He can’t even play a good heel. He tries to make his face look like he’s mad. And you know it’s not real. You know there is nowhere near — that’s not him.”
The Reasoning Behind John Cena’s Babyface Comeback
He elaborated that Cena’s shift back to a heroic role was an intentional correction to align better with upcoming storylines. Booker T viewed Cena’s babyface turn as a strategic move to prepare for the high-profile match with Brock Lesnar. This reset would allow Cena to be positioned favorably heading into Lesnar’s return and maintain momentum on his way out of current storylines.
Booker T added,
“I thought the babyface turn was John Cena just saying, ‘Hey man, let’s just course correct, and get back on pace. We know Brock Lesnar is coming back. I’ll be able to do something with that on the way out.’”
Reflections on Cena’s Match Against Cody Rhodes
The discussion also touched on Cena’s performance in his recent match with Cody Rhodes, highlighting how Cena fully embraced an aggressive style. Booker T observed that Rhodes seemed to encourage Cena to unleash everything in the ring without holding back, resulting in a match that felt more like a raw brawl than traditional wrestling.
He described the dynamic, saying,
“But what I loved about that match was — I don’t know, I could be wrong. But it seemed like Cody Rhodes told John Cena, ‘Hey, bro, don’t worry about me tonight. Just do it. Don’t think about it. Just do it. Don’t try to protect me. Just do it.’ And it seemed like it was that way throughout the night, it seemed like with everybody. But specifically in that match, it seemed like Cody told John Cena, ‘Bro, just do it. You can apologize later.’ That’s the way it seemed to me, because John was bringing it, man.”
He went on,
“I mean, he was throwing Cody all over that place. And it seemed like he had no problem doing it. Seemed like he had no care in the world. It seemed like — it wasn’t a wrestling match. It seemed like it was a good fight.”
Why Cena’s Return to Babyface Status Matters Moving Forward
This turn in John Cena’s character reflects WWE’s broader storytelling strategy as Brock Lesnar prepares to re-enter the spotlight. Through Booker T’s perspective, Cena’s true strengths lie in his heroic persona, and returning to that role helps maintain audience connection and narrative cohesion. This realignment not only impacts Cena’s reputation but also sets the stage for Lesnar’s impactful comeback, ensuring high stakes for upcoming events like SummerSlam.
