WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio expressed strong emotions regarding John Cena’s recent heel turn during their rivalry with Cody Rhodes, an event that unfolded throughout 2023 and culminated at SummerSlam. Mysterio was deeply affected by the sudden ambush Cena executed on Rhodes, describing it as unsettling, but he also praised the overall impact and quality of the feud and matches, particularly emphasizing the significance of the Undisputed WWE Championship contest at SummerSlam. This moment marked a pivotal point in Cena’s ongoing WWE Farewell Tour, boosting the John Cena heel turn impact significantly among fans and insiders alike.
The Evolution of the Cena-Rhodes Feud and Its Twists
The rivalry between John Cena and Cody Rhodes began intensively earlier in the year at the Elimination Chamber event in Toronto, where Cena delivered a fierce beatdown on Rhodes. Cena then captured the Undisputed WWE Title from Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, beginning his first heel run in more than 20 years. During this time, Cena successfully defended the championship against top-tier rivals such as Randy Orton and CM Punk. However, the storyline took an unexpected turn when Cena abruptly shifted back to a babyface character, dropping the title back to Rhodes at SummerSlam.
The feud itself was complicated by missing elements and unresolved subplots, including the unexplained absence of figures like The Final Boss and Travis Scott, and a fleeting involvement by R-Truth that never reached completion. Cena’s sudden switch back to face just before one of WWE’s marquee summer events added to the intrigue and unpredictability surrounding the storyline.
Rey Mysterio’s Personal Perspective on the Ambush and Match Quality
Speaking on RAW Recap, Rey Mysterio opened up about his reaction to Cena’s heel turn, revealing that witnessing Cena’s attack on Cody Rhodes left him feeling physically ill. Despite his initial shock, Mysterio acknowledged the effectiveness of the surprise from a storytelling perspective, noting that if he, a wrestling insider, was caught off guard, the execution must have been flawless. He described the final SummerSlam match between Cena and Rhodes as “incredible,” highlighting the difference between watching live from the arena or the locker room versus the solo experience of watching at home.
“I’ll tell you what–the day I saw John Cena turn on Cody [Rhodes], I was sick to my stomach. I couldn’t believe it. But again, I didn’t see it coming,” Rey Mysterio began. “So, I had 50/50 partial feelings on what was going on because if I didn’t see it coming, that means it was done very well.” —Rey Mysterio
“The last match that Cody and Cena had, SummerSlam, was incredible. I really enjoyed it. Me personally, it’s very different when you’re in the locker room watching the monitors. But when you’re at home and you have nobody around and you’re just chill, you’re having yourself a drink and you’re watching the show, you realize things that you don’t realize when you’re at the arena. I remember texting Cody and Cena, I said–really good match guys, I really enjoyed it from home. Congratulations to both of you.” —Rey Mysterio
Context of Cena’s WWE Farewell and What Lies Ahead
The rivalry and heel turn occur during the final chapter of John Cena’s active WWE career, known as his Farewell Tour. This run has included some of his most memorable moments and achievements, including capturing a record-breaking 17th World Title. Cena still has seven scheduled appearances before his official retirement in December 2025, and these storylines will likely continue to build anticipation as fans witness the conclusion of one of WWE’s all-time greats.
Rey Mysterio’s reflections not only provide insight into the internal WWE locker room reaction but also underscore the emotional and storytelling stakes involved in this phase of Cena’s career. As Cena’s farewell story unfolds, the John Cena heel turn impact will remain a topic of conversation among fans and analysts, further elevating the significance of his final matches and appearances.
