John Cena’s attempt at a heel turn came to an unexpected halt on WWE SmackDown last week, signaling a failed shift in his character. The moment was marked by Cena himself admitting he was wrong to embrace the darker side, an arc that ended abruptly just before WWE SummerSlam. This sudden reversal was followed by Cena losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes in a chaotic Street Fight during Night Two of the Premium Live Event.
Wrestling legend John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield, known as JBL, recently shared his thoughts on this development during an episode of Something to Wrestle. JBL emphasized that while Cena’s heel turn was an intriguing concept, it ultimately did not connect with the audience as planned.
“I think sometimes when you draw something up, it’s a great plan, and all of a sudden it doesn’t work. And I think that’s what it was… you put it out there on the field or the ring or wherever you put it out there to implement it, and it doesn’t work like you thought it would. And I think that’s what happened here. You got one of the greatest of all time, in John Cena, certainly on the Mount Rushmore of almost anybody’s Mount Rushmore for people,” he said.
JBL further explained that Cena’s immense popularity made it difficult for fans to accept him in a villainous role, hindering the intended dramatic shift.
“And he had something that was not resonating. I didn’t think it was resonating, you know, as well as the people wanted to see Cena. I’m not sure they wanted to see the heel Cena. I think they just wanted to like, ‘You know what? We just love this guy. We want to see him,’” he added.
Bill Apter Reveals Plans for Cena’s Final WWE Chapter
Following the SummerSlam event at MedLife Stadium, where John Cena’s night took a sharp downturn due to a shocking return by longtime rival Brock Lesnar, insiders have revealed intriguing plans for the WWE icon’s retirement. Lesnar appeared to physically dominate Cena with a decisive F-5, hinting at a rekindled rivalry.
Bill Apter, speaking on Sportskeeda WrestleBinge’s SummerSlam Review, disclosed from his sources that Cena’s farewell tour will heavily focus on his future confrontations with Brock Lesnar. Apter suggested this feud would extend beyond a one-off encounter, framing Lesnar as a key figure in Cena’s final run.
“From what I heard from my inside source, Cena’s retirement tour is gonna revolve around Brock Lesnar. [So, this isn’t a one and done? Brock Lesnar is back.] Oh yeah. [He looks phenomenal. He looks like he hasn’t skipped a beat.] Why do a one and done and just, no reason?”
The history between Cena and Lesnar adds weight to this storyline. Their last match against each other took place in 2015 during the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event. It was a Triple Threat match including Seth Rollins, where Lesnar emerged victorious by pinning Cena to retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
What the Future Holds for John Cena and His Legacy
John Cena’s aborted heel turn highlights the challenges of altering a beloved character’s persona in WWE’s complex storytelling environment. Fans’ reluctance to accept Cena as a villain underlines his lasting impact as one of wrestling’s most celebrated heroes. Meanwhile, anticipation grows over what lies ahead as Cena’s story shifts toward his retirement tour.
The renewed feud with Brock Lesnar, confirmed by insiders, promises to be a central focus during Cena’s final appearances in the ring. This rivalry, marked by past iconic matches and intense competition, could provide a fitting climax for the 17-time World Champion as he prepares to depart from full-time wrestling.
As Cena navigates the closing chapter of his career, WWE Universe watchers remain eager to see whether this legendary rivalry will redefine his legacy and offer a memorable send-off for one of wrestling’s most enduring figures.
