John Cena’s final WWE run is set to conclude in a few months, but his recent actions have sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, particularly affecting Rey Mysterio. Cena’s unexpected heel turn against Cody Rhodes during his last stretch left the veteran legend feeling physically unsettled, marking a tense moment in WWE history.
In a surprising move approved by WWE management, Cena turned heel by betraying Cody Rhodes and joining forces with The Rock ahead of WrestleMania 41. While The Final Boss was absent after the Elimination Chamber event in Toronto, Cena maintained his villainous persona for several months before briefly returning to his traditional character just before his rematch with The American Nightmare at WWE SummerSlam 2025.
Rey Mysterio addressed this turn of events during a RAW Recap segment, revealing how deeply the heel turn impacted him on a personal level. The WWE icon admitted that Cena’s betrayal caused him distress and caught him completely off-guard.
“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. 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,” Mysterio said. —Rey Mysterio, WWE Legend
John Cena’s Final Appearance on WWE SmackDown in Chicago
John Cena made his last scheduled appearance on Friday Night SmackDown during the recent broadcast from Chicago. In the opening match, Cena faced Sami Zayn, who issued an open challenge for the United States Championship. Their contest ended inconclusively when Brock Lesnar suddenly returned to SmackDown, attacking the referee and disrupting the bout.
Lesnar delivered an F5 to Zayn and then dealt two F5s to Cena before departing the arena, warning Cena that their rivalry would continue at Wrestlepalooza in Indiana. This confrontation underscored the intensity of Cena’s final SmackDown moment.
With this event marking Cena’s farewell to the blue brand, his remaining WWE appearances are expected exclusively on Monday Night RAW and select premium live events. Cena’s final match is slated for December at Saturday Night’s Main Event, bringing a close to his storied WWE career.
Implications of Cena’s Heel Turn and Final WWE Chapter
John Cena’s shocking heel turn symbolizes one of the most dramatic shifts in WWE’s recent storyline landscape, significantly affecting fellow wrestlers like Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes. This breakout moment not only adds tension to upcoming WrestleMania narratives but also heightens anticipation for Cena’s final match in December. As Cena transitions away from SmackDown and focuses on his last appearances, WWE fans are left watching closely to see how this bold move reshapes his legacy and the company’s future storylines.
