John Cena‘s attempt at a heel turn in WWE generated substantial excitement earlier this year, particularly at the Elimination Chamber event, but the momentum quickly faded, leaving fans puzzled about what went wrong. John Cena Sr., the father of the WWE Superstar, recently addressed the issue in an interview with Sportskeeda, expressing that while the initial decision to turn Cena heel was promising, the storyline faltered due to the departure of vital figures like The Rock and Travis Scott.
Impact of Key Figures Leaving the Storyline
John Cena Sr. described the switch to a villainous character as “a great idea” that initially delivered strong shock value. However, he criticized the subsequent unraveling of the plot, noting that the absence of key players undermined the storyline’s strength. According to Cena Sr., the heel turn lost significance once involved personalities exited, turning what was once an exciting gamble into a failed venture.
Turning John Cena heel was a great idea,
Cena Sr. said.
The shock factor was great, but I think the storyline was destroyed. And that was a poor move in my opinion because it was a big gamble for everyone that was involved. And to see how it started and then to see the characters that were involved no longer be present, the heel turn almost became non-essential.
— John Cena Sr., Father of WWE Superstar John Cena
The Rock’s Departure and Its Consequences
The unexpected step back by The Rock greatly contributed to the heel turn’s downfall. After WrestleMania 41, The Rock revealed on the Pat McAfee Show that he informed both John Cena and Cody Rhodes he would retreat from the spotlight following Elimination Chamber. This withdrawal marked the beginning of the decline in momentum for Cena’s new persona.
What’s Next for John Cena’s WWE Journey?
John Cena Sr.’s comments highlight the fragile nature of wrestling storylines dependent on multiple high-profile stars. The Rock and Travis Scott’s exits left the heel turn story hollow, making it difficult for Cena’s character to maintain credibility as a villain. Moving forward, success may hinge on more sustained involvement from key figures and a coherent narrative that can engage viewers consistently.
John Cena Sr. says John Cena’s heel turn was ‘destroyed’ when the characters involved were no longer present:
“Turning John Cena heel was a great idea, the shock factor was great but I think the storyline was destroyed.
And that was a poor move in my opinion because it was a… pic.twitter.com/Iejc1dF166
— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) September 24, 2025
