John Cena shocked WWE fans during a recent SmackDown segment by addressing his change from a babyface to a heel, directly blaming Dwayne Johnson and Travis Scott for abandoning him. Cena described how he pursued a false sense of glory influenced by Johnson, which led to his controversial behavior and split from his previous persona. This candid admission marked a significant turning point in the ongoing storyline.
During the segment, Cena reflected on his risky plan executed at the Elimination Chamber and how it left many surprised, but eventually, fans seemed indifferent. Despite this, Cena made it clear that he held Johnson and Scott responsible for leaving him “alone,” forcing him to maintain a lie about his character for weeks while worrying about fan perception. Ultimately, Cena expressed his desire to revert to his original image—promoting “hustle, loyalty, and respect” to young fans worldwide. Taking a final jab at Travis Scott, Cena said,
And on Sunday, the only platinum rapper showing up to whip your a** is me.
—John Cena, WWE Superstar
WWE Audience Welcomes John Cena’s Return to Hero Status
Earlier this year, Cena’s heel turn shocked the WWE Universe as he lashed out at fans, labeling the relationship toxic and hypocritical. While initially praised as a fresh direction desired by longtime followers, the character shift soon lacked depth, leading to emotional moments where Cena appeared vulnerable. The recent SmackDown episode revealed new layers as Cena credited Cody Rhodes for pushing him to sign a contract for their upcoming Street Fight at SummerSlam for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
Cena acknowledged Rhodes’ effort as a wake-up call that reminded him of the values of dedication and honesty he built his career on. This heartfelt recognition of Rhodes helped cement Cena’s transition back to a fan-favorite, and the crowd reacted with enthusiasm. The audience embraced Cena’s call-out of Travis Scott’s disputed involvement with WWE, and after Cena declared he was over the “bs,” wrestling fans flooded social media expressing surprise and excitement at the unexpected storyline twist.
oh, John Cena just wants me to up and forgive him now? after acting like a complete ASSHOLE for the past 4 months? tuh. #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/KaNIRh2K3D
—Sassington, M.C., Wrestling Fanatic
Further proof that Cena’s turnaround felt genuine came backstage, where he shared moments with young fans on Instagram, reinforcing his connection with the WWE community. This gesture sparked speculation about whether Dwayne Johnson, known as The Rock, would return at SummerSlam to shake up the ongoing rivalry.
Speculation Grows Around The Rock’s Anticipated SummerSlam Return
The return of John Cena’s positive persona has brought hope and nostalgia to fans, yet rumors suggest trouble lies ahead with rumors of The Rock’s comeback at SummerSlam. It is widely speculated that Johnson will return adopting a heel persona, aligning himself with Cody Rhodes to intensify the championship storyline. This anticipated role reversal would contrast sharply with Cena’s restored character.
Hints have been dropped that Johnson may embody a Homelander-like figure, antagonizing WWE fans rather than rallying behind them. This creates a complicated narrative where Rhodes appears poised to embrace this darker side under The Rock’s influence. If these developments unfold as expected, the upcoming pay-per-view will mark a significant chapter in WWE history as old rivalries reignite with fresh intensity.
SummerSlam 2025 is scheduled to stream live on August 2 and August 3 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on Peacock in the U.S. and on Netflix internationally, making it a global event wrestling fans will not want to miss.
