WWE has frequently included celebrities to attract viewers, but not all have adapted well to the wrestling environment. Recently, John Cena’s father shared his thoughts about rapper Travis Scott’s involvement in a high-profile WWE storyline featuring The Rock and Cody Rhodes, during which Scott accidentally injured Rhodes. This incident sparked major criticism of Scott within WWE circles.
On the UnSKripted podcast, John Cena Sr. expressed his disapproval directly:
“I guess I am gonna say it the way it is. Travis Scott had no business being near a wrestling ring. You can see that when he came out. When he first made his appearance and I was like, he slaps the belt, he has got the bottle. He gets in the ring, just look. And I am not saying celebrities don’t belong there. Take a look at what Jelly Roll did. Take a look at some of the other celebrities.” [16:14 onwards] – John Cena Sr.
His statement distinguished Scott’s performance from other celebrity appearances, noting some were more fitting and effective in the wrestling environment.
Opinion on John Cena’s Heel Turn and Storyline Development
John Cena Sr. also commented on his son’s recent heel turn in WWE, acknowledging the initial shock value but expressing frustration with the follow-up execution. He felt the potential of the storyline was wasted as key characters faded from the narrative, causing the heel turn to lose significance over time.
Speaking further, he said:
“Turning John Cena heel was a great idea, the shock factor was great, but I think the storyline was destroyed. And that was a very 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 who were involved no longer be present, well, the heel turn almost became non-essential.” – John Cena Sr.
Recently, John Cena suffered a decisive loss against Brock Lesnar, leaving fans and analysts unsure about his WWE trajectory moving forward.
The Impact and Future of Celebrity Involvement in WWE
The controversy surrounding Travis Scott’s WWE in-ring appearance highlights the risks associated with integrating celebrities unfamiliar with wrestling into physically demanding segments. John Cena Sr.’s critique suggests WWE must carefully vet which celebrities participate to avoid incidents that damage both performers and the company’s image.
Meanwhile, John Cena’s father’s mixed feelings about the heel turn storyline underscore the challenges WWE faces in maintaining viewer interest and sustaining character arcs, especially when initial plot elements fail to develop as intended.
The future direction for John Cena remains uncertain after his recent loss, while WWE continues debating how best to balance celebrity involvement with wrestling authenticity.
