WWE Hardcore icon Tommy Dreamer has voiced considerable disappointment with the execution of John Cena’s 2025 heel turn, arguing it was a major missed opportunity during Cena’s farewell year. As the wrestling world reacted to Cena’s retirement tour, the hotly anticipated storyline shift left both Dreamer and many fans dissatisfied with how the highly publicized change and its aftermath were handled by WWE.
Controversy Surrounds John Cena’s Retirement Tour
The anticipation leading up to John Cena’s final year in wrestling was immense, with speculation about how WWE would celebrate the legacy of “The Champ.” Excitement peaked when Cena revealed his plans to retire during Money In The Bank 2025, setting the stage for dramatic developments in his storyline. The narrative took a sharp turn at Elimination Chamber 2025, where Cena emerged victorious and secured a WWE Championship match, only to abruptly turn heel by launching a brutal attack on champion Cody Rhodes. This assault was heightened by surprise involvement from The Rock and musician Travis Scott, adding intrigue to the unexpectedly dark twist in Cena’s character.
In a storyline move, Cena aligned with The Final Boss, turning on the WWE audience and delivering harsh criticism toward fans he felt had failed to support him unconditionally. This was Cena’s first major heel persona since his days as the “Doctor Of Thuganomics” rapper heel character in the mid-2000s, prompting many lapsed viewers to tune back in to witness this rare transformation.
WWE’s Reversal Unsettles Fans and Critics Alike
Despite the buzz surrounding John Cena’s new heel run, WWE quickly reversed course. At SummerSlam 2025, Cena issued an apology to the fans and reverted to his familiar heroic persona, effectively ending the controversial heel phase. The retirement tour climaxed with Cena facing Gunther in his final match—a bout that concluded with Cena tapping out, a dramatic finish that left many longtime supporters and critics upset, given Cena’s career-long message of never giving up.
This sequence of events spurred debate across the wrestling community, with many believing WWE squandered a unique chance to explore fresh dimensions in Cena’s storied legacy.
Tommy Dreamer Expresses Frustration Over Booking Decisions
Tommy Dreamer, a notable former WWE Hardcore Champion and legend of the industry, shared his candid thoughts on the situation. Speaking on Busted Open Radio in conversation with AEW’s Thunder Rosa, Dreamer compared the handling of Cena’s heel turn to other controversial decisions in wrestling history.
“I thought, probably money-wise, merch-wise, it didn’t make a difference, but I would talk about the John Cena heel turn, which was perhaps the biggest miss of 2025. Maybe the biggest miss in WWE history, for some. For me, it’s number two in the misses of WWE, where the Undertaker losing at WrestleMania would be number one. And then this would be number two.”
– Tommy Dreamer, WWE Hardcore Legend
Dreamer pointed out that, in his opinion, the ending of The Undertaker’s WrestleMania winning streak at the hands of Brock Lesnar remains the top misstep in WWE’s storied past, but the botched handling of Cena’s heel turn comes close behind.
A Missed Chance That Leaves a Lasting Mark
Continuing in his critique, Dreamer emphasized the lasting impact such booking choices can have, describing WWE’s decision as a regrettable blemish on Cena’s otherwise remarkable career.
“I feel it’s a blemish. It’s an asterisk. You know me, and I know you, we love real sports, it’s an asterisk on your career, a blemish that didn’t need to happen, right?”
– Tommy Dreamer, WWE Hardcore Legend
He further implied that the quick reversion to Cena’s heroic image, rather than allowing the heel run to mature, deprived both fans and the company of a narrative that could have reshaped perceptions and added new layers to Cena’s legacy.
The Impact on WWE’s Historical Narrative
For over two decades, John Cena’s role in WWE has been defined by perseverance, dedication, and an unwavering connection with fans—qualities embodied in his famous motto. By shifting direction so swiftly after the Elimination Chamber and then ending his career with a submission loss to Gunther, WWE reignited debates among critics and viewers about creative risks, long-term storytelling, and how the company chooses to commemorate its most iconic figures.
The involvement of other prominent names like Cody Rhodes, The Rock, and Travis Scott in Cena’s 2025 heel turn storyline only heightened expectations and ultimately intensified the sense of disappointment when WWE chose not to explore this new chapter further. Dreamer’s remarks have resonated with many in the wrestling community who value storytelling depth and the opportunity for characters—even legendary ones—to evolve in compelling, sometimes uncomfortable ways.
Looking Ahead: What Could Have Been for John Cena’s Farewell
As Tommy Dreamer’s comments continue to spark discussion, the 2025 John Cena heel turn stands as a potent example of the stakes involved in wrestling’s creative choices. For fans, critics, and the talent themselves, the missed opportunity lingers as one of WWE’s most hotly debated decisions, serving as a reminder of how the focus keyword, John Cena 2025 heel turn, could have left a very different mark in wrestling history.
