Son’s Heel Turn Was Destroyed By The Rock’s Exit

John Cenaâ€s stunned fans by turning heel in March 2025 which marked his first time as a fully-fledged villain in over two decades. While the turn itself shocked fans, many felt that what followed failed to meet expectations.

Cenaâ€s heel run began with an alliance with The Rock, though the “Final Boss†quickly disappeared from WWE television afterward. Speaking on UnSKripted, Cenaâ€s father, John Cena Sr., reflected on his sonâ€s final year in the ring.

“I think what heâ€s done is right, itâ€s good, itâ€s positive… Turning John Cena heel was a great idea. The shock factor was great.â€

While Cena Sr. praised the turn itself, he agreed with fans who felt the follow-up fell flat.

“The storyline [after the turn] was destroyed. That was a very poor move in my opinion because it was a big gamble for everyone involved.â€

Cena Sr. placed much of the blame on The Rockâ€s sudden absence, calling it a crushing blow to one of WWEâ€s biggest storylines in years.

“To see how it started, and then to see the characters who are involved no longer be present, the heel turn almost became non-essential. That was something I wasnâ€t really too hyped up on.â€

Ultimately, Cena abandoned the heel turn ahead of SummerSlam 2025 and returned to the fan-favorite role that defined much of his career. With only a handful of appearances left before retirement, Cena is set to close out his legendary run as the beloved babyface, despite his fatherâ€s belief that the heel turn could have been so much more.

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