Why a Heel John Cena Is More Interesting for His WWE Retirement Tour

By Thomas Brunt

For years, WWE legend and future Hall of Famer John Cena has embodied the ultimate babyface—a Superman-like figure who never gives up. Since 2003, he has remained steadfast in that role, resisting any significant character shift. Yet, he has often teased fans with the possibility of a heel turn—only for it to amount to nothing more than a joke or a ploy to generate buzz. However, the shocking turn at the end of Saturday’s PLE, Elimination Chamber has truly shaken both the wrestling and pop culture worlds.

This move—once long overdue and highly anticipated—isn’t necessarily what fans expected or even wanted at this stage of his career, especially during his retirement tour. Some are excited about the fresh unpredictability Cena brings to the Road to WrestleMania, while others are conflicted about the long-term implications post 'Mania. Like Cena himself was at times, this decision seems to be polarizing. It’s a bold risk that, depending on execution, could be a masterstroke or a misfire—especially given his legacy among the younger fans who have admired him for years. Though I will say, it's not so controversial that it doesn't seem to have worked, then again only time will tell how this can be really measured.

But what if I told you there are several compelling reasons to embrace this change?  ​

The Power of a Redemption Arc

WWE could have easily played it safe—giving Cena the classic babyface farewell, leaning into nostalgia, and delivering the feel-good moments fans expect. And sure, that would have worked. But with this being his final run, one has to ask: Is that truly the most impactful way to close out his legendary career?

A redemption arc has the potential to elevate his legacy even further. Cena’s career has already left an undeniable mark, but this shift adds an entirely new layer to his story. Instead of repeating what’s been done before—even if it’s worked—it creates a distinct, memorable chapter that will stand apart from the rest.

Wrestling—and pop culture as a whole—thrives on moments that create lasting impact. A well-executed redemption arc wouldn’t just be compelling storytelling; it would also showcase Cena’s willingness to evolve for the sake of the business rather than simply playing it safe.  

And let’s not forget the poetic symmetry. Cena started his WWE career as a brash heel, the "Doctor of Thuganomics", before fully embracing the role of WWE’s moral compass. Now, with *his time being up* (no pun intended), what better way to bring his journey full circle? The best stories often echo the past in meaningful ways—this one has the potential to do just that.

The Rock Factor: An Unexpected Alliance

Cena’s shocking turn is made even more intriguing by his alignment with The Rock. The most obvious connection is their storied two-year WrestleMania feud, which headlined The Grandest Stage of Them All at WrestleMania 28 and 29. But now, the stakes are arguably even higher.

Both men have transitioned to Hollywood, with The Rock long established as its dominant power player. In the process, they’ve seemingly distanced themselves from the very company they once ruled. This new alliance, therefore, carries added significance—it’s more than just a heel turn; it’s a statement. Viewed through this lens, it even sidesteps some of the criticism that the turn lacks a solid foundation. While some may argue that this pairing is based more on conjecture than history, the reality is that the history does exist—and WWE will undoubtedly weave it into the narrative moving forward.​

A Different Cena

As I mentioned earlier, this opens the door for fresh, intriguing moments we haven’t seen before—or at least not in a very long time. It shakes things up in a big way. We’re so accustomed to the clean-cut, crowd-pleasing, goody-two-shoes version of Cena. But this time? There’s no telling what he might do.

An older, wiser Cena—who consistently spent 15 years carrying the company on his back, maybe more—may now feel justified in embracing a more entitled, ruthless, and aggressive side. And with this being his final hurrah, there’s every reason to believe WWE will pull out all the stops, ensuring this version of Cena leaves an even more lasting impression.

His brutal attack on beloved babyface champion Cody Rhodes was just the beginning. Darkside Cena is here, and if history tells us anything, it’s that WWE will continue to push the envelope with this transformation.

I touched on this earlier, but it’s worth emphasizing: The old adage, “If it’s not broken, don’t fix it,” might suggest keeping Cena as the tried-and-true babyface. But in an industry built on reinvention, even the most established figures benefit from evolution. Cena has been around long enough to know that great storytelling demands risk-taking. So rather than asking if change is necessary, perhaps the better question is: Why settle for good when you can aim for something even better—maybe even the best?

And if WWE is known for one thing when it comes to WrestleMania, it’s their constant desire to outdo themselves. This move sets the stage for them to do exactly that.