The heel turn pro wrestling fans had fantasy-booked for two decades unfolded at Elimination Chamber, as John Cena aligned himself with The Rock against Cody Rhodes.
In an iconic moment that will stand alongside the likes of Hulk Hogan’s heel turn and Seth Rollins’ betrayal of The Shield, Cena bloodied Rhodes at Rock’s command, cementing a pivot point in pro wrestling history and a shocking path to the main event at WrestleMania 41.
The sheer presentation value of Cena embracing Rhodes and watching Rock for the command was award-worthy, with the subtle acting from both saying so, so much. In the moment, fans had to know what that look from Cena meant…but still couldn’t believe it:
The downright wildest and most impressive part of the storytelling? Maybe fans should have seen it coming.
No, seriously, look at the promotional poster:
This was not just the last chance for Cena to go after the fabled heel turn, but perhaps the best opportunity ever presented. He was desperate to make good on his retirement tour with a ‘Mania main event and 17th title win.
Subtle nods were there over the last few weeks, too. Cena submitted himself to the Chamber while everyone else had to earn it. Then, despite his year-long retirement tour, he went off to film something and didn’t show up for events.
In the match itself? He was more than happy to capitalize on Rollins stomping CM Punk’s head into a metal grate to steal the win and punch his ticket to ‘Mania.
Just think about the history there. Remember back in the day at a certain Money in the Bank event when Vince McMahon tried to throw interference in a Punk-Cena title match and Cena told him off? Leading to the Punk upset win before The Best in the World escaped through the crowd?
This time, Cena was more than happy to take the assist. Then, more than happy to play fake-happy for Rhodes until it was time to strike. He’s borderline desperate, too, after taking loss after loss as a part-timer for years, quietly realizing he’s not really the guy anymore.
Cena was crystal clear after his near-miss at the Royal Rumble that he would do what is best for business. And that, more than anything else, is finally giving fans that heel turn now he’s free of the burden of being the company face for children and a merchandise-mover.
What could be bigger and better for business than the worldwide attention gleaned from a heel turn two decades in the making?
And Cena, the character…what does he care for fan reactions right now? He was booed endlessly at the top while carrying WWE on his back. Now, when he’s universally loved, giving them the middle finger with this turn is downright captivating.
Just as Cena is about to go full-blown Hollywood for good, why not align himself with a major movie player like The Rock and get in good like that? They can even suggest Cena “sold his soul” to The Great One a long time ago, implying that’s the reason for his successes there.
There’s no telling where this goes from here, truly. Maybe we could guess Cena would actually turn heel Saturday night. But from here? Good luck. Maybe in six months, he will see the error in his ways, repent and go out a babyface on his back.
Or. Or…maybe Cena’s the next corporate/board member part-timer who inserts himself into the main roster activities all the time as a new-age Vince McMahon boss-type character for who knows how long?
And that’s just the big picture. If Cena truly has less than one year left as a full-time wrestler, he’s undoubtedly beating Rhodes at WrestleMania. That puts The American Nightmare back in chase mode, where he’s most interesting, and the veteran can run roughshod as the evil boss all his old feuds and new encounters want to conquer.
How does it end? Right now…who cares? The moment is here. Hollywood Cena. Vincena-mania. Call it whatever. Heel Cena is here and the build to WrestleMania 41 couldn’t have had a better path.
The golden era of pro wrestling continues. This time with Cena back on top in the best way possible.