John Cena teased his shocking heel turn back in 2024, providing hints as to what fans should expect after the Elimination Chamber.
Cena turned heel at the end of last weekend’s WWE Elimination Chamber event. During a segment at the end of the PLE, Cena attacked Cody Rhodes and sided with The Rock in the process. While Cena has yet to comment on the incident, he has previously discussed a planned heel turn for his character, offering insight into what we should expect this time round.
John Cena revealed old heel turn plans
Cena was interviewed by Chris Van Vliet last year and detailed a previously planned heel turn. According to the WWE legend, he was set to turn heel around the time of his first WrestleMania main event with The Rock back in 2012. This included recording a brand new entrance theme, new gear, and a planned change in attitude.
Cena explained both physical and mental changes to his WWE character. This included seven new low-cut singlets with “boxing-type robes” and wrestling boots, along with the final mix of newly recorded entrance music.
Cena went on to explain how the character would change to become a bad guy, pointing out several traits he has already displayed while embarking on his “farewell tour.”
When discussing what he’d have done as a heel, Cena said: “Go the opposite route, and now lean into the opposite of everything you stand for. So I would begin to not work as hard. I would show up less. I would be untrustworthy, unloyal. I would lack respect in what I did … I would give up a lot.”
He added: “How could I take the intellectual property that people are familiar with, and twist it so it’s like ‘this guy’s insane!'”
Cena also noted how the change in approach would include not selling any merchandise, not doing any public appearance, and also not carrying out any Make-a-Wish duties while playing the heel.
The interview can be viewed below:
It remains to be seen if Cena will follow the exact process he outlined above, so fans will have to wait until his next WWE appearance to learn more.
