It’s been two weeks and still, it’s hard to believe.
John Cena, WWE’s golden boy, has crossed over to the dark side, turning heel for the first time since 2003. This is significant because he became the face of the company during this time and carried it through some rough patches.
From a storytelling perspective, this turn was done masterfully. It came as a genuine surprise to many, a rarity in professional wrestling these days, and it set up a fun ride for Cena’s retirement tour.
This turn, however, impact much more than just wrestling. Cena was one of the few who made a big name for himself outside of WWE, appearing in numerous movies and becoming a staple for the Make-a-Wish foundation.
Cena was seen as a superhero of sorts as the kids loved him. Despite many years of adults booing him, he still proved popular among the kids who idolized his mantra of “Hustle, Loyalty, Respect.”
And then he did the unthinkable.
At this year’s Elimination Chamber premium live event, Cena won the titular match that set him up with a title match against fellow good guy Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania.
The Rock was there to ask for Rhodes’ loyalty, which the champ rebuked, only to reveal he had Cena in his pocket all along. Cena subsequently brutally punished Rhodes before leaving with The Rock and rapper Travis Scott.
This turn is shocking for a host of reasons. For one, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Cena would never turn heel given his status outside of WWE despite the appetite for it being there for years.
Furthermore, Cena is everywhere. Most recently, his face was plastered all over McDonald’s, which changed short after the turn. He’s off filming a movie right now and is in the public eye everywhere.
It seemed impossible that Cena would give that all up as he chased his potentially record-breaking 17th championship. In fact, the crowd finally accepted him, a contrast of another memorable turn.
Hulk Hogan turned heel in 1996, a moment that seemed impossible given Hogan’s superhero status throughout the ’80s. The difference with the turn was the crowd was booing Hogan at the time and though the shift was startling, it gave the crowd what it wanted.
Cena seemed to finally get the adoration he had been chasing his career. The crowd was here for one more ride so this added to the eventual heel turn.
I could dive into the WWE storyline repercussions of Cena’s turn but it’s always been more than that. John Cena isn’t just any other wrestler, he is the an enduring pillar that belongs on any WWE Mt. Rushmore.
And that is what makes this turn so good, from a storyline perspective. It draws the attention of the larger entertainment and sports world because of the caliber of who did it.
Furthermore, how unexpected it was just makes this one of the best moments in professional wrestling, an industry predicated on memorable moments.
Lastly, it proves that nothing is sacred and proves that taking creative risks will always be worth it. Whether the larger entertainment world takes notice of this or not, it shows that if the story is right, the risk is worth it.
For now, buckle up as we are about to see what type of villain Cena can be.
Featured Image: WWE (via What Culture)
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