Watch IV: The Most Shocking Heel Turn In Recent Memory

After a long, stressful work week and resting during the weekend, I would like to talk about something that happened last March 2 (Philippine time)—a moment that I’m still not over with because of how it shocked everyone in the pro wrestling world.

(This is a spoiler warning if you have not seen WWE Elimination Chamber: Toronto. I know that almost everyone has seen it, but I’m just being careful.)

Last March 2 (Philippine time) at WWE Elimination Chamber: Toronto, in the final moments of the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, an eliminated and frustrated Seth “Freakin” Rollins stomped CM Punk’s head, John Cena applied the STF submission move to Punk, and Punk passed out. Cena won the final Elimination Chamber match of his career, and he earned the right to challenge “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. This is amazing: a face (a wrestling term for “hero”) against another face.

Speaking of Cody Rhodes, the champion walked to the ring and had a staredown with the victorious John Cena. “The Final Boss” The Rock also entered the ring with Travis Scott, then he asked Rhodes if he would be his champion. The Rock wants and needs Rhodes’ soul. Then Rhodes said his soul belonged to the ring and to the fans a long time again, and he also told him to “go fuck yourself.” Cena and the fans cheered, and then he hugged Rhodes… then Cena’s happy face turned cold, The Rock signalled the end for Rhodes, and Cena kicked Rhodes in the balls.

I cannot believe it. We cannot believe it. John Cena—the top face of WWE for many years and one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time—has turned heel (a wrestling term for “villain”) for the first time since 2003, and he aligned himself with The Rock, a former nemesis. Everyone’s jaws dropped, including mine. Cena’s heel turn could arguably be more shocking than Hulk Hogan’s heel turn in 1996.

Cena then hit Rhodes with a Rolex, punched him several times, and hit him with a microphone and the WWE title. After that, Cena choked a bloody Rhodes with his tie, Travis Scott punched him as well, and The Rock struck him with a white custom “Cody’s Soul” weight training belt. The Rock then spread Rhodes’s blood into the belt.

I still cannot believe it. This is John Cena’s final year as a professional wrestler, and he is now a heel. (Some may say, “Finally, after 20+ many years, he turned heel.”) What will happen next? Why did Cena turn heel? Is he going to be a heel until the end of 2025? We will see in the coming weeks. (Perhaps this week because the Raw episode after Elimination Chamber: Toronto only featured a recap of Cena’s heel turn. That’s it. No new promo from The Rock and Cena. Ugh!)

And do you know how shocking John Cena’s heel turn is? It is so shocking that relatives and friends (who are casual WWE viewers) messaged me about the turn because they were used to Cena being a hero/face for 20+ years. The turn also reached mainstream media and a new Cena meme was born. Now, casual viewers and hardcore fans will definitely tune in to the road to WrestleMania 41.

Speaking of WrestleMania 41, I’m excited about the confirmed matches so far:

1. John Cena vs Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship
2. Tiffany Stratton vs Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women’s Championship
3. Gunther vs Jey Uso for the World Heavyweight Championship
4. Iyo Sky vs Bianca Belair for the Women’s World Championship

WrestleMania 41 will happen on April 19 and April 20, 2025, and it will be streamed on the WWE Network (if you are in the Philippines).

Until the next post.

Ω

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Published on March 10, 2025 at 11:05pm. Edited at 11:15pm.