John Cena is set to make his final appearance at WrestleMania, and this time, he’ll be donning the villainous persona known as a heel. For 20 years, Cena has been synonymous with being a “babyface,” or the good guy in the ring, but this weekend’s match against defending WWE champion Cody Rhodes marks a significant departure from his usual heroics.
Cena’s decision to turn heel has sent shockwaves through the wrestling world and among fans, who have been clamoring for him to take on this role. According to David Shoemaker, writer for culture website The Ringer and host of its wrestling podcast, The Masked Man, Cena’s heel turn is a big deal because it marks a departure from his usual heroic persona.
“He’s just been known as the most consistent babyface for 20 years,” Shoemaker notes. “It was also a big deal from a fan’s perspective because we’ve been begging for him to turn heel for most of those 20 years.” Cena has always been revered for his heroic performances, earning him the nickname “SuperCena” and making him the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s most requested celebrity wish granter.
However, in recent months, Cena has lambasted WWE crowds for their love-hate relationship with him and promised to “ruin wrestling” for everyone. His heel turn has been met with excitement from fans, who are eager to see Cena take on a more villainous role.
Shoemaker believes that Cena’s decision to go out as a heel is a testament to his conviction outside of the ring. “He’s a man of real conviction,” Shoemaker says. “I believe he’s really going to retire.” Despite rumors that Cena might change his mind, many fans are hailing this final WrestleMania appearance as a big deal.
The Rock, another Hollywood star turned wrestler, has paved the way for Cena’s heel turn. Last year, The Rock made a similar transition from hero to villain, and it ultimately proved to be a successful move that boosted his mainstream appeal.
As Cena prepares for his final match against Rhodes, fans are eagerly anticipating this momentous occasion. With Cena taking on the role of the bad guy, WWE has undoubtedly created a unique and memorable storyline for its biggest event.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/18/nx-s1-5366023/john-cena-wrestlemania-cody-rhodes