John Cena Reveals WWE Heel Turn Was Solely To Create A Moment (WWE News)
John Cena's heel turn happened solely because WWE needed a moment for Elimination Chamber.
With just three days left in the in-ring career of the legendary John Cena, the record-setting 17-time World Champion has recently discussed the WWE creative process around his heel turn from earlier this year.
Appearing on the latest episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Cena said that there was no long-term plan for him to turn heel during his retirement match, and that the turn came about because WWE felt they needed something big for the Elimination Chamber - the PLE where that turn took place.
As Big Match John explained when asked if turning heel was always the plan:
"No, that stuff you see on [WWE] Unreal is real. 'We need to make Chamber big, so let's do something that'll shock everybody. Hey man, we got this idea.' 'No problem, I'll do the best I can.'"
On some of the negative responses to how that heel run was ultimately handled, John added:
"This is just my perspective, [but] what I like is people are talking about it. And the cool thing is, people who are critical of it apparently had some idea in their head about what they wanted, which is great, because that means you're attached, that means you care. I enjoy that, and I hear that criticism. When we did it, we did it as a big moment but with a purpose. 'Hey, this is gonna ignite something with you and Cody, it's going to start in February and end in August. Because you only have 36 broadcasts, and Intuit [Stadium, the site of Money in the Bank 2025] and Rumble are gone, so, we're down to 34. And then we need some on the backend with you actually being a good guy, so let's take it down to 24.' We kinda have to tell a story that should be two years long, 52 weeks a year, plus 14 to 18 PLEs, [but] we've got to do it in, like, 20 episodes of television. Okay, so it took my focus to Cody, on the championship, and on frustrations that I've had. It all comes from a genuine place, things I could say."
The 48-year-old icon continued:
"I'm so happy to say that I wouldn't retread the course, because I gave everything I had. My poor wife; I woke up in the middle of the night writing promo lines and thinking about spots and stuff. The opponents I had were great, but I remember everyone talking in February and being, like, 'Yes, this is how things change. Yes, this is a good plan.' 'Okay, guys, if I'm gonna ruin this thing, I'm gonna wrestle methodically. I have an idea of what ruining wrestling is.'"
When asked what his idea of ruining wrestling is, Cena simply wanted to take away the fun aspect:
"Taking the fun away from the fan. If I'm an advocate of, like, 'We can't do this without you,' and then I finally realise that, like, 'Man, you guys are kind of abusive, and I'm a victim,' I'm gonna take the thing that matters most to you away. So, I'm going to take the most coveted spot on the program, the main event spot, and the chase for the most coveted prize, and suck, and make it painful for you to sit through."
In a fascinating, hour-plus interview with CVV, John Cena covered a whole host of topics, and interestingly said that he'd planned his retirement for the past three years, initially making the proposal in 2022 for him to eventually call time on his career in 2025. And now, we're on the cusp of Cena hanging up his boots, as he takes on Gunther at Saturday Night's Main Event this weekend in what's sure to be an emotional night for the pro wrestling world.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Insight with Chris Van Vliet with an H/T to WhatCulture Wrestling.