10 Big Turns WWE Must Make In 2017
3. John Cena (Heel)
Ahhh, the ever-elusive John Cena heel turn. This is one thing WWE fans have been yearning for since John’s Superman ran kicked-off 10 years ago, but it has never materialised. For all his negativity, Cena has been too reliable as WWE’s franchise player (and too efficient a merch-seller) for the company to even consider turning him heel. His detractors are many, but Cena is a proven needle-mover in an era low on stardom, and his popularity with WWE’s younger audience was always too great to sacrifice.
WWE’s success has been linked to John Cena’s for years, but this has lessened lately. He’s still one of the company’s most important wrestlers, but he’s not the most important anymore. Cena is transitioning towards a part-time role, his career is winding down, and he might not be long for the wrestling world. The risk of turning him heel has never been lower, and if WWE are ever going to pull it off, this is the perfect opportunity.
All they need to do is amplify Cena’s desperation in his attempts at breaking Ric Flair’s record of 16 World Championships. He has fallen to AJ Styles in two consecutive matches, and unless he changes his approach, Cena won’t be beating him anytime soon. Let Cena become so consumed by his quest that he resorts to underhand tactics and foul behaviour, and the turn will be complete.
Alternatively, a full heel turn would make for a more compelling match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania, assuming WWE finally decide to book them together this year. The demand for a Cena heel turn isn’t as high as it used to be, but the timing has never been better.