101 Shocking Wrestling Plans You Won't Believe Almost Happened
26. Heel John Cena In 2012
John Cena's heel turn at Elimination Chamber 2025 will be debated forever. The actual turn itself was golden, largely because nobody saw it coming and there seemed to be real potential in a union between Cena and The Rock. Travis Scott? Nah, not so much, but people would be willing to overlook his part in things if Cena and Rocky meshed.
Both were supposed to play a part in John's daring heel turn back in 2012. Vince McMahon figured it'd be shocking if Cena went rogue during his feud with 'The Great One' and began doing the total opposite of everything he'd preached for years. JC would've shown less interest in wrestling, less passion for the fanbase, and he would've cut an altogether more aggressive heel figure.
WWE had just inked fresh merchandise terms with Walmart though, so changing anything about Cena would've been risking some serious dollars. So, McMahon ultimately decided against going through with the heel switch, and John wouldn't be a 'bad guy' until 2025's botched attempt.
The boss had wanted something huge to use as a USP for the Cena vs. Rock match he himself had called "Once In A Lifetime" at WrestleMania XXVIII. It wound up being babyface vs. babyface, then WWE handed John back his win come 'Twice In A Lifetime' at 'Mania 29 the very next year.
Cena had some new ring attire made, and he was going to use brand new music for the first match vs. Rocky. Then, Vince squashed his own thinking and stuck with John's 'baloney, fudge, mustard' presentation.