25 Best Wrestling Moments Of 2025

2. John Cena Turns Heel

WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 Cody Rhodes John Cena
WWE

This is a list of ‘Best Wrestling Moments’, not ‘Decisions That Ultimately Proved To Be Disastrous’, so it warrants inclusion as a thing that happened in and of itself.

As a thing that happened in and of itself, the John Cena heel turn was an incredible bit of business. An all-timer of a wrestling moment. WWE had no need to do it - this tactic is usually deployed when a promotion is desperate - so that they did was an unthinkable shocker, particularly since it wasn’t foreshadowed within an inch of its life, as most plot developments are in 2025. It felt like of all people Paul Levesque wanted to do something cool and interesting for the sake of it (it was later revealed to be the Rock’s idea).

Again: literally everything before and after was abysmal and baffling - the cryptic soul-selling nonsense, the “each and every one of you” explanation - but as a mind-blowing bit of pro wrestling theatre, it was what you watch it for.

The Rock jamming his fingers into his throat because he "couldn't" do the slit gesture was actually a great choice, like he got off on the moment and wanted to feel it to its maximum. Cena’s face was wacky - did you expect anything else? - but he looked twisted and, yes, devoid of a soul in that moment.

The camera shot, the dramatic irony, the bloody use of Dusty’s watch to deepen the transgression and add gravity to the panto: this was disturbing, electrifying, the best possible execution of wrestling’s biggest idea.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!