WWE Gimmicks That FAILED The HARDEST Every Year (1985-2025)
1. Heel John Cena (2025)
Expecting someone else?
John Cena's heel run was the only choice here. His actual turn at Elimination Chamber in February 2025 was world class and a reminder that 'anything can happen in WWE'. The Rock was present and correct as Cena turned on Cody Rhodes to join forces with the 'Final Boss'. Then, the holes in Triple H's plan were blown wide open.
Firstly, there was no proper explanation for why Cena and Rocky had teamed up to take Cody down. Focus shifted quickly from that union onto John lambasting the audience for previously booing him during his full-time run between 2002-2017 (or therein thereabouts). It was a little late in the day to suddenly get all upset about that, JC.
Next, Cena's retirement tour turned into a misery-fest as he tore into crowds and repeated the same stuff over and over again. Things were so sour and so samey that WWE flipped the script before SummerSlam in August by having John suddenly 're-embrace the hate' and act like the same folks he'd been chewing out were entitled to react however they wanted towards him.
In other words, the heel stuff was a waste of everyone's time.
What should've been a bolt from the blue and something truly special was nullified by Rock's absence, Cena's identical promos and some poor matches. Honestly, John probably wishes he hadn't bothered to try on the heel thing when he looks back on his final year in full.
What other WWE gimmicks belong here? For more wrestling, check out The WORST Moment From Every WWE WrestleMania and 25 Worst Wrestling Moments Of 2020!