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After two decades as WWE's ultimate babyface, John Cena's recent heel turn at Elimination Chamber 2025 stunned fans. But looking back, subtle hints, including a previously planned 2012 turn, infrequent appearances, and ruthless in-ring actions, foreshadowed this shocking transformation, marking a new chapter as he challenges Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41.

The Unthinkable: John Cena Goes Heel

In a moment that sent shockwaves through the WWE Universe, John Cena betrayed everything he stood for at Elimination Chamber 2025, turning heel on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. This sets the stage for a highly anticipated WrestleMania 41 clash, where Cena aims for a record-breaking 17th world championship – but as a villain. While the turn seemed sudden, clues have been subtly emerging for years.

The 2012 Blueprint: A Heel Turn That Never Was

Back in July 2024, Cena stated he was no longer interested in a heel turn after announcing his retirement tour. However, rewind to April 2024, Cena revealed on "Insight" with Chris Van Vliet a meticulously planned heel turn that was scrapped in 2012.

Cena was set to embrace the dark side around his "Once in a Lifetime" match against The Rock at WrestleMania 28.

He had even prepared a new entrance theme and gear – boxing robes and singlets, a stark contrast to his usual attire. The idea was to embody the opposite of his "Never Give Up" mantra, sacrificing everything he stood for. However, concerns about merchandise sales and his commitment to Make-A-Wish led to the abandonment of the turn.

Missed Signals: Subtle Shifts in Cena's Persona

Before the blatant attack on Rhodes, Cena exhibited heelish traits, echoing discussions from his "Insight" interview about the 2012 plan.

• Reduced Appearances: Cena mentioned he'd appear on fewer shows. While his part-time status made this less obvious, his limited appearances in 2025, with Elimination Chamber being only his second show, should have raised eyebrows. This was further emphasized by his refusal to qualify for the Men's Elimination Chamber match after his Royal Rumble loss.
• Silent Treatment: After Elimination Chamber, Cena grabbed the microphone, dropped it, and left without a word. While The Rock engaged with the media, Cena doubled down on his heel persona by simply walking away.

The Final Straw: Ruthlessness in the Ring

Cena also stated in his 2024 "Insight" interview that he wouldn't work as hard; he would be untrustworthy and unreliable, going back on everything he stood for. The most telling sign came during the Men's Elimination Chamber match. Cena locked CM Punk in a brutal STF submission hold after Seth Rollins attacked Punk. This blatant exploitation of the situation should have been a clear indicator of Cena's impending betrayal.

In retrospect, Cena's heel turn wasn't a random act but a carefully foreshadowed event. From a scrapped 2012 plan to subtle shifts in behavior, the clues were there. Now, as Cena prepares to challenge Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, the WWE Universe braces itself for a new era defined by a villainous John Cena.