John Cena Turns Heel, Aligns With The Rock At WWE Elimination Chamber 2025

For the first time since October 2003, John Cena is a heel in WWE, having turned in a historic moment at Elimination Chamber.

Cena punched his ticket to WrestleMania in the final match of the night, winning the Men's Elimination Chamber Match. Cena had already shown a different side to himself, taking advantage of a stomp from Seth Rollins to CM Punk even though Rollins had already been eliminated. Cena didn't hesitate, though, and he dragged Punk into the ring and applied the STF for the submission win.

Post-match, Cody Rhodes made his way to the ring before The Rock and Travis Scott (for some reason) headed to the squared circle. The Rock asked for Cody's answer about being his champion but Cody declined, saying his soul belonged in this ring and to the fans before he told The Rock to go f*ck himself.

John Cena celebrated Cody's stance wildly and he embraced Rhodes. Cena's face suddenly changed, though, and he locked eyes with The Rock as Dwayne Johnson made a cutting motion across his neck. Following this, Cena decked Cody Rhodes with a Low Blow and proceeded to punch Cody with his own watch before he decked Rhodes over and over again with the Undisputed WWE Title belt.

This busted Cody open and Cena then choked out Rhodes with his own tie. Cena and Travis Scott - who was still there - then held down Cody Rhodes as The Rock whipped him with a belt, with Elimination Chamber then going off the air as The Rock, Travis Scott, and John Cena stood tall.

Fans had called for a John Cena heel turn for years while he was a full-time performer, particularly while he was WWE's top star from 2005 until 2015 and was on the receiving end of heavy boos. A heel turn was considered during his feud with The Rock between 2011 and 2013 but WWE ultimately never pulled the trigger.

Cultaholic is now on WhatsApp! Follow us here. Sign up to the Cultaholic Wrestling Newsletter now.