Why John Cena Had to Abandon His Heel Turn — And What It Means for His WWE Farewell Tour
John Cena has spent over two decades playing the ultimate good guy in WWE. He’s saluted the fans, granted thousands of Make-A-Wish dreams, and become a global ambassador for the sport. So when he shockingly turned heel earlier this year, it felt… off.
Let’s call it what it was, the heel run didn’t click. The "Cody’s Soul" storyline penned by The Rock’s writing team fizzled, and Cena’s attempt to portray a ruthless, egotistical version of himself lacked the edge that made other turns legendary. Why? Because John Cena is a natural babyface. He's done it for so long, it's ingrained in how he moves, speaks, and connects with the crowd.
And let’s not forget, Cena isn’t just wrapping up a wrestling chapter — he’s prepping for a full-time Hollywood life. Ending his WWE career as a villain would be a poor fit for the brand he’s built across TV, movies, and late-night cameos. Simply put, a "pathetic heel run" could damage the clean-cut image that makes him a Hollywood go-to.
So when Cena walked into SummerSlam 2025 with a smile on his face, shook Cody Rhodes' hand, and gave the WWE Universe a baby-face vs. baby-face match — it made perfect sense. And then, boom — Brock Lesnar returned to drop Cena with a thunderous F-5, instantly setting up a blockbuster rivalry for the road to Clash in Paris.
According to Wrestling Observer Radio, the creative shift wasn’t just about salvaging Cena’s image — it was also a matter of chemistry. "They dropped the heel story because it sucked," Dave Meltzer said bluntly. Bryan Alvarez added that Cena is simply more comfortable and effective in the ring as a babyface.
Meanwhile, at the SummerSlam press conference, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque revealed that Lesnar’s return wasn’t a shock to Cena and that it was his request. Cena had given Triple H a list of opponents he wanted for his farewell tour, and "The Beast" was at the top of it. Triple H didn't mention anything about The Rock or how his writing team was behind the original heel turn for John Cena, however this was made apparent during an episode on Netflix's new hit series "WWE Unreal". Where honestly rock has ru
It’s clear WWE is letting Cena write his own final chapter. And if this ride ends with one more war against Brock Lesnar? That’s the kind of storybook finish fans — and Cena himself deserves. We will be following both Lesnar and Cena closely so make sure you stay lock in to www.Wrestling.news.
🗣️ Wrestling.News | Backstage Take:
John Cena tried to shake things up with a heel turn, but the truth is — he is the hero. The crowd never fully turned on him, and neither did WWE. With Brock Lesnar back and The Rock’s storyline stalling, Cena’s sudden return to form as a babyface isn’t just damage control — it’s smart storytelling. He’s not just finishing his wrestling legacy. He’s protecting his Hollywood brand, and WWE is playing it right by giving him the sendoff he earned.
