WRESTLING REWIND: WWE sticking with John Cena as a heel champion but could pivot back to baby face if his legacy is compromised

Wrestling ReWind / Headline SurferPhoto illustration courtesy of WWE for Headline Surfer / "The champ is here!" BELOW: John Cena defeats Cody Rhodes at Wrestlemasnia to win his record 17th WWE championship title.

John Cena vs Cody Rhodes / Headline SurferBy HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer

ORLANDO, Fla. -- WWE's decision to stick with John Cena as a heel champion has been met with a mixed response from the WWE Universe, with some fans finding it a refreshing change and others criticizing the execution. 

The narrative of Cena's heel run, particularly his alliance with The Rock and his subsequent turn against Cody Rhodes, has been a focal point of discussion. 

Here's a closer look at the different perspectives:

Arguments for the heel run:

  • Unique Character Shift: Cena's heel turn represents a significant departure from his long-standing babyface persona, offering a new dynamic to his character. 

  • Potential for Compelling Storylines: WWE could leverage Cena's heel run to create interesting feuds and rivalries, potentially with other top stars.

  • Fresh Take on Cena: Some fans appreciate the change, finding Cena's heel run more exciting and engaging than his traditional baby face portrayal. Others find it abhorrent, and some even see it as forced and not very believable.

Arguments against the heel run:

  • Unclear Motivations: The reasoning behind Cena's heel turn, particularly his alliance with The Rock, has been criticized as illogical or poorly explained. 

  • Damage to Cena's Legacy: Some fans feel that Cena's heel turn diminishes his legacy and risks alienating long-time fans who have been fans of his babyface character. 

  • Disappointing Execution: The overall booking of Cena's heel run, particularly his initial feuds, has been criticized as underwhelming and uninspired, with some fans feeling that the story is not living up to its potential. 

Possible outcomes:

  • Continued Heel Run: WWE could continue to develop Cena's heel character, potentially leading to more significant feuds and rivalries, and a longer title reign. 

  • Reversal of Heel Turn: Cena could eventually turn back into a baby face due to external factors or a shift in his character's motivations. 

  • Gradual Shift: Cena could gradually transition between heel and baby face, with his character evolving over time. 

Ultimately, the success of Cena's heel run depends on how WWE continues to develop the story and how fans react to his new character. 

John Cena's career in WWE began as a baby face, a character often presented as a hero. He held that status for over 20 years until his recent heel turn at the 2025 WWE Elimination Chamber PLE. 

John Cena's career in WWE began as a baby face, a character often presented as a hero. He held that status for over 20 years until his recent heel turn at the 2025 WWE Elimination Chamber PLE. 

Here's a breakdown of his baby face run and recent turn:

  • Longest Babyface Run: Cena held the record for the longest continuous babyface run in WWE history, spanning 21 years, 3 months, and 23 days. 

  • Franchise Player: He led WWE as its franchise player and public face from the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s. 

  • Heel Turn: Cena shocked the WWE Universe by turning heel at Elimination Chamber 2025, aligning with The Rock. 

  • Fans' Reactions: The heel turn was a significant event, with some fans expressing surprise and excitement, while others wondered about the future of Cena's character. 

  • Potential Babyface Return: There's speculation that Cena might eventually return to being a babyface to preserve his GOAT legacy. 

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    Zoe Stark Responds: 

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    Harness broke in the rafters and Hart fell 78 feet to his death

    Owen James Hart, wrestling as the Blue Blazer, died 26 years ago on this date (May 23, 1999), during his entrance from the rafters of Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri. The equipment lowering him to the ring malfunctioned, and he fell to his death in front of a live audience and live on Pay Per View during WWF's Over the Edge event. Hart was 34 years old.

    Hart died from internal bleeding caused by a traumatic aortic rupture resulting from a high fall. During a wrestling event, he was supposed to be flown down to the ring on a harness, but a rigging malfunction caused him to fall 78 feet from the arena's ceiling to the ring. The fall caused severe blunt force trauma, leading to the rupture of his aorta and subsequent death. 

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    Top 25 male wrestlers 

    1. John Cena, WWE undisputed champion; 2. Seth Rollins, WWE; 3. Jon Moxley, AEW world heavyweight champion; 4. Roman Reigns, WWE; 5. Jey Uso, WWE world heavyweight champion; 6. CM Punk, WWE; 7. MJF, AEW; 8. Will Ospreay, AEW;  9. Hangman Adam Page, AEW; 10. Cody Rhodes, WWE; 11. Gunther, WWE; 12. Drew McIntyre, WWE; 13. Damien Priest, WWE; 14. Adam Cole, AEW; 15. Bron Breakker, WWE; 16. AJ Styles, WWE; 17. Jacob Fatu, WWE; 18. Konosuke Takeshita, AEW; 19. LA Knight, WWE; 20. 20. Joe Hendry, TNA world heavyweight champion; 21. Kenny Omega, AEW; 22. Adam Copeland, AEW; 23. Solo Sikoa, WWE; 24. Swerve Strickland, AEW; 25. Chris Jericho, AEW.

    Top 25 female wrestlers 

    1. Tiffany Stratton, WWE women's champion; 2. Toni Storm, AEW women's world champion; 3. Iyo Sky, WWE women's world champion; 4. Rhea Ripley, WWE; 5. Becky Lynch, WWE; 6. Mercedes Mone, AEW; 7. Charlotte Flair, WWE; 8. Bianca Belair, WWE; 9. Jade Cargill, WWE; 10. Liv Morgan, WWE; 11. Mariah May, AEW; 12. Nia Jax, WWE; 13. Alexa Bliss, WWE; 14. Lyla Valkyria, WWE; 15. Roxanne Perez, WWE; 16. Giulia, WWE; 17. Bayley, WWE; 18. Naomi, WWE; 19. Zelina Vega, WWE; 20. Raquel Rodriguez, WWE; 21. Mina Shirakawa, AEW; 22. Chelsea Green, WWE; 23. Michin, WWE; 24. Stephanie Vaquer, NXT women's champion; 25. Masha Slamovich, TNA Knockouts women's champion.

    Henry Frederick press card / Headline SurferAbout the Byline Writer: 

    Henry Frederick is an award-winning journalist who launched Headline Surfer in 2008. The site serves the greater Daytona Beach, Sanford, and Orlando areas via HeadlineSurfer.com in Lake Mary, Florida. Frederick earned his Master of Arts in New Media Journalism from Full Sail University in Orlando. He was a breaking news reporter (metro cops & courts beat) for the Daytona Beach News-Journal for nearly a decade, and before that, the same beat with The Journal-News/Gannett Suburban Newspapers in Rockland/Westchester counties, NY, dating back to 1989. Having witnessed the execution of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Florida's death chamber and covering other high-profile cases, Frederick has appeared on national crime documentary shows on Discovery ID, Reelz, and the Oxygen Network series "Snapped" for his analysis. Assisting Henry Frederick with Headline Surfer is Sera King, who writes sports and feature stories, takes photos, and shoots video. •  Bio: https://henryfrederick.com/.