In March at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, John Cena surprised the wrestling audience by turning heel again, the first time since 2003. Not only has he betrayed Cody Rhodes but has also partnered with The Rock and even brought Travis Scott on board as an ally. It was not a nostalgic retro move, but rather a bold chance that Cena had not taken in years, which was going to completely alter the way people felt about everything and change the fate of WWE's endgame.
What this actually means is that he is in the long run game. He is not simply going dark in an attempt to be dramatic, he is doing this heel turn to build Cody, make WrestleMania more important and get headlines as his retirement tour continues.
Two Legends Teeter on Heel Edge
The thing is, Cena is not the only old timer whose heel blueprint is getting some eyes. ITR Wrestling reports that even Matt Hardy recently confessed that he and Jeff have considered the possibility of becoming a heels as well. He compared the possibilities of their change with Cena saying that the real challenge is going dark after people love them, but he thinks that even such a heel turn would only make them even more popular as a baby face.
Other legends are reportedly interested in Cena heel playbook besides the Hardys. Others believe that the modest arrogance, the more cutting promos, and the unpredictable alliances establish a new tone even for long-time stars. The example of Cena shows that it is possible to turn the tables in mid-career and still be able to control the crowd, without losing their respect.
After all, it all boils down to the fact that WWE is embracing shocks by its biggest stars. Cena is now a heel, and this is not a nostalgia trip, but a strategic mix-up. and when guys like the Hardys tell you that they would be willing to turn heel also? That says a lot about the effectiveness of the shift. There will be more surprises not only in the new characters constructed, but also in the old ones who are ready to change their history.