Report: John Cena To Turn Heel Upon Return?

[That N Word]

Forbes has published a story claiming that WWE officials have been discussing the possibility of turning John Cena heel; more seriously than they have in the past.

Their report claims that his role within the company isn’t as strong is it once was when he was wrestling full-time. The belief is that if they turn Cena heel now, WWE would be able to utilize him more by helping the next generation of top babyfaces get over.

Another reason that they would turn him would be a potential boost in ratings; as they feel the audience may tune in more because a Cena heel turn is something that has yet to be done. The idea is that Cena will return from his hiatus and later enter into a feud with The Undertaker to culminate at Wrestlemania 33. That could be a perfect scenario for a Cena heel turn.

It seems like WWE is finally taking head to the good of a Cena Heel Turn that the vast majority of us been saying for years. I do feel it would be more effective without the brand split or on Raw. Because I'm not sure Ambrose can carry SmackDown as The Guy. Whereas Raw has three Franchise Players in Seth Rollins,Finn Balor,and Roman Reigns. If this happens and Cena also beats Flair's record in my eyes (I may be in the minority) Cena would officialy be The Greatest WWE Superstar of all time.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

I've never understood not turning Cena heel."Why Cena!!!?" Shirts for the kids would sell like hot cakes and there would be renewed interest in him as a heel and when he returns to being a face.

 

[Dave]

I really hope this happens. I'd love to see Cena as a heel, simply because it's something that we haven't seen before. People talk about Cena being amongst the very greatest that the sport has ever made. But the fact remains that he's been very stale for a very long time. Is it his fault? No way. He's just a rather large cog in the WWE machine. If the WWE believe that turning him heel is going to make people more interested in watching, then I tend to agree. I know I'd be up for seeing that.

 

[ztwhite]

Truly, would the fan reaction really be all that different? He's already hated (vocally), at least in theory, by a majority of people over the age of 16 and he's beloved by people who go to bed when the street lights come on. It's really six or one half dozen of the other.

Does he need a makeover? Absolutely. But does that makeover mean he has to go full on heel? Not necessarily.

It's the wrestling business, and like it or not, characters fade and diminish. There have really only been a couple of guys whose gimmick never got old... Stone Cold, The Rock, and Undertaker (even though there were the years of the American Bad Ass) are a few that come to mind.

But I've yet to see a credible reason why turning him heel would make a difference. Hulk Hogan had a reason named the NWO and it was brilliant. But unless the WWE comes up with a similar type of angle or storyline, having him put on black cargo shorts and talk shit about babyface wrestlers isn't exactly revolutionary.

 

[Navi]

Truly, would the fan reaction really be all that different? He's already hated (vocally), at least in theory, by a majority of people over the age of 16 and he's beloved by people who go to bed when the street lights come on. It's really six or one half dozen of the other.

Does he need a makeover? Absolutely. But does that makeover mean he has to go full on heel? Not necessarily.

It's the wrestling business, and like it or not, characters fade and diminish. There have really only been a couple of guys who gimmick never got old... Stone Cold, The Rock, and Undertaker (even though there were the years of the American Bad Ass) are a few that come to mind.

But I've yet to see a credible reason why turning him heel would make a difference. Hulk Hogan had a reason named the NWO and it was brilliant. But unless the WWE comes up with a similar type of angle or storyline, having him put on black cargo shorts and talk shit about babyface wrestlers isn't exactly revolutionary.

This and then some.

Cena has made a career out of Hustle, Loyalty and Respect, and still half the crowd boo him. Or do they really? When he goes away for awhile, he's welcomed back with open arms. They forget to boo him for a couple of shows and then it starts up again.

Yes his act is stale but it works and why fix what isn't broken. Sorry but I don't get this idea of turning everyone except Daniel Bryan and Dolph Ziggler heels. Does it really make any difference at all, as the only thing that would happen is the people cheering him now would boo, and the ones booing would cheer. You'd have the same dynamic that's already in place.

The only ones who want Cena to turn heel are the IWC, not the kids in the audience dragging mom and dad to the shows and spending a fortune on merchandise. Ambrose, Styles and Orton can carry SD, Balor, Rollins and Reigns will do fine on RAW. Turning Cena heel just to please the IWC is just plain silly. He is already one of the greatest in the ring, a heel turn will not change that.

 

[HORRORHOLIC]

There are lots of reasons for him to turn heel. The storyline could be how he's not able to get the job done the way he used to be, and after years and years of busting his ass, the fans disrespecting him finally got to him. His character has become extremely boring and it's long overdue.

 

[rmp0012002]

If he was still full time they would never turn him but since he is slowing down and has projects outside wrestling it can be done now without killing his career. They can turn him face if needed if it doesn't go well.

 

[thekooljt]

Turning Cena heel at this point (or down the line) would be very tricky because the RIGHT wrestler has to be paired with John Cena to make his pending transition extremely believable. Using The Undertaker to turn Cena heel would be a bad idea because the Undertaker and Cena can have a successful Wrestlemania match without Cena really turning heel mainly because the fans are going to chose who they want to cheer for. Believe it or not, in my opinion, the key to successfully turning Cena heel and fans of all ages believing it lies with Daniel Bryant.

 

[rmp0012002]

Turning Cena heel at this point (or down the line) would be very tricky because the RIGHT wrestler has to be paired with John Cena to make his pending transition extremely believable. Using The Undertaker to turn Cena heel would be a bad idea because the Undertaker and Cena can have a successful Wrestlemania match without Cena really turning heel mainly because the fans are going to chose who they want to cheer for. Believe it or not, in my opinion, the key to successfully turning Cena heel and fans of all ages believing it lies with Daniel Bryant.

I agree as it has to be done with someone like Bryan that the fans really love. If you're going to take the huge chance on turning Cena heel and all the possible downsides it has to be done really well or fans will just keep booing him just to boo like they do now and it means nothing.

 

[Psykohurricane55]

Look where this report came from, really at this point in the game, it doesn't make sense to turn him heel. The guy is a the point in his career were he's more a special attraction then an actual full time performer. Plus cena will never want to turn heel since he's wouldn't want to drop all the other extra curicular activities that he love to do like the make a wish stuff.

in the end, this report is mostly rumors to get the handful of fans that are still hanging on to their dream of seeing cena turns heel talking about it.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

I feel like heel-Cena is pretty unlikely right now. His outside work in hosting makes it hard to see him going heel. Not to mention I assume he still does a lot of charity. I think it would be good for WWE business or at least ratings but not Cena's business.

But who knows. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[BigDaddyKewl]

I still hope that they do turn him heel sometime in the next few years before he hangs up his boots for good. It was the early work when he started the rapper gimmick as the "Doctor of Thuganomics" in early 2000s that got him over as a heel and made him a big star. They could tie this into his current storyline where he's starting to doubt himself and eventually snaps and finally starts to bash the fans for all the disrespect they have shown over the years after all his hard work and dedication to the WWE.
I like the idea of using Daniel Bryan to get heat on Cena. It's well known that they are friends behind the scenes and they are practically family since Bryan married into The Bella family. When they eventually write Bryan off of TV they could have Cena whine and complain about his spot to the GM Bryan. Then have Cena snap and attack Bryan and slap on the STF and injure Bryan's already bad neck. If he does feud with the Taker heading then there will be of plenty scenarios they could do to have him finally turn.

 

[American Male]

I'd still love to see it happen but I don't think it's as necessary or interesting as it would of been 3 or 4 years ago during the high of Daniel Bryans popularity.

Daniel Bryan used to be a very strong second to John Cena and could of been the new face of WWE. John Cena turning heel on Daniel Bryan would of been epic and would of set Daniel Bryan up as the new top babyface.

Ryback also could of been the new top babyface if John Cena turned heel

But now that both of them are no longer active members of the roster I don't see anybody else that could be the next top guy. No one else seems to have the same connection with the audience as they did.

 

[CrunKSinatrA]

The only problem with a John Cena heel turn is that the older audience will probably start to cheer him.

John Cena will go from a babyface that gets booed to a heel that gets cheered.

Maybe the WWE should plan ahead and make him like a Jaime Lannister type of heel. Where he's a dishonorable guy that secretly does honorable things.

Jaime Lannister has crippled children, forsaken solemn vows, and screws his sister, but he's still some how likeable.

Jaime does dishonorable things for honorable reasons. He killed the king to save millions and prevented the deaths of thousands from a prolonged siege against the Blackfish.

Most of the despicable things that Jaime does, Jaime does out of love for Cersei. Yes, it's his sister but he's sincerely in love w/ her.

How this relates to John Cena is that he should turn heel for Nikki Bella. If he turns heel for love, all of his Make A Wish Foundation work won't be tossed aside.

She could be a heel valet with John Cena as her attack dog.

She could be like a new Sunny, when Sunny was dead center of the Tag Team Championship scene when she managed the Bodydonnas, Smoking Gunns, Godwinns, and Legion of Doom.

 

[Garak]

I've never understood not turning Cena heel."Why Cena!!!?" Shirts for the kids would sell like hot cakes and there would be renewed interest in him as a heel and when he returns to being a face.

Cena's shirts for the kids already do sell like hotcakes, and if sales wane, they simply change the design, and then the kiddies beg mom and dad for the new design.

 

[TDFG]

Turning Cena heel depends on the schedule for his return, if he's coming back to WWE after this break for a more permanent run then a heel run might just give Cena a new lease of life.

A heel Cena v face Undertaker at WrestleMania sells a bit more, and now that the streak has gone, this could be a big win for Cena, even at this stage in his career.

The heel run for however long it lasts would also set up the inevitable face turn which would probably take him into his retirement/part-time performer.

The other thing as well is looking at Smackdown's roster, does he turn on Styles?, Ambrose?, he was in a feud with these guys.

Maybe a new attitude Cena pairing up with the recently turned Uso's is an option.

 

[enviousdominous]

For those wanting to read the Forbes article mentioned by the OP, here it is.

I've been pretty vocal before about how a heel turn wouldn't make much sense, but times and opinions have changed. John Cena, while playing a good guy, has entered into a long running storyline where he's just not winning the big matches anymore. We all know his history, and we know that not winning matches can work storyline-wise in terms of pushing his sanity over the edge.

I'm not exactly sure how this would be received. To put it mildly, the fans are really fucking weird these days. I have a strong sense that if John comes out there in bad guy mode, the crowd will pop bigger than they ever have for him and there won't be anymore "CENA SUCKS" chants. I think it'll go the same route as the Hollywood Hogan thing where it ends up being more endearing than was ever intended, and he's forced to play a bad guy for the next fifteen years due to the amount of tickets it will sell.

 

[Deoxyribonucleic A.C.I.D.]

CM Punk was against the idea of turning heel in 2012 because his shirts were selling like hell and I remember him saying that his T-shirt sales dropped after his heel turn. Maybe that's why WWE was afraid to turn Cena heel.

Plus, Cena wears all these colorful shit. A heel John Cena can't possibly keep dressing the same way. So there's a big shift in his merch there and who knows if the new merch will sell.

I know many people will bring up the NWO angle and their merch, but let's be realistic here. a) Cena is no Hogan and b) NWO was original. It was creative and something fans have not seen before. Can a Cena heel turn be original? Will WWE push diferrent boundaries than before? I doubt it.

So unless something new happens, Cena's turn will be a failure and something that is not needed.

In addition, when a top star turns heel, he needs time at the top, in order for the turn to seem legit. Which means heel Cena = mein eventer Cena = 16th and 17th title reigns possibly. Cena will be for at least a year at the top of the card in order to draw heat and momentum and then use that momentum to elevate a babyface.

All of these scenarios must be taken into play here.

So unless WWE is willing to
a) push new boundaries with a Cena heel turn
b) keep heel Cena at the top for a long period of time
c) make Cena champion, also taking into consideration his part-time schedule
d) finally have Cena lose clean to the next big thing at WRESTLEMANIA

His turn won't work and I don't want to see a phonied John Cena heel turn.

 

[shafe_41]

Hey... with ratings at record lows, why the hell not? I'm never a person that loves change for the sake of change... but it's something you have to explore. Even if it fails, they at least tried.

My only problem I can see that's glaring is who does he feud with? Maybe Ambrose because of how damn stale Ambrose is? Then you're down to Orton which we've seen enough of, and Bray who I guess at some point could go face and a heel Cena could just be the guy to get Wyatt over that hump. But who knows. The groundwork is there. Cena is losing big matches. He's not ESSENTIAL to programming every single week although the roster is undoubtedly stronger with him in it. But a heel Cena/face Taker at Mania would certainly be intriguing.

 

[Fire Marshall Bill]

Hey... with ratings at record lows, why the hell not?

Merch sales is a big reason. I don't know any specific numbers, but they would need to be able to counteract the likely dip in Cena's with someone else. Maybe there is someone, but without the numbers, it's certainly a consideration.

My only problem I can see that's glaring is who does he feud with?

This is a major concern, as you and others have already brought up. The only people I could see taking Cena's long term place at or around the top spot are on Raw. However, there is the possibility that he turns heel on Undertaker at WM33, gets drafted to Raw when next year's draft comes around, and then puts over someone like Rollins, Reigns or Balor. Zayn I feel could be pushed to that level, but it would take a couple years at least.

 

[The Yes Guy]

Turning him heel right now would be the best time to do it.

I mean, start planting the seeds for the turn from right now.

They have a great storyline going on right now with him searching for that illustrious 16th title. Have him fail. This pressure takes a toll of him and then Cena snaps.
They also have this Taker feud planned which would work like charm if Cena turns heel about now.

They missed a great chance during his feud with Rock.

 

[hatehabsforever]

If I have said it once, I've said it a thousand times. Turning John Cena into a full blown heel is the final piece in terms of cementing the legacy of John Cena as one of the best, if not the best, of all time in World Wrestling Entertainment. Look at pretty much all of the historical greats, and they have had significant periods of time as both baby face and heel. They have displayed the versatility to able to be relevant and effective and significant on both sides of the fence. Sure Cena was a heel (sort of) early in his career but ever since, he has been unidimensional. Not that there is anything wrong with that, as he has had a career that anyone would and should be very proud of. But it's time for a display of versatility, of character development, of shock value.

Don't talk to me about merchandise sales. A heel John Cena will move truck loads of stuff. Don't talk to me about appearances in non-WWE roles. Heels and faces do stuff like this all the time. The Miz makes plenty of outside appearances. So did Randy Orton when he was heel. Guys can come somewhat out of character in the short term for the right reason, so that is a non issue.

It doesn't have to be a long lasting heel turn. Once he sees the error of his ways, he can make his triumphant return to super Cena, and that will be epic too. Think of the merchandise sales. Think of the main stream appeal. Think of the cheers he will receive. And of course the chorus of boos too.

People talk like a heel Cena suggestion is nothing short of blasphemy. And it's not. It will be epic, and is truly one of the last dramatic things left to occur in professional wrestling. And just think of all the new faces he will soon have to feud with, once the Titanic eventually and mercifully sinks.

 

[Kyphael]

I get you, but I'm sorry, but a heel Cena, though cool to us loyal viewers, won't get anymore mainstream than usual. Mostly due to the fact that the fans that dug rapper Cena were essentially remnants of Attitude Era fans who have long moved on from pro wrestling. Someone like Cena who arguably, in their eyes, ruined WWE with his stagnant act that dragged on for YEARS and YEARS, are not going to come back in droves to watch John Cena play a Rated PG bad guy.

WWE drew the ratings it did in the Attitude Era due to shock, TV-14 TV as was the wild west-like nature of cable when it was most popular in the mid to late 90's, and because there was LEGITIMATE competition with Ted Turner's WCW trying to put Vince McMahon out of business. You had TWO multi-million dollar companies trying to out do one another on PRIME TIME just to entertain US, all the pieces were in place.

Cena beating up Apollo Crews, and nailing the Attitude Adjustment on a GM Daniel Bryan or what have you is not going to move the needle above the fixed loyal fan base they have. Ratings did spike this week due to Goldberg for RAW, and that's one of the most recognizable faces of the Attitude Era, 12 years removed from the spotlight. That's as good as it'll get with TV-PG and not another TRUE rival company trying to get your attention.

 

[ShinChan]

The only problem I have had is his unidirectional gimmick that has gotten stale and boring.

A heel turn is long overdue for Cena. Just like the return of Goldberg added some additional viewers, The heel turn of Cena would attract even more.

Why? Because it hasn't been done until now.

Given Cena's talent, I know that he could be a great heel and thus possess a great legacy as a professional wrestler.

I hope that the report is true.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

There have been opportune times to turn Cena heel in the past, probably during his feud against the Rock may have been the biggest and best time to do it. However, the fact of the matter is that Cena is slowing down when it comes to his work inside the ring in WWE and, as a result, his profile as part of the product is naturally not going to be as high as it ordinarily would be. Cena does outside stuff, like filming the American Grit show, he's doing a good deal of commercials now as I've seen some of them for the Hefty trash bags and one in which he's the voice of an animated elephant interacting with real people though I can't remember what the product was. He had a brief but memorable and pretty damn funny part in the Amy Schumer movie Trainwreck, he's flying all over the place to help hype the WWE brand by hosting award shows, appearing on talk shows even more than he ever did before, he learned Chinese so that he could take part in WWE's press conference upon the company signing the first wrestler from China, etc.

Cena turning heel is something that'd generate a lot of buzz and potential interest among viewers. At the same time, WWE has gone to such great lengths to protect and develop Cena as sort of the ultimately good guy that it's hard to imagine doing anything that'd really tarnish that legacy. When Lesnar completely decimated John Cena at SummerSlam in 2014, Vince immediately regretted that decision and went overboard in building Cena back up because he reportedly grew paranoid that fans would "stop believing" in Cena as this ultimate good guy.

Over the past several years, we've seen an overall much more serious aspect of Cena's persona. It's been forever since he tried to be all happy go lucky, joking around during the build up of his programs and just generally behaving as though his opponent is no real threat to him. I think this really started during the build to his 2nd WrestleMania match with the Rock, which I enjoyed a whole lot more personally because they didn't spend all the time flinging one liner insults at each other and generally acting like a couple of untouchable 16 year old high school brats. I can see WWE going further with that, going darker with Cena and using Cena's less than dominant performance in 2016, which has been brought up on commentary during the build for some of his matches involving Styles and Ambrose, as sort of the catalyst for it without turning full blown heel. Cena comes to realize that if he genuinely wants to tie Flair's record, he's definitely going to have to get serious and go against some of the principles he's endlessly preached about for over a decade.