At WWE Elimination Chamber on March 2, John Cena turned heel by attacking Cody Rhodes after defeating CM Punk to secure a spot in WrestleMania 41. This surprise move, planned weeks in advance, shocked fans and officials alike. The Rock had recently urged Rhodes to become a “Corporate Champion,” to which Rhodes responded defiantly. Cena’s heel turn, announced after 20 years as a hero, was further highlighted by rapper Travis Scott, who also attacked Rhodes. Triple H revealed that very few WWE officials were aware of the heel turn, underscoring its unexpected nature during the event.
The Rock (L) and John Cena© X (Twitter)
John Cena turned against Cody Rhodes during the WWE Elimination Chamber on March 2, and reports suggest that WWE had been planning this moment for weeks. Cena participated in a six-man Elimination Chamber match, where he ultimately defeated CM Punk to secure his position for WrestleMania 41. He is set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41, and The Rock recently urged Cody to take on the role of a ‘Corporate Champion,’ demanding an answer by the time of the Elimination Chamber.
After the Men’s Elimination Chamber match, Cody Rhodes reacted to The Rock’s demand by defiantly saying, “Go f**k yourself.” While the audience chanted “Cody, Cody,” John Cena appeared to be thrilled by the response and embraced Cody, showcasing that he remained true to himself and didn’t ‘sell his soul’ to The Rock.
While Cena was congratulating Cody, he glanced at The Final Boss, who signaled a throat-cutting gesture. Cena then aligned with The Rock, delivering a kick to Rhodes that left him down on the mat. This marked Cena’s transformation into a heel after two decades of portraying the “Hero” of WWE. Travis Scott, a well-known rapper and songwriter supporting The Rock, was also present and slapped Cody Rhodes harshly while he lay on the ground.
How WWE Planned John Cena’s Heel Turn at the Elimination Chamber
The heel turn of John Cena was reportedly planned weeks ahead and was originally slated for the third act of the event, but it was shifted to occur after the Men’s Elimination Chamber match. Just a day before the Elimination Chamber event, rumors circulated that the storyline might have changed with Drew McIntyre being positioned as a potential winner of the Men’s Elimination Chamber. The announcement of John Cena’s iconic heel turn left fans in disbelief, and WWE officials were similarly shocked.
Following the event, Triple H, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, noted that very few officials were aware of Cena’s heel turn, and he was more involved in the segment than the production crew.
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