For months, John Cena has embraced the role of a villain in WWE, but the facade appears to be cracking. After the July 18th episode of SmackDown went off the air, fan-shot videos captured the Undisputed WWE Champion becoming visibly emotional as the San Antonio crowd chanted “Thank you, Cena.” Scroll down to see the video. This moment, coupled with a series of recent on-screen hesitations and displays of regret, has fueled speculation that Cena’s polarizing heel run is nearing its end, with a potential return to his heroic “babyface” persona as soon as the upcoming SummerSlam event.
A Polarizing Reign Built on a Shaky Foundation
The shocking turn, which saw Cena align with the corporate-backed figure of The Rock at the Elimination Chamber event in March, was initially compared to Hulk Hogan’s industry-defining heel turn in 1996. Cena “sold his soul” to capture a historic 17th world championship from Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, embarking on a retirement tour as the company’s top villain.
However, the storyline has been met with widespread criticism. Cena’s stated motivation—blaming the fans for not appreciating him—was seen as illogical and outdated, especially since audiences had been cheering him enthusiastically prior to the turn. The narrative has also suffered from the conspicuous absence of The Rock, who was the catalyst for the turn but has not appeared since, leaving Cena’s villainous alliance feeling directionless.
The Unbreakable Bond: An Audience’s Refusal to Boo
A peculiar dynamic has defined this era: the audience refuses to boo him. Despite cheating to win and verbally berating fans, Cena is consistently met with chants of “Thank you, Cena.” This reaction stems from a wave of nostalgia and appreciation for his two-decade career, with his retirement looming. By refusing to boo, fans are also implicitly rejecting a storyline many find inauthentic. This audience response seems to be directly affecting the character, leading to visible moments of conflict and remorse.
Look at this man John Cena after the show and ended last night
HES SLOWLY TURNING BACK INTO THE GOOD GUY WE KNOW ❤️
(Via @YLIAfan) pic.twitter.com/AbrliSM3Zk
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) July 19, 2025
A Chronicle of Conscience: The Evidence for a Turn
The evidence for an impending character shift has been mounting for months.
The SummerSlam Crossroads: A Collision with Cody Rhodes
The storyline is set to culminate at SummerSlam, where Cena will face Cody Rhodes in a Street Fight for the Undisputed WWE Championship. The build-up has featured a clear role reversal. During their contract signing, Cena played the part of a cowardly heel trying to back out of the match, while Rhodes displayed a new level of aggression, physically attacking Cena and forcing him to sign the contract.
This dynamic is amplified by backstage reports suggesting that Rhodes was The Rock’s original choice for the heel role but refused the turn, a decision supported by WWE management. With Cena being the “second choice,” speculation is rampant that a “double turn” could occur at SummerSlam, with Cena returning to his babyface roots while Rhodes embraces his dark side. Rhodes’s recent aggressive tactics, including using an exposed turnbuckle to defeat his mentor Randy Orton, have only added fuel to this theory.
A Legacy on the Line
John Cena’s final run in WWE was meant to be a victory lap, but the heel turn has proven to be a creative misfire, largely undone by a fan base that refuses to abandon its hero. The SummerSlam showdown with Cody Rhodes now stands as a pivotal crossroads. Whether he is redeemed on his own or positioned as the hero against a newly corrupted Rhodes, the event will likely define the final chapter of Cena’s legacy and determine whether he is remembered as the villain he tried to be or the hero the fans never let him forget.
Is it time for John Cena to turn babyface? Click on the image below to discuss this on our Facebook page.
