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What Is The 'John Cena Heel Turn'? The Reasons Behind Cena's Villain Arc And Possible WWE Farewell Tour Explained
John Cena's heel turn is making every World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) fan go nuts on social media the last few days, and it's not something that's easy to explain, as John Cena is a celebrity with dense and intricate lore (as well as his many memes), especially if you've followed his career as a professional wrestler since 2002.
John Cena has played an iconic "face" (i.e. heroic character in wrestling) role during his two decades run as a pro wrestler, but it all changed on March 1st, 2025, when he fulfilled the prophecy uttered in The Dark Knight's film "You Either Die A Hero, Or You Live Long Enough To See Yourself Become The Villain."
So what exactly is a "heel turn," why did Cena make this decision, and how is it being used in memes? Here’s what you need to know.
What’s A Heel Turn in WWE?
In the world of professional wrestling, a "heel turn" is a term used to describe when a character known as a "face" (the good guy or hero) switches sides to become a "heel" (the villain or bad guy).
This shift often includes a betrayal of allies and an alignment with former rivals or authority figures, creating dramatic tension and storylines that excite fans.
In June 2016, YouTuber Wrestling Informer posted a video explaining the differences between a heel and a babyface wrestler if you're unfamiliar with this wrestling trope.
Why Did John Cena Turn Heel?
On March 1st, 2025, during the WWE Elimination Chamber event, John Cena unexpectedly attacked his ally Cody Rhodes by delivering a low blow after celebrating his victory. This move was instigated by longtime rival The Rock, who suggested he embrace his heel side.
SPEECHLESS. 💔JOHN CENA just viciously TURNED on CODY RHODES at #WWEChamber! pic.twitter.com/jSyaCud7Wz
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2025
Cena's heel turn marks a significant departure from his longstanding role as a WWE protagonist, and news outlets suggest his villain arc is the beginning of his retirement tour, set to end in December 2025.
How is John Cena's Heel Turn Being Used As a Meme?
Since the heel turn in early March 2025, John Cena’s surprising act of betrayal has ignited thousands of memes and reactions on social media.
For instance, the moment when Cena hugs Cody Rhodes before delivering the low blow has been captured and transformed into an object-labeling meme in which text is added to the original image, such as one posted to Reddit about a drunk boyfriend thinking about doing something his girlfriend advised him not to.
Additionally, TikTokers have shared various edits and videos that incorporate Cena's heel turn, often juxtaposing dramatic captions with the footage.
For example, TikTok user @shaddow.vfx posted a video of Cena stepping on Rhodes' head, captioning it, "They done turned bro into Homelander."
@shaddow.vfx Homelander vs Superman 😭🙏 || John Cena Heel Turn || @WWE #wwe #johncena #therock #codyrhodes #eliminationchamber #wrestlemania #sportsentertainment #fyp ♬ original sound – qShadowv
For the full history of John Cena's Heel Turn, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.
