One of the most long-anticipated angles in wrestling history occurred at WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 when longtime turning heel and attacking Cody Rhodes, the Leader of Cenation revealed that he would do anything to secure his place in history as the most decorated world champion ever. Even if that meant selling his soul to his longtime nemesis, The Rock. For the first time since he rose to prominence in the early 2000s, WWE's superhero is now a villain.
While many fans are lamenting the fact that Cena probably should have turned to the dark side years ago, there's no doubt this twist has the pro wrestling world talking. Within the confines of the WWE Universe, WrestleMania 41 just got a little more 'rocky'. The Final Boss and his hand-picked champion will - no doubt - make Rhodes's life miserable as we get closer to their showdown in Las Vegas on April 20.
With this titanic turn of events, there's only one possible outcome that should happen at 'Mania. Even Cody Rhodes can see the inevitable: history is coming down the tracks like a runaway train, and its name is John Cena.
The Unbelievable Happened at the Elimination Chamber
The Rock Made the Impossible Occur in WWE
After weeks of hinting that Cody Rhodes would take the bait and become a hired stooge for 'The Most Electrifying Man in All of Entertainment', the current WWE Champion gave him an emphatic (and graphic) 'no' after the Elimination Chamber. As the crowd cheered Cody for refusing to give his soul away, Cena clapped and celebrated with them.
In what appeared to be a sign of mutual respect, Cena then embraced Rhodes in what looked to be a show of true sportsmanship. It was an indication that 'Big Match John' wanted to do things the right way in what would be his final WrestleMania ever. But what happened next shook the world and broke the hearts of every kid who grew up a John Cena fan.
John Cena Just Turned Heel: Here Is What It Means For His Farewell Tour
The John Cena retirement tour just took an unexpected but incredible new direction and set the table for multiple new avenues to tell this story.
The instant turn set social media on fire, and images of Cena leaving the reigning champion bloody were featured all over mainstream TV and websites. While it may not be the biggest heel turn ever, seeing the Doctor of Thuganomics standing over a wounded and bleeding Rhodes is a lasting image. It's certainly not a snapshot that WWE is going to waste.
Cena Will Make History at WrestleMania 41
There Should be No Doubt That Cena will Dethrone Cody Rhodes
Make no mistake, the powers that be in WWE would not have made this decision if they didn't think there would be a huge payoff to the entire angle. This is a side of Cena that fans have never seen before, and that's what makes the story so intriguing. Will selling his soul to The Rock be the blueprint for a 17th world championship? Can he conquer Cody and cash out with the WWE title in Sin City?
The smart money says yes, and it doesn't take the luck of the draw to come up with the answer. 'Dark Cena' is a phenomenon that WWE never chose to unleash before, and they damn sure aren't going to waste a move like this just to see one of the most iconic figures fail. The logical booking says that Cena should defeat Cody by whatever nefarious means possible. Otherwise, this entire, massive turn was done for absolutely no reason.
John Cena Will Turn Babyface Again Before Retiring
A Predictable Yet Exciting Conclusion
That's not to say that Cena won't go back to begin a babyface before he eventually retires at the end of the year. He will surely get some kind of 'goodwill tour' as he leaves the squared circle behind him for good. The most likely scenario is that, after WrestleMania 41, Cena will embark on a "redemption story" that will culminate in him seeing the light again, perhaps even by giving the Rock the beating he deserves. But in the meantime, the promotion MUST ride out this angle for all it's worth. It's a once-in-a-lifetime storyline that features a generational star, a pop culture icon, and a WWE legend.
That's why John Cena will defeat Cody and capture his elusive 17th World Championship at WrestleMania. When the lights go down in Vegas, he will have all the cards up his sleeve, and the only possible conclusion is that he comes up with all the aces.
