WWE superstar John Cena is currently making headlines after ‘turning heel’ during his last match at the WWE Elimination Chamber 2025, find out more about the term and its meaning in wrestling below
Turning heel is one of the most jaw-dropping moments for any professional wrestler and their fans and it is proving the same in Cena’s case
‘Turning heel’ meaning in wrestling explained as wrestler John Cena tuned heel during WWE Elimination Chamber 2025
I am blown away right now. This changes everything. Triple Paul wasn’t lying when he said this would be industry changing tonight.
After all these years. John Cena has finally turned heel. Absolutely incredible.#WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/H4UUyCmUcN
— AUTHORS OF WRESTLING (@authofwrestling) March 2, 2025
John Cena just went Heel, for the first time ever, after kicking Cody Rhodes in the balls.
His fans have officially grown up.#WWEChamberpic.twitter.com/c6jGF1Rk8W
— Rick O'Shea (@RickOShea54321) March 2, 2025
Following the new shift, John Cena now faces a completely flipped script, leaving his longtime viewers and fans in shock.
Meaning behind “turning heel” explained
“Turning heel” is a very popular term in professional wrestling and refers to when a good guy, known as a “face,” becomes a villain. A heel usually serves as an antagonist, drawing boos and heat from the crowd and getting a reaction. Heels resort to cheating to win, using weapons, and cutting vicious promos to rile up the audience.
Some heels play cowardly roles, dodging challenges, while others dominate ruthlessly. Heels may often beg for mercy after brutal beatdowns or simply show arrogance, making it even sweeter for the hero’s eventual victory. The main goal of a heel’s actions is to make the audience despise them. As such, ‘turning heel’ refers to the act of a wrestler going against his character and resorting to dirty tricks.
John Cena stuns everyone with heel turn at WWE Elimination Chamber 2025
Just recently, famous professional wrestler John Cena stunned all his fans and viewers when he resorted to turning heel. Cena, who is currently on his retirement tour since July 2024, entered the 2025 Royal Rumble and put up a strong fight before Jey Uso eventually eliminated him. However, Cena shocked fans on March 1 at the WWE Elimination Chamber after winning it and securing a WrestleMania 41 title shot.
Following the win, fans were expecting a feel-good moment when Cena instead resorted to turning heel by aligning with The Rock, aka “The Final Boss,” and attacked undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. John Cena has maintained his image as the WWE’s ultimate good guy with a clean-cut image and “Never Give Up” mantra over the years. However, his recent ruthless transformation will add a new and fresh, unpredictable twist to his farewell tour. Cena’s decision to turn heel now allows him to explore a new side of his character.