John Cena discusses past aborted plans for a WWE heel turn

John Cena recently detailed his experiences regarding WWE heel turn plans at a FanX Comic Conventions appearance. During his career, Cena was once slated for a heel transition leading up to his match against Dwayne Johnson in Miami, a change that Vince McMahon ultimately canceled four weeks before implementation. To prepare for that specific shift, Cena commissioned new ring gear, recorded theme music, and secured the trademark for the phrase "Fear My Name." A separate heel turn later occurred in 2025 in Toronto, an idea attributed to Triple H that was approved on short notice. Cena noted that he maintains a habit of thorough preparation whenever he receives word that a character shift might be imminent.

• 5:00 PMWrestling Inc — John Cena Recalls Vince McMahon Nearly Turning Him Heel In WWE