The Best Heel Turn of All-Time, and It's Not Close

·1 hr 30 min·5 clips

After 7,786 days as a hero, John Cena sold out to The Rock in a turn 22 years in the making.

The episode opens with Gregory Iron announcing the focus: John Cena's heel turn at Elimination Chamber on March 1, 2025. He recounts the event's closing moments where Cena, after winning the chamber match, embraced Cody Rhodes only to kick him low and join The Rock. Iron describes watching live with podcast superstar Jerry, detailing his visceral shock and comparing it to the betrayal felt at Bash at the Beach 1996. Aaron Bauer shares his similar disbelief, noting how the turn subverted expectations for Cena's farewell tour. They dissect the segment's details: Travis Scott's awkward sage-burning involvement, the uncensored "go fuck yourself" line from Cody, and the brutal belt whipping. The hosts read and react to Patreon and social media comments, with listeners offering takes on the turn's significance and comparing it to other shocking turns. They discuss Cena's brief prior heel run as the 'Doctor of Thuganomics' in 2002-2003. A key insight emerges from a referenced CVV interview, revealing Cena had a full heel persona—new gear, music—planned for 2012, but Vince McMahon vetoed it. The conversation shifts to ranking historic heel turns, debating whether Cena's surpasses Hulk Hogan's nWo turn or Steve Austin's WrestleMania X-Seven turn, which they criticize for its lack of longevity. They speculate on Cena's future: potential dream matches against CM Punk or Randy Orton as a heel, the possibility of winning a 17th world title, and whether he'll turn face again before retiring. The episode concludes with broader reflections on era-defining turns like Andre the Giant's 1980s betrayal and Bruno Sammartino's loss, emphasizing how each generation has its shocking moment.

As heard by us

Gregory Iron reads John Cena's turn through The Rock's possible longer game.

John Cena's turn gives Iron-On Wrestling a clear center: how a longtime WWE champion's dramatic shift should be read while the consequences are still taking shape.

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Why you'd press play

You want John Cena's turn while it still feels strange, loud, and 22 years in the making.

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