John Cena shocked the wrestling world by turning heel at WWE Elimination Chamber for the first time in two decades. The 16-time World Champion won the Men’s Elimination Chamber Match before attacking his WrestleMania 41 opponent Cody Rhodes alongside The Rock and rapper Travis Scott.
Matt Hardy addressed the possible motivation behind Cena’s character change during an episode of his Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast. The wrestling legend shared his theory regarding why Cena chose this direction during what appears to be his retirement year.
I think for his final year, if it does legitimately end up being his final year, which it seems like it’s going to be, I feel like he would want to work as hard as possible, he would want to make it as memorable [as possible], he would want to supply wrestling fans with indelible memories, and I think turning heel would be something that he would totally have on the plate already. I think that would be one of his ideas as a way to go, to do something different and fresh that he’s never done.
Cena will challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41 on April 19-20. If he wins, the veteran superstar will become a record-breaking 17-time World Champion.