Ric Flair has publicly challenged John Cena regarding his pursuit of a record-breaking 17th World Championship. The WWE Hall of Famer posted his warning on social media following Cena’s shocking heel turn at Elimination Chamber.
The Nature Boy shared a clip of his emotional reaction from the 2017 Royal Rumble when Cena tied his 16-championship record. This moment marked a significant milestone in WWE history as Cena equaled Flair’s long-standing achievement.
Flair’s social media post directly addressed Cena with a clear message about the potential record-breaking championship reign.
@JohnCena Will Have To Go Through Me To Get To 17! Just Saying! WOOOOO!
Cena won the Elimination Chamber match on March 1st, earning a championship opportunity against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. The victory positioned him for the potential record-breaking achievement.
The 16-time champion stunned fans with an unexpected heel turn at Elimination Chamber when he attacked Rhodes and aligned himself with The Rock. This dramatic character shift came after decades as WWE’s preeminent babyface figure.
WWE officially recognizes both Flair and Cena as tied with 16 World Championship reigns apiece. This shared record has stood since 2017 when Cena defeated AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble event.
Flair’s challenge adds another dimension to Cena’s WrestleMania storyline as he pursues what would be his first championship reign since 2017.
Following his alignment with The Rock, Cena is scheduled to appear on the March 17th episode of Raw where he will likely address his motivations and respond to critics.
.@JohnCena Will Have To Go Through Me To Get To 17! Just Saying! WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/qmFLaOj4Bi
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) March 6, 2025