WWE shocked fans earlier this year by pulling the trigger on a long-awaited heel turn for John Cenabut behind the scenes, there may have been no real story to back it up. The move was billed as a seismic shift, but its now being criticized as nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction to backstage reshuffling involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes.
On the July 12 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer called out WWEs decision-making, saying the company rushed Cenas turn without a real follow-up in place. He contrasted it with AEWs slow-burn storytelling, citing the emotional depth of Hangman Page and Swerve Stricklands recent sit-down segment.
Meltzer also claimed WWE pivoted to Cena because The Rock wanted to work with Cody Rhodes, but company leadership wasnt on board. That left Cena as a last-minute replacementwhat Meltzer called a booby prize.
Garrett Gonzales added that the heel turn felt like a small reboot that fizzled fast. Meltzer said fans were excited at first, but quickly realized the turn didnt lead anywhere.
John Cenas heel turn couldve been a once-in-a-generation storyline shiftbut instead, its starting to look like WWE played their biggest card with no idea what came next. What shouldve been a slow-burn masterpiece turned into a headline grab with zero payoff. If this is what they consider long-term storytelling, fans might be in for more swerves than substance.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
What do you thinkdid WWE completely drop the ball with John Cenas heel turn? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
