Published: Nov 25, 2025 by Dave Adamson | Last Updated: Nov 25, 2025 by Dave Adamson
Dave has been a website writer for WrestleTalk since October 2022, having previously written for Den of Geek, among a number of wrestling, movie and television-related sites. Dave has been around the independent wrestling scene for more than a decade, including behind-the-scenes.
WWE
A former WWE star has revealed that John Cena was one of the architects behind their face turn back in 2015.
In 2015, John Cena was feuding with Rusev, with the WWE United States Championship being a part of their storyline.
Lana, as the manager of Rusev, would find herself in the forefront of fan reactions as they began to chant for her.
During a recent appearance on TMZ Inside the Ring, the real-life CJ Perry would reveal how that story came together and the part that John Cena played.
Perry would reveal that Cena was instrumental in the story, with different versions being worked upon, saying:
“The whole spot when we did the “We Want Lana” and I turned babyface, that was all John. It was all John’s idea.
“We tried different versions of it, and it didn’t work at first, and he was like “Okay, this isn’t it”, and comes back with a new idea. That’s what set the whole babyface turn.
“He really taught that. He taught us, like, calculated risk. You have to have calculated risk. You’re never going to be the greatest in this company if you don’t take calculated risk.”
If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
Cena would defeat Rusev for the WWE United States Championship at WrestleMania 31 in March 2015, with the “Bulgarian Brute” entering in a tank.
With Rusev now back in WWE, Perry would also reveal her emotional response after being offered a Legends deal earlier this year.
She would also tease the possibility of an on-screen reunion with Rusev and a potential return to a wrestling role.
Cena will next be in action at Survivor Series WarGames, defending his WWE Intercontinental Championship against Dominik Mysterio on November 29.
If you use this transcription or any portion of it, please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.
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