John Cena Shares Honest Thoughts On WWE Heel Run

John Cena has shared his honest thoughts about turning heel for the first time in his WWE career earlier this year.

Between WWE Elimination Chamber in March and the August 1 episode of SmackDown, John Cena worked as a heel, during some of his final dates with the company.

Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the soon-to-be-retired WWE star reflected on his heel run.

Cena would address the reaction to the heel run, discussing how those criticizing it possibly had a different vision of what it was supposed to be, saying:

“What I like is that people are talking about it. The cool thing is, people who are critical of it, apparently had some idea in their head about what they wanted, which is great, because that means you’re attached.

“That means you care, I enjoy that, and I hear that criticism.”

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Cena would then provide insight into the logistics of the heel turn program with limited dates on his schedule, explaining:

“When we did it, we did it as a big moment, but with a purpose. ‘Hey, this is going to ignite something with you and Cody (Rhodes), it is going to start in February and end in August. Because you only have 36 broadcasts and Intuit and Rumble are gone, now we’re down to 34, and then we need some on the back-end with you actually being a good guy, so let’s take it down to 24.

“‘We kind of have to tell a story that should be two years long, 52 weeks a year, plus 14 to 18 PLES. We got to do it in like 20 episodes of television.’ It took my focus on Cody, on the championship and on frustrations that I’ve had, it all comes from a genuine place, things I could say.

“I’m so happy to say that I wouldn’t re-tread the course, because I gave it everything I had. My poor wife, I’d wake up in the middle of the night, writing promo lines and thinking about spots. The opponents I had were great, but I remember everyone talking in February and being like, ‘Yes, this is a good plan.'”

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Looking back at the heel turn, The Miz previously stated he felt it created “intrigue and interest“.

Cena’s final match will see him face GUNTHER at the December 13 episode of WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event.

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