WWE icon John Cena has candidly reflected on his much-discussed heel turn earlier this year, admitting that his very first promo as a villain “bombed” but emphasizing that failure is part of the journey. Speaking at Fan Expo Chicago 2025, Cena addressed the mixed crowd reactions and discussed what the experience taught him.
Cena’s heel turn stunned fans worldwide on the March 2025 episode of WWE Elimination Chamber, marking his first villainous character run after more than two decades as one of wrestling’s most beloved babyfaces. The switch was widely considered one of the most shocking moments in recent WWE history, drawing comparisons to landmark heel turns like the formation of the nWo in WCW. However, Cena revealed that the initial promo following his heel turn did not go as smoothly as planned.
“I wasn’t upset. No, I failed. Ain’t nothing wrong with that,” Cena said during the Q&A session at Fan Expo Chicago. “You can learn from failure, right? I went up there and bombed. S**t happens.” This raw admission highlighted Cena’s grounded perspective on navigating the highs and lows of his WWE career[1][2][3].
The promo in question took place shortly after Cena turned heel by attacking longtime ally Cody Rhodes, and aligning instead with WWE legend The Rock, in pursuit of his record-tying 17th world championship. Despite the shock value, fans in Europe and beyond reacted with a mixture of cheers and boos, with some finding it hard to fully accept Cena’s newfound villainous role. The Belgian crowd during one of Cena’s early heel appearances notably threw him both cheers and playful jeers, underscoring the challenging dynamics of a character shift for a figure so deeply entrenched as a hero[1].
When asked about the motivation behind turning heel, Cena remained intentionally vague, noting that he plans to reveal more about his thought process once he officially retires from in-ring competition. “I don’t want to spoil anything for the fans just yet,” Cena stated, maintaining an air of mystery around his ongoing WWE storyline[1][4].
Cena also reflected on how he has evolved over the years, stating, “I’ve changed a lot over the years. I’m not the same person I was yesterday.” This speaks to his ongoing growth both inside and outside the squared circle, including his crossover success as an actor in roles like Peacemaker. His candidness about failure represents a refreshing honesty in a wrestling industry often characterized by polished promo delivery and scripted confidence[2][4].
While Cena has since reverted back to his babyface persona ahead of a highly anticipated match against Logan Paul later this month, his heel run showed a willingness to step outside his comfort zone and try something new late in his career[1]. According to sources close to WWE, management was supportive of Cena’s experimentation with a villainous role, seeing it as a way to keep Cena’s character fresh and unpredictable during his farewell tour, which culminates with a final match scheduled for December 2025[4].
Fightful and other insider outlets have noted that WWE officials valued Cena’s openness about ‘bombing’ the promo because it reflects the authenticity Cena brings to the business – an acknowledgment that even the biggest stars have off nights and can learn from them[1][3]. WWE.com also praised Cena’s humility, emphasizing that his ability to accept failure gracefully sets a positive example for younger talent.
Cena’s acknowledgement that “s**t happens” when you’re venturing into new creative territory offers an important lesson to wrestling fans and performers alike: legendary status doesn’t grant immunity from mistakes. What matters most is how a performer rebounds, adapts, and ultimately grows stronger.
With Cena now back as a fan-favorite and focused on his upcoming bouts and retirement plans, the heel promo “bomb” is already transitioning into a memorable footnote in his remarkable career. As Cena himself put it, “You can learn from failure,” and WWE fans around the world eagerly await what lessons and surprises he has left to share before he steps away from the ring for good[1][2][4].
Sources: WWE.com, Fightful, Fan Expo Chicago 2025 Q&A, The Popverse, NoDQ, WrestleTalk, YouTube WWE Raw 3/17/2025