John Cena said he had planned to “ruin wrestling” as part of his heel run, including a set of moves designed to annoy the audience, but never got to use the material.
Speaking at a Fan Expo Canada Q&A, Cena said the turn at Elimination Chamber 2025 was difficult because of how little time he had left before retirement.
“To turn bad knowing that I don’t have enough time to turn good, you guys are the litmus test,” Cena said. “As genuine as it was and the roots that it had, I didn’t have enough time left. I think if I had three years to be a bad guy, you wouldn’t be wearing that shirt.”
Cena said he prepared a full character change on the chance the turn happened.
“It’s well known that I got singlets made and robes made. WWE filed for the trademark. I made the song. Basically, I was prepared,” he said. “I went out and redid all my gear. Did new entrance music. I crafted a new persona. Imagined how I would walk, how I would move through space and the moves that I would do.”
He said he does not want the unused material released.
“Some things and some ideas can stay mine, and that’s okay.”