When John Cena appeared on the SmackDown before SummerSlam 2025, he had a two-word message to Cody Rhodes: “Thank you.” In a shocking move, he explained why he won’t be a villain any longer.
Five months ago, John Cena had what many considered the most shocking heel turn in wrestling history since WCW Bash at the Beach 1996, when “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan turned heel. It’s hard to explain just how ground-breaking that was, but the difference between the two turns lies in how things were handled once the dust had settled. While Hogan’s heel turn was considered one of the best business decisions in wrestling history, the same can’t be said for Cena.
John Cena even admitted as much, thanking Cody Rhodes for putting him through a table and waking him up to his erroneous ways. He admitted that he chased the idea of someone else’s vision (presumably The Rock) to make shocking television, but once the dust settled, everyone went back to their lives. And the people he turned on left him alone.
“I don’t want to ruin wrestling. I love wrestling.”
– John Cena#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/yeBTunlmji
— Sportskeeda Wrestling (@SKWrestling_) August 2, 2025
He admitted that he tried to be something he wasn’t. Cena then denounced the idea of ruining wrestling because he loved wrestling. The reason why he wants to leave with the WWE Championship now is simple: He wants people to never forget him.
John Cena says he’s finally over his BS.
“Mark your calendar Cody, August 1st 2025, the day that John Cena came back to the WWE!”#SmackDown
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) August 2, 2025
In an interesting move, Cena then told Cody Rhodes that on Sunday, the only rapper coming to kick his a** was Cena himself.