It’s been a week, but the world still can’t seem to get over the shock of John Cena’s heel turn at WWE’s Elimination Chamber. Cena, The Rock, and Travis Scott humiliating WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was one of the most-viewed events in recent times.
Wrestling fans around the globe were surprised by this dark side of the 16-time champion. From WWE Hall of Famers to ordinary fans, many took to social media to share their reactions.
Some criticized Cena’s heel turn, while others were excited. Yet, the wrestling world was waiting for Rhodes to address this brutal assault on him. On the March 7 edition of Friday Night SmackDown, we finally witnessed Rhodes’ much-anticipated reaction to Cena’s heel turn.
Cody Rhodes Addresses John Cena’s Heel Turn
Rhodes appeared on Friday night’s WWE SmackDown to address Cena and The Rock after what they did to him. Fans missed his high-energy entrance as he quietly entered the ring without posing.
The American Nightmare had a serious eye injury from punches by Scott during the shocking events at Elimination Chamber. Before Rhodes could say anything, the 16,000+ in the arena erupted in loud chants of “Cena sucks.”
Rhodes mentioned his daughter asking him about what happened and how he couldn’t explain it to her. So he lied, telling her that he ran into a wall.
Rhodes then revealed what Cena said to him when he defeated Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 to become the champion.
“You can watch WrestleMania 40 back; you can turn the audio up. My old friend John Cena celebrated in the ring with my friends and family. He looked at me, pointed at the title, and I’ll never forget what he said. He said, ‘It gets heavier every day.’”
Then, addressing Cena directly, Rhodes said that the 16-time champion might have thought his successor would need to look like him, but Rhodes proved him wrong and challenged him using his famous quote.
“Well, John, here I am holding this championship. It is not heavy enough. Here I am, holding this championship, as I have for the last 300+ days.
“John, I know that you’re watching. I know you think that your successor had to look like you, talk like you, be like you, and live like you, but the next one doesn’t look like the last one, John. And you’re convinced that you are the last of your kind. You are not! I am standing right here, holding this above my head as if it weighs nothing, and at WrestleMania 41, I will do the same!
“John Cena, clearly you want some, so come and get some!”
“YOU WANT SOME… COME GET SOME”
OH MY GOD CODY RHODES WHAT A PROMO🤯😩
GENERATIONAL TALENT!!!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/8k9kzX70DS
— #WeWantCody (@WeWantCody_) March 8, 2025
Rhodes and Cena are set to face each other at WrestleMania 41 with the WWE Championship on the line. The Rock is already involved in this rivalry, and it will be interesting to see which other superstars join this storyline in the coming weeks.