John Cena, who had been WWE’s top babyface for over two decades, shocked the world by turning heel and aligning himself with The Rock against Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber. He turned his back on the fans and “sold his soul” to The Final Boss.
This shocking moment reminded many fans of another legendary heel turn — when Stone Cold Steve Austin aligned himself with Vince McMahon in pursuit of the WWE Championship.
Given his own experience with a similar transition, Austin was recently asked if he had any advice for the newly turned heel Cena. However, the Hall of Famer believes he isn’t the right person to offer guidance, describing the mixed results of his own heel turn.
Stone Cold Steve Austin’s Heel Turn
The main event of WrestleMania X-Seven featured Austin facing The Rock for the WWE Championship. At the time, Austin was one of the most beloved babyfaces in the company, but in a shocking twist, he aligned himself with McMahon to win the match.
Austin’s heel turn received mixed reactions over the following months, and many fans believe it was ultimately a mistake. Reflecting on that decision, Austin spoke with Zack Heydorn of “The Takedown” on Sports Illustrated, explaining why he can’t give Cena any advice on being a heel.
“No. No, I wouldn’t,” Austin said when asked about offering Cena guidance on his new heel persona. “I loved working heel when I was in WCW. I loved working heel when I first came into WWE because that was a true heel.
When I turned heel at what — WrestleMania 17 — the people didn’t want me to turn heel. It was a forced turn. It was my idea. Vince always likes to do something big on a WrestleMania, so I suggested that. And he said, ‘Okay,’ but it was a s*** move. People weren’t ready for it. People didn’t want it.
“I just figured it’d go over like gangbusters. The heel I was trying to be was so hated, so much, so fast. I think I tried too hard. When I look back at it, sure, I got to push the creative envelope and do a lot of things that were cool or whatever, and, you know, push the envelope in a different direction and go out on a limb.
“But people didn’t want me to turn heel, and so I should have never done that. So, I don’t think that I’m in a position where I need to offer John Cena any advice from Steve Austin.”
John Cena’s Heel Turn Sparks Excitement for WrestleMania 41
While WWE didn’t get the desired results from Austin’s heel turn, Cena’s shocking betrayal seems to have been the right call — at least according to many experts. The turn immediately set the wrestling world buzzing, racking up record-breaking views online within the first 12 hours.
It’s been more than two weeks, but fans are still talking about it. However, it remains to be seen how the audience will react to Cena’s heel persona in the long run.
Cena and Rhodes are set to face off for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. The match is already expected to be a blockbuster, but according to rumors, it could be taken to the next level if Austin makes a surprise appearance in Rhodes’ corner.