I can't say I didn't think about it being a possibility - after all, didn't we all imagine it? - but I didn't think it would become a reality. John Cena, heel? Maybe a few years ago, but certainly not in his final farewell run?!
On top of that, we probably had one of the most executed and memorable moments in pro wrestling history. I loved it. And for me, it ensures this fan that when pro wrestling is done right, very little compares to the art form.
Some other quick thoughts on Cena's turning heel:
- Cody Rhodes dropping the F-bomb, intentionally and without a bleep, might have been the second most shocking thing of the night for me.
- And yes, my wife quickly had to turn to my son and enforce what every parent probably did - "don't repeat that!!". Yeah, the last thing teachers needed were their students who are WWE fans coming in to class and telling each other, "Hey, go F--- yourself". We've come a long way from crotch chops.
- Cena is getting the attention, but before I get to him, is Cody Rhodes not the biggest babyface in pro wrestling we've seen since...Stone Cold? I know we can easily place John Cena in that for a nice, poetic turn of events, but even Cena wasn't as clear-cut of a babyface as Cody Rhodes. Everyone loves Cody. And who knows where the story goes? How can you not want to see Cody Rhodes - a friendless Cody Rhodes - take on the mega power force that is the Final Boss, a heel Cena, and who knows what else?
- Also, this storyline will give us another side of Rhodes, won't it?
- I'm also hoping Dustin Rhodes aka Goldust gets involved to help Cody. Dustin has always been underrated. He's a free agent. And man, Cody needs some legitimate help! Wrestling has more than one royal family...I think you know that.
- As for Cena, I give him much props for trying this on his way into retirement. He easily could've enjoyed the ride, played the hits, and had a few familiar moments, but he upped his legacy for sure with this turn and likely what's to come.
- Speaking of reinvention, Rock deserves a lot of credit as well.
- I would like to see Cena give us what he wants heel Cena to be, feel, and be presented as. As intelligent as Cena is, I expect a new theme song, a different look, and some other changes.
- John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes as face vs. face would have been fine. But with all face vs. face matches, you certainly force the audience to push for one. With a Cena farewell tour, you run the risk of Rhodes becoming what Cena was at one time. This dynamic is a much more intriguing matchup for Wrestlemania.
- Travis Scott felt weird. And still does with this crew. Yet, looks badass in the photos. I can't make my mind up really about his involvement.
- It hasn't been discussed as we're all dissecting this crazy night in pro wrestling, but I very much look forward to how Cena turns babyface right before officially retiring.
- Of course, because it's what we do in society now - comparisons. Here's my take: This falls just short of the Hogan heel turn from Bash at the Beach '96. As much as I would love for all of Terry's hold on pro wrestling to be eclipsed, I just think Hogan's turn really was unpredictable, and his turn spurred a lot more for the entire pro wrestling business. Blahhhhhhh, that was tough to admit.
---
Photos courtesy of WWE.com