John Cena is making headlines during his retirement tour, particularly for his unexpected heel turn—his first since 2003—immediately following a significant victory at Elimination Chamber in February. In a surprising twist, Cena has aligned himself with The Rock for yet undisclosed reasons, propelling him into the main event at WrestleMania 41. His opponent? The WWE Undisputed Champion, Cody Rhodes, whom Cena aims to dethrone and secure his 17th championship, thereby surpassing Ric Flair and solidifying his claim as the greatest of all time.
Some fans have expressed frustration over the slow build leading up to this week’s Monday Night Raw, but this pacing may serve a strategic purpose. The groundwork seems to indicate a broader narrative arc for Cena that harkens back over ten years and intertwines with the complex legacy of Bray Wyatt and two pivotal characters from his eerie narrative within WWE.
What’s Next for John Cena After WrestleMania 41?
Could The Firefly Funhouse Come Back To Haunt Him?
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Cena’s impending clash with Cody Rhodes is poised to be one of the most dynamic encounters at WrestleMania 41, many anticipating interference from The Rock or other elements of chaos to help secure Cena’s victory and the coveted WWE Undisputed Championship. This ambition encapsulates Cena’s motives behind his alliance with The Rock, fulfilling an ominous prediction made by Bray Wyatt during their infamous Firefly Funhouse match at WrestleMania 36.
“How dare you talk to me about chances, John Cena. I have had to earn everything I’ve ever been given in life, and still they’re taken from me. You, you’re the golden goose, John. Your chances, they’re unlimited, you’re untouchable. But you’re not a hero, John. You’re a bully. You’re a horrible person. You take the weaknesses of others, and you turn them into jokes. You’d do anything for fame, John. Congratulations, you’re the man now, John. Poor, lonely John Cena.”
If Cena successfully claims the title from Rhodes, he will have reached the pinnacle of his career, yet at what cost? He risks sacrificing his principles and moral integrity merely to cling to his fame, echoing Wyatt’s criticism. With the championship belt around his waist and a swollen ego, Cena would become precisely what Wyatt accused him of: a bully.
Uncle Howdy Returns To Even The Score
The Loose Ends of the Funhouse Still Exist
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Following the tragic passing of Bray Wyatt in 2023, the narrative he wove within WWE appeared to remain unfinished. However, Wyatt’s brother Bo Dallas, who previously portrayed Uncle Howdy, has reignited this storyline with a fresh cast known as the Wyatt Sicks, bringing chaos back to the WWE Universe.
While Cena’s narrative with Bray Wyatt seemingly concluded at WrestleMania 36, the shadows cast by The Fiend and Uncle Howdy loom large. Cena’s insatiable quest for fame foreshadows a future reckoning, and Uncle Howdy might just be the embodiment of that reckoning.
Karrion Kross And His Place In The Story
Kross Foretold A Cena Heel Turn As Well
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However, Uncle Howdy is not the only character seeking justice against Cena. Karrion Kross has been intricately linked to both the Wyatt saga and Cena himself, having been spotted in cryptic social media clips watching Cena from backstage—a clear hint of his upcoming involvement in Cena’s storyline.
In a recent interview on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez, Kross reflected on his creative ideas from his collaboration with Wyatt, suggesting there’s still much potential for storytelling:
“For me, it wasn’t difficult at all. I had a blast with it. It was really, really fun. I had a ton of ideas that I put on the table that I was hoping we could get to. Maybe there’s still time in the future to circle back and get to them, but it was a lot of fun. I remember Windham and a fellow named Nick Manfredini wanted me to have the Fiend mask on, exploring darker sides of Bray Wyatt that could be brought forward for compelling storytelling.”
Kross’s role has been vital in highlighting the transformative journey of various WWE superstars, unveiling their true selves. Should WWE creatively intertwine the narratives of Kross, The Wyatts, and Cena, the result could be an enthralling, multi-layered story. This could lead to Cena’s downfall, driven by his own hubris and an urgent need to maintain relevance in an evolving WWE landscape.
Our Take on What’s Next for John Cena
Any Avenue Works Well Here, And Pays Off A Big Story For Fans
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As John Cena’s retirement approaches in late 2025, fans speculate about his legacy, especially given that his storyline involves frank admissions about “selling his soul for some mass appeal.”The conclusion of Cena’s arc cannot see him relegated to the status of a cowardly heel; that would undermine nearly two decades of character development that have defined his journey.
Engaging Cena in conflicts with Uncle Howdy and Karrion Kross—whether separately or together—would challenge him to confront his past and seek redemption. These confrontations provide an opportunity for Cena to address his misdeeds and threaten to strip away his most coveted possession: the WWE Championship. Despite his current ambitions, a reckoning looms on the horizon, promising an unpredictable and thrilling narrative ahead.