Social Media Reacts To John Cena's Heel Turn At WWE Elimination Chamber

The wrestling world was rocked and the wrestling industry -- as Triple H mentioned -- was changed at the WWE Elimination Chamber event on Saturday night.

In the main event segment of the night and after winning the men's Elimination Chamber match and punching his ticket to a WrestleMania 41 championship match against Cody Rhodes, John Cena turned heel and aligned with The Rock, attacking Rhodes with a low-kick that he followed up with a vicious, bloody assault.

The Rock came to the Elimination Chamber event to get an answer from Cody on whether or not he would be The Rock's champion and give him his soul. Instead, Rhodes told Rock to "go f**k himself." John Cena embraced Cody, but then low kicked him at The Rock's direction. Cena then smashed Rhodes with a watch before crushing him in the face with the title belt.

John Cena turning heel in WWE has been a talked about event for years and this is how the wrestling world reacted on X.

Current WWE Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley posted a timely and appropriate emoji after the heel turn heard around the world.

🤯 https://t.co/aXvDDSN0LJ
— RheaRipley_WWE (@RheaRipley_WWE) March 2, 2025

Drew McIntyre, one of the other competitors in the Elimination Chamber match with Cena, called Cena a hypocrite.

Cena the Hypocrite
Travis Scott existing
And another roll up pic.twitter.com/Nam61eGV2V
— Drew (@DMcIntyreWWE) March 2, 2025

Fans around the world were shocked.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING MOMENTS IN WWE HISTORY.

HOW HAS JOHN CENA TURNED HEEL IN 2025 😭#WWEChamber pic.twitter.com/qpVLPI1ltV
— TribaI Wrestling (@TribalMegastar) March 2, 2025

pic.twitter.com/2RPbztH9uE
— 90s WWE (@90sWWE) March 2, 2025

The Break-a-Wish Foundation pic.twitter.com/pAKTuiVsPm
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 2, 2025

They applauded the segment.

Well done, @WWE pic.twitter.com/Vw5vCk6KXG
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) March 2, 2025

ABSOLUTE CINEMA pic.twitter.com/Zzvk0eGQ38
— 90s WWE (@90sWWE) March 2, 2025

Meanwhile, others provided thoughtful commentary on what just unfolded.

After a career where Cena spent almost all of it getting booed when he worked his ass off to be a face, only to turn at the very end when the crowd finally unreservedly love him and don't boo him at all is wild. I don't know if I like it or not, but it's fascinating.
— Trevor Dame (@TrevorDame) March 2, 2025

Credit where it's due.

John Cena could have absolutely cruised through his last year in wrestling, and he earned the right to do it. No one would have faulted him either.

Instead, he took a huge step out of his comfort zone to make a moment and someone else. #WWEChamber #WWE
— Jon Alba (@JonAlba) March 2, 2025

When Austin turned, there was excitement mixed with confusion because it really didn’t make sense.

I won’t say this turn is bigger than the Hogan turn because the world is a difference place, but it’s the biggest turn since 1996.

And it’s logical AND stunning.
— Steve (@NotDrDeath) March 2, 2025

Some even called it the greatest thing America has done in decades.

Heel Cena aligned with heel Rock is the greatest thing America has done in decades. pic.twitter.com/jw2Sc3muHA
— Brandon Walker (@BFW) March 2, 2025

But in the end, many hearts were indeed broken.

pics that go hard but also break your heart pic.twitter.com/R0aGRstOgZ
— WWE (@WWE) March 2, 2025

The Latest On WWE, AEW & More

WWE Elimination Chamber Results, Live Blog & Highlights

How WWE Is Handling Jacob Fatu's Progression And Development

How Will CM Punk Feel If He Doesn't Main Event WWE WrestleMania 41?

WWE And UFC Heading Australia For Five Shows Including A PLE, Raw, And SmackDown