John Cena faced his critics head-on during the March 17, 2025 episode of WWE Raw held in Brussels, Belgium, marking his first appearance since his shocking heel turn at the Elimination Chamber earlier this month. The wrestling legend, who has been synonymous with heroism for over two decades, found himself submerged under waves of boos as he entered the arena, donning his Belgium-themed "Last Time is Now" attire, reminiscent of his earlier glory days but marred by his controversial choice to align with The Rock and Travis Scott.
Stepping forward, Cena was met with chants of "Cena sucks," and as he took hold of the microphone, he expressed his disdain for the treatment he had received from fans over the years. "For 25 years, I’ve been a victim of an abusive relationship. All you do is be hurtful and bully me… I am not a babyface. I am not a heel. I am a human being. You have been awful to me… I’m breaking up with every single person whether you like me or not, you’re dumped," he declared, invoking mixed reactions from the raging crowd.
Cena's outburst focused on his frustration, citing the years of criticism and the invisible joke fans had made of his career. According to Cena, the turning point was not his actions at the Elimination Chamber — where he brutally attacked Cody Rhodes to secure his championship opportunity — but rather the culmination of years of feeling undervalued and disrespected by the very fans who had once cheered him on.
Interrupting his tirade was none other than Cody Rhodes, who emerged to loud cheers from the crowd. Rhodes, embodying the role of the people's champion, took the opportunity to confront Cena directly. "These fans gave you their worst, but they also gave you their best," Rhodes pointed out, challenging Cena to reconnect with his true self before their match at WrestleMania 41. With fervor, he reminded Cena, "Get over it, or face certain defeat." This confrontation only fueled the atmosphere, as Cena appeared to retreat, visibly impacted by Rhodes’ words.
The commentary team reacted similarly divided on the matter. Michael Cole expressed disappointment with Cena, labeling him "an irrational prick" for his audacious claims and actions, countering with disbelief at the transformation of the franchise player. Meanwhile, Corey Graves defended Cena’s stance, asserting he was "speaking his truth" as fans continued their barrage of insults.
Adding another layer of drama, Cody Rhodes' mother later weighed in, shock evident as she spoke with Bill Apter of Sportskeeda WrestleBinge. "You should be ashamed of yourself. You had a beautiful career. Everybody loved you, and now you’re just an asshole," she said, highlighting the betrayal felt by those close to Rhodes. Her sentiments echo the mixed feelings rippling throughout the wrestling community as Cena’s transformation has left many grappling with their loyalties.
Cena’s emotionally charged return starkly contrasts with the jubilant atmosphere fans expect at WWE events — turning the anticipated showdown at WrestleMania 41, where he aims to become the 17-time champion, on its head. While many fans have yet to come to terms with Cena's departure from the role of the beloved hero, others speculate if this heel turn could pave the way for new storylines and arcs within WWE.
Specific to the Brussels event, Netflix had to intervene, censoring live broadcasts after viewers erupted with chants like "F you Cena!" and "Shut the f up!" illustrating the palpable tension felt throughout the arena. Cena himself seemed caught off-guard by the ferocity of the booing fans, teasing walking out before finally addressing them, leading to even louder eruptions of disdain toward the now villainous figure.
Looking back, Cena’s ability to transform himself from one of wrestling’s greatest good guys to its newest antagonist mirrors broader narratives seen over the years. His sentiment of breaking up not only with his supporters but also reconceptualizing his role within the wrestling universe signifies more than just a plot twist — it reflects the very fabric of wrestling's interaction with its audience.
With their major clash set for WrestleMania 41 taking place at Allegiant Stadium, the stakes have never felt higher. Fans are left contemplating not only the outcome of the match but also what Cena’s future holds moving forward. Can he win back the fans, or will he fully embrace this new persona? Only time will tell as WWE heads toward their flagship event.
