WrestleMania 41 promised spectacle, history, and high-stakes drama—and it delivered. But not everyone walked away happy. In fact, a growing faction of fans and insiders argue that *John Cena*, once the golden boy of WWE, *may have just ruined wrestling as we know it*… or at the very least, turned its current trajectory upside down.
So what exactly happened? And is the outrage justified—or is it just a new era in disguise?
The Shocking Turn: Cena Wins #17
Let’s start with the headline: *John Cena is now a 17-time world champion*, surpassing Ric Flair’s historic record. He defeated Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 41, aided by a controversial appearance from rapper and surprise ally **Travis Scott**. The moment was shocking—not just because of the win, but because of *how* it was executed.
Fans expected a heroic finish for Cody, the babyface who had clawed his way back after losing to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39. This was supposed to be his redemption. Instead, Cena, the man who spent years preaching hustle, loyalty, and respect, *cheated* to win.
Some fans cheered. Many more booed.
The Heel Turn Nobody Asked For?
While WWE has long flirted with turning Cena heel, they always stopped short. He was the merchandise mover, the make-a-wish hero, the PG face of the company. But at WrestleMania 41, the company finally pulled the trigger.
Cena’s victory was arrogant, opportunistic, and anti-heroic. He didn’t just beat Cody—he buried the dream of “finishing the story.” With a smug expression and an air of detachment, Cena walked out of Las Vegas not as a conquering hero, but as a cold-blooded conqueror.
And in doing so, *he may have shattered the unwritten code of WrestleMania main events*.
The Fallout: Fans and Wrestlers React
The backlash was swift. Social media erupted. "#NotMyChampion" trended within minutes. Fans chanted “Cody deserved better” the following night on *Raw*. Even within the WWE locker room, reports suggest tension behind the scenes. Drew McIntyre, who was passed over for the main event, voiced frustration about the company’s creative direction. Roman Reigns reportedly "rolled his eyes" when the outcome was revealed to talent.
This wasn’t just about Cena winning. It was about *who lost*—and what that loss meant for WWE’s future storytelling.
Did Cena Hijack the Spotlight?
There’s an argument to be made that *WrestleMania 41 became John Cena’s retirement party at everyone else’s expense*. WWE announced he’ll retire at the end of 2025, and he’s expected to defend his title throughout the year in a "last ride" series of dream matches.
But that announcement has only added fuel to the fire. Critics claim the decision feels *manufactured and selfish*—a nostalgic victory lap that derailed years of carefully built momentum for rising stars like Cody Rhodes, Gunther, LA Knight, and even Sami Zayn.
Is This Brilliant Storytelling?
To be fair, not everyone is mourning. Some believe this twist is *exactly* what wrestling needed. Cena has never been more hated—and that’s a *good* thing. If wrestling thrives on emotion, then Cena just delivered nuclear heat.
His heel reign opens the door to epic confrontations: Cody’s revenge arc. Roman’s redemption. CM Punk’s possible return feud. A Cena-Orton final battle. If used wisely, this could set the stage for one of the greatest years in WWE history.
Final Word: Ruined or Reinvented?
So did John Cena ruin wrestling at WrestleMania 41? If you’re a Cody Rhodes fan, maybe yes. If you believe in fair play and babyface payoffs, probably. But if you believe in chaos, drama, and long-term storytelling?
Then maybe—just maybe—John Cena saved it.
One thing’s certain: WrestleMania will never be the same again.
No comments:
Post a Comment