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John Cena Reveals He Planned a 'Terrible' WrestleMania Main Event

2026-07-21 · John Cena · Player Focus

John Cena revealed he deliberately aimed to make his WrestleMania 41 main event against Cody Rhodes a 'terrible' match as part of his heel character. The bout, held on April 6, 2024, faced heavy backlash from fans and critics alike.

What was Cena’s plan?

Cena explained on WWE Unreal that his heel persona required him to 'ruin wrestling' by delivering a methodically boring performance. He wanted fans to leave disappointed, saying, 'That’s it? What a s--tty main event.' However, WWE executives worried the approach would backfire, turning fans against the entire promotion rather than just Cena.

Why did the match fall flat?

The match suffered from multiple issues beyond Cena’s intentional dullness. Fans expected The Rock to appear, given his involvement in Cena’s heel turn, but he never showed. Instead, rapper Travis Scott made a prominent appearance. The finish also drew criticism when Rhodes refused to hit Cena with a title belt, only for Cena to win with a low blow and belt shot, securing his record 17th world title.

What happened after WrestleMania?

Cena held the championship for four months before losing it to Rhodes at SummerSlam on August 3, 2024. The defeat marked Cena’s return to a babyface role. While his heel run didn’t last long, his shocking turn at Elimination Chamber earlier in the year remains one of WWE’s most memorable surprises in recent memory.

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