With his recent alliance with The Rock and betrayal of Cody Rhodes’ friendship, John Cena abandoned WWE fans. Tommy Dreamer had notes for the unexpected turn on “Busted Open Radio,” but he placed it in high company.
“The only thing I can compare it to is [Hulk Hogan turning heel],” Dreamer stated. “Value shock? worked. Are people discussing it? worked.
Dreamer isn’t prepared to place it among the upper echelons of wrestling shocks, but he believes Cena and WWE were able to generate a lot of press and audience interest.
“You should expect to be jeered if you discuss a heel turn. “Everyone popped the instant he turned,” Dreamer said. “Everyone stood up and applauded. A few middle fingers were exchanged. Going back to the old school, fans simply popped for John Cena; it wasn’t a heel turn.
Dreamer thinks that Cena’s use of a Rolex to punch Rhodes contributed to the scene becoming more heel-like, but the Toronto crowd were still ecstatic.
Dreamer backed off, stating that WWE altered the tape to highlight the intensity of the scene. “There are people jumping and there’s more noise, cheers, than boos, but it worked,” he said. “They gave me a massage… They displayed the turn’s faces, children sobbing, and other things.
Cena’s retirement tour is now underway and is scheduled to conclude in December. Cena’s last performance in Toronto featured the startling heel turn. After winning the title battle at Elimination Chamber, Cena will compete against Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 41. He will surpass WWE Hall of Famer “Nature Boy” Ric Flair’s record of 16 world titles if he prevails.
