March 1, 2025 will see six men in the WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto, Canada. Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Logan Paul, and the soon-to-be-retired John Cena. This is a lot of star power in the Rogers Centre, and each man has a case to make to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Champion at WrestleMania.
But what if John Cena leaves the Elimination Chamber victorious? What would be the ramifications of that? Would The Rock’s request to Cody Rhodes to become HIS champion be a factor? What could John Cena do that would be different from the predictable route?
During an episode of Tru Heel Heat’s WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 Preview, hosts SP3 and Maggie discussed the possible outcomes of the men’s Chamber match. One in particular caught my attention, thus inspiring this article.
Ahead of the Elimination Chamber, I look at what Cena could do to create an impactful final year in his wrestling career at WWE.
The Rock’s Involvement
If Cody Rhodes doesn’t wish to sell his soul to The Rock, one could imagine a hungry talent wanting to take his place. The Rock promises to back whoever becomes his champion, his legacy playing a heavy part in promoting whoever accepts his offer, selling their soul.
But why would Cena accept this? He already has what The Rock has to offer, if not more. And this is his last year.
Long-term, it seems baffling. But The Rock knows better than anyone that coming back for that one glory win is too tantalizing. Cena wouldn’t be able to take that step away – he just couldn’t.
To Cena, one last championship reign is all that matters. Having the backing of the most powerful man in TKO, let alone WWE, would ensure an easy win.
Cena’s already granted that to himself by using his political stroke to earn his place in the Chamber. He’s claimed he’s ready to do “what’s best for business”, not “what’s best for the fans”, as he would have.
A Cena so desperate that he aligns with a former rival has the makings of a compelling story. Turning heel and doing what was best for business and best for himself. He has to get that 17th Championship.
John Cena’s New Heel Presentation
At the height of his career, Cena’s status irked fans. They’d boo him, blaming him for burying other talent and the PG Era. He was the poster boy of everything fans hated.
It was only until he put on workhorse performances as the WWE United States Championship and his shrinking volume of appearances that the fans fell in love with him again. But why should he care? He gave them all he had, and they rejected him.
“John Cena sucks! John Cena sucks!” Hearing those chants became routine for him. The Rock understands this.
As actors and celebrities, they’re two birds of a feather. Why not join forces?
And it’s so tantalizing to imagine this route for Cena, to see him turn against what made him, him. I could see him taking on a suit and tie outside of matches, donning the signature cap and jorts when competing.
He speaks more corporately, like the company man he conducts himself as. But the dramatics shouldn’t end there; even his theme song must reflect this change without sacrificing his identity.
“The Time is Now” is an iconic theme song that transcends wrestling. It’s in football stadiums, memes, and everyday conversations. Everyone knows Cena, and he’s soon to reach The Rock levels of being known more for acting than wrestling.
Therefore, what better way to reflect this change than to tweak his theme into a leitmotif? Just as Roman Reigns has an operatic, mafia-esque presentation of his Tribal Chief theme, Cena can also adopt such. Reaching into the same sphere, the WWE could turn his iconic theme song into a piano-turned-orchestra representation that makes him feel like a Superman gone rogue.
How to Make This Meaningful
John Cena means a lot of things to a lot of people. There’s a gripping narrative to a John Cena win at Elimination Chamber that can add dramatic weight to a main event match with Cody Rhodes while retaining that. Believing himself to be the good guy still, Cena is so blinded by his many wins that he’s not seeing clearly.
Or, Cena doubts himself at this point in his career, thinking he’ll need a lot more to keep him at the level he once stood on. And maybe he hesitates. But the title on Rhodes’s shoulder is his white whale.
Speaking of white whales, fans have long clamored for Cena to give them a heel run. Throughout his career, even when he couldn’t give fans exactly what they wanted, he still tried to give at least something. Cena knows he doesn’t have long until he hangs up the boots; I wouldn’t put it past him to finish his story with one last memory.
This is a chance to tie up any loose ends. The Firefly Funhouse Match. His unfinished business with CM Punk inside the Chamber. A Randy Orton encounter, with Orton being the voice of reason.
New and hungry stars salivate at the chance to get a win over the legendary wrestler. There are loads to do, with so little time to do them.
Cena spent a significant chunk of his career making children smile. Now it’s time to make them cry. (Wow. That’s a little grim, Corey.)
Those people who booed? Time to give them something to boo about. Force Cena to lose himself so much in his goals that he forgets who he is.
Capitalize on it by reinforcing a truth he once held dear: the fans are the only voices that matter.
Conclusion
Each competitor in the Elimination Chamber could easily have a convincing case to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship. Damian Priest, ever the underdog, could win by an upset. CM Punk still has a favor to ask of Paul Heyman.
Seth Rollins may believe Rhodes to have a compromised soul and could be the babyface with Rhodes as the villain. Drew McIntyre’s hatred, combined with a lust for gold, could overthrow Rhodes.
I’m sure there’s something there for Logan Paul. Okay, I lied; I think that, at least, most of the competitors have a convincing case.
But with John Cena, you might never get this chance again. Sure, wrestlers are prone to coming out of retirement. Should WWE take that risk?
He’s stated multiple times that “The Last Time is Now.” Time is of the essence. What better time would it be than the main event of WrestleMania?
Considering the importance of Rhodes’ storyline with The Rock and the factor of John Cena, featuring these elements oozes with money. Three of their five or six biggest stars ever in the ring. Two of them already waltz with Hollywood celebrities. Keeping in mind that these are talents fans care a lot about, this is as strong of a main event as one can get.
As the purveyor of “Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect” always touted, the time is now.
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