John Cena on Him Admitting His Heel Turn Run In 2025 Being A Failure, Gunther’s Booking In WWE Since His Retirement Match, & His Advice To “Budding Talent”

WrestleRant held a recent interview with John Cena. One of the topics discussed included Cena’s thoughts about his final year of his in-ring career and what it meant to him. Cena also gave his thoughts about him admitting that his heel turn run in 2025 was a failure and something that wasn’t his idea for his retirement tour.

“As far as, ‘Did it work?’ There are a lot of aspects to that. From a business side, we didn’t have a seat left. People watched in numbers. I don’t know if it didn’t work from a business standpoint, but then there a creative standpoint. Sometimes, blockbuster movies are poorly reviewed by critics. I understand where, critically, people are like, ‘This isn’t what I wanted.’ Intrinsically, I would’ve loved to have a chance to literally ruin wrestling. To wrestle so poorly that people just wanted to see me go and wanted to see a hero thwart me. We didn’t have that kind of time, and that would not have been good for business. That would’ve made people stop coming to shows and the numbers go down.

I’m grateful that I had good guidance and mentors. I’m also accountable for critiques. Long and short, I’m glad to have done it. I never asked for [the heel turn]. It wasn’t my idea. It was Paul’s idea. He asked me, and two seconds later, I said yes. Just like facing Brock or tapping out to Gunther. ‘Yes.’ That’s how I do business. Yes, just let me tell the story my way. If we never did it, I would’ve been fine. In reflecting, I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m glad we got to do it because it helps me now when I speak to younger talent and say, ‘Be bold. Take chances. Don’t worry about failing.’ I come from a place of activity, not a place of privilege where I’m in some sort of protective bubble. A lot of folks will say, ‘The heel turn failed.’ Okay, I accept that as a failure, but I swung boldly. A lot of folks were upset with the finish of the last match. I accept that critique, and I feel great that I swung boldly in my final moment.”

Cena also gave his thoughts about Gunther’s booking in WWE since retiring him from WWE and his wrestling career.

“His story is not done. I think he’s in that position right now where he’s making moves based on the equity of Gunther. And sometimes you don’t get a dance partner that’s equal or greater to you. Sometimes you don’t get a 25-year veteran like AJ Styles to make him retire. Or sometimes you don’t get to retire John Cena. Sometimes you gotta lift up younger talent. Sometimes you gotta hold the show by yourself.”

Cena also gave his thoughts about his advice to younger “budding” talent to help their wrestling careers.

“I guess I’m trying to use your time as a journalist to send a message to all the budding talent. Because I hear, not just in the press but hear from people genuinely, sometimes there’s overwhelming waves of frustration. That is natural, but as long as you get to go out and perform, you’ve got a chance.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com, F4WOnline.com