John Cena Promises 'More Unpredictability on the Way' After Shocking Heel Turn (Exclusive)

Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty John Cena

Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty

John Cena

John Cena’s heel turn last month was one of the biggest swerves in WWE history, but just wait, because the 16-time world champion says there’s a lot more ‘unpredictability’ coming.

Cena, 47, recently spoke with PEOPLE while in Budapest and opened up for one of the first times publicly about the historic moment.

“I'm going to say that there's more unpredictability on the way,” Cena says of his next WWE matches, during an interview about his role in Neutrogena’s new ad campaign surrounding its SPF products and the importance of UV protection.

Cena shocked WWE fans when he joined sides with his longtime rival Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and attacked WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at the end of the Elimination Chamber event last month, turning heel for the first time in 22 years — the longest any WWE character has ever gone without a soap opera-esque change of heart.

Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty John Cena hugs Cody Rhodes before turning on him at WWE's Elimination Chamber event on March 1, 2025

Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty

John Cena hugs Cody Rhodes before turning on him at WWE's Elimination Chamber event on March 1, 2025

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The moment made headlines around the world and set up a highly anticipated one-on-one world title match between Cena and Rhodes, 39, at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas on April 20.

Cena politely deflected when PEOPLE asked him for more details about what to expect from his character in the coming weeks leading up to the match.

“Here's the stance I'm going to take on it, and I think hopefully I can put it in terms you can understand: We're in the middle of a very riveting season of episodic television and you are kindly asking me to give you spoilers, and I can't do that,” Cena says. “What I did really enjoy about your question is you expressed the unpredictability of WWE programming, and I think that's one strong point of the current state of WWE is its unpredictability in its programming.”

Last year, the Fast & Furious star announced his plans to retire from professional wrestling in 2025, telling fans next month’s WrestleMania “will be the last I compete in.”

"I know, I know, that's a lot to take in, right? Probably a lot of questions out there," Cena said upon the announcement.

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