John Cena has revealed fresh details about a heel turn WWE nearly gave him more than a decade before he finally became a villain in 2025 alongside The Rock at Elimination Chamber. Speaking at Fan Expo Tampa, Cena explained that Vince McMahon had floated the idea of turning him bad ahead of their "Once in a Lifetime" WrestleMania XXVIII match against Dwayne Johnson, prompting Cena to prepare extensively for a character that was ultimately never used.

Cena said he recorded new entrance music, had ten new outfits, wrestling robes and boots made, and even filed a WWE trademark for "Fear My Name" as part of the abandoned persona. He also revealed he had rehearsed how the character would move and carry itself, drawing comparisons to Ric Flair, only for McMahon to scrap the plan four weeks later. While some details had previously been known, Cena's latest comments offer new insight into just how far preparations went, making the eventual 2025 heel turn seem long overdue by comparison.