Ric Flair shared his thoughts on why Hulk Hogan’s run as a villain was so impactful, suggesting that John Cena might not be suited to the role of WWE’s top heel. Cena surprised wrestling fans by turning against Cody Rhodes and aligning with The Bloodline in the Elimination Chamber earlier this year, marking the first time since 2005 that the 17-time world champion played the villain. At 48, Cena is on a farewell tour ahead of his retirement in 2025, and while his heel turns have garnered media attention and emotional responses from fans, reactions have been mixed, including from Flair.
During an appearance on Ariel Helwani’s show, Flair reflected on Hogan’s recent passing, noting how Hogan was a massive star in the 80s and famously shocked fans by turning heel in 1996 with the formation of the New World Order (NWO) alongside Kevin Nash and Scott Hall in WCW. Flair praised Hogan’s career-long fight to remain the top star and his real-life rivalries with other wrestlers. He contrasted this with Cena’s approach, acknowledging Cena’s strong heel moments and recent victories, including his WWE Championship win over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 and defenses against CM Punk and Randy Orton.
Hogan also commented on Cena’s heel storyline, echoing Flair’s view and attributing some of Cena’s heel struggles to The Rock’s involvement. At WrestleMania 41, The Rock received criticism for a controversial entrance that overshadowed Cena’s significant character shift. Hogan referred to The Rock as a catalyst in Cena’s heel turn, which has been a defining part of Cena’s farewell tour. Cena is set to defend his WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam, with many fans hoping this may be his final run as a fan favorite before retiring.
Fan Take: This news is significant for WWE fans because it highlights the challenges of maintaining a believable villain in today’s wrestling world. Cena’s heel turn and Flair’s reflections show how wrestling legends influence modern storylines, offering potential for fresh, compelling character developments as WWE evolves.
