Last Saturday, little kids’ hearts shattered as John Cena gave in and became the bad guy for the first time in his career. Not only did this send shockwaves through the WWE community, but through the entire internet. John Cena’s historic heel turn caught the attention of millions of non-WWE fans, which propelled the WWE to another level of fame.
To explain the significance of Cena’s change of heart, I would like to remind you of the values he adorned and advocated for his entire career, “Hustle. Loyalty. Respect”. Cena has stayed steady throughout his career as a “good guy” both in the ring and out. Cena has met 650 make-a-wish kids, which is the most by any celebrity by far. The second most make-a-wish visits by a celebrity is Justin Beiber with 250 children. This made his sudden change in attitude shocking and so popular.
WWE had already been on a legendary run due to Wrestlemania 40 and the change in creative ownership, but this has elevated it to another level of relevance. With social media posts receiving millions of views, the largest number being 31.9 million, the WWE has captured the attention of a much larger audience.
Streamers and singers have also allowed WWE to reach their own fanbases. The most recent celebrity involved was Travis Scott, who performed with The Rock at the Elimination Chamber. As they played “FE!N” as the entrance theme song, the crowd erupted in excitement and surprise.
This inclusion of public figures extends beyond Travis Scott. The WWE has had special guests like IShowSpeed and even Bad Bunny in the Royal Rumble. The viral video of IShowSpeed getting speared by Bron Breaker has gotten millions of views.
The Rock’s return and Paul Levesque’s creative leadership have changed the game for WWE, allowing them to make more risky decisions. The more eyes that are on WWE, the better, and they are nailing that concept right now. John Cena’s heel turn has skyrocketed the viewership for WWE, and it won’t slow down any time soon.
With wrestling’s biggest event, Wrestlemania, being around the corner, the attention of the internet is more valuable than ever. Ticket prices have skyrocketed ever since March 1st, and they don’t look like they’re going to decrease in the near future. So, tune into the showcase of the immortals and see what direction Cena will go during the main event.
As the WWE continues to take unique creative directions, their fanbase is getting bigger and bigger. Don’t be surprised if someone mentions IShowSpeed’s Royal Rumble appearance or John Cena’s heel turn in conversation. WWE is on fire right now and is worth checking out even for a casual viewer.