WWE fans are eagerly awaiting the March 17 episode of RAW in Brussels, Belgium, where Cody Rhodes and John Cena will come face-to-face following their heated encounter at Elimination Chamber. Legendary wrestling manager Jim Cornette recently shared his thoughts on how WWE should handle their segment, emphasizing that the focus should be on storytelling rather than in-ring action.
John Cena’s Heel Turn and WrestleMania 41 Match Setup
On March 1, John Cena shocked the WWE Universe by turning heel for the first time in over 20 years. His brutal attack on Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber marked a dramatic shift in his character. To make things even more interesting, Cena has now aligned himself with The Rock and rapper Travis Scott, forming a powerful villainous faction ahead of WrestleMania 41.
Cena is set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship on April 19-20 at WrestleMania. If he wins, he will surpass Ric Flair’s record and become a 17-time world champion.
Jim Cornette’s Take on Cena vs. Rhodes on RAW
During an episode of his Drive-Thru podcast, Jim Cornette shared his vision for the upcoming RAW segment. Instead of a brawl, he believes WWE should allow Cena and Rhodes to engage in a powerful verbal exchange that sets the stage for their WrestleMania showdown.
“I don’t know that they need a lot of physicality coming off of what they just did and this far away from WrestleMania. Think about it now, would you rather see John Cena wrestle or would you rather hear him talk?”
Cornette noted that Cena’s promo skills are among the best in WWE history, and this segment will likely showcase his ability to deliver a compelling and emotional message. He also emphasized that Cody Rhodes is one of the best babyface talkers in WWE, making this a must-see confrontation.
Can Cena’s Heel Promos Keep Up with Cody’s Babyface Promos?
Having worked with John Cena in WWE’s Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) developmental system in the early 2000s, Cornette recalled how well Cena delivered heel promos in his early career. However, he questioned whether Cena, now a Hollywood megastar, can still match Cody’s passionate and intense promo style.
“He could do it then like crazy, but now he’s a completely different person, and it’ll be interesting to see if his heel promos can hang with Cody’s babyface promos.”
With Cena’s shocking heel turn and his alliance with The Rock and Travis Scott, RAW on March 17 is expected to be a crucial step toward the WrestleMania 41 showdown. Jim Cornette believes WWE should focus on storytelling rather than physicality, allowing Cena and Rhodes to sell their rivalry through an intense war of words. Whether Cena’s new heel persona can stand up to Cody’s passionate promos remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this feud is heating up fast.
FAQs
When is John Cena returning to WWE RAW?
John Cena will appear on WWE RAW on March 17, 2025, in Brussels, Belgium, ahead of his WrestleMania 41 match against Cody Rhodes.
Why did John Cena turn heel at Elimination Chamber 2025?
Cena turned heel for the first time in over 20 years by attacking Cody Rhodes and aligning with The Rock and rapper Travis Scott.
What did Jim Cornette say about Cena and Rhodes’ RAW segment?
Cornette believes WWE should focus on storytelling rather than physicality, allowing Cena and Rhodes to engage in a strong promo battle.
When is Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena at WrestleMania 41?
Cody Rhodes will defend the Undisputed WWE Championship against John Cena at WrestleMania 41 on April 19-20, 2025.
What concerns did Jim Cornette raise about Bianca Belair’s WrestleMania match?
Cornette expressed concerns about WWE possibly altering Bianca Belair’s match at WrestleMania 41, though no official changes have been confirmed.
