John Cena accepts that his heel turn was a failure: “I never asked for it, so it wasn’t my idea”

It was Paul [Triple H]’s idea. And he even says himself, he asked me, and in two seconds it was a yes. Just like facing Brock [Lesnar], [Randy] Orton, or Gunther. Yes. That’s how I do business. Yes. Just let me tell the story my way, you know.

So if we never did it, I would have been fine. It would have been nice for you guys to write about, like, ‘Oh man, he never did it.’

I wouldn’t change a thing. I’m glad we got to do it because it helps me now when I speak to younger talent and say, ‘Yo, be bold, take chances, don’t worry about failing.’

I come from a place of activity, not a place of privilege, where I’m in some sort of protected bubble. A lot of folks will say, like, ‘The heel turn failed.’ Okay, I accept that as a failure, but I swung boldly.

A lot of folks were upset with the finish of the last match. Goodness, I accept that critique, and I feel great that I swung boldly in my final moments.

It helps me as now a conduit to talk to people who might not be able to understand my journey and be like, ‘Yo, man, I’m swinging.’ Even with the John Cena Classic, I’m still swinging big.”