The unthinkable happened in Toronto. After nearly 20 years of begging, John Cena officially became a heel. With the kick heard around the world to Cody Rhodes, Cena embarked on a chapter of his career that was previously the stuff of fantasy booking, at best.
However, before the iconic moment at Elimination Chamber 2025, the leader of Cenation had a couple of opportunities where he could have legitimately embraced the dark side. None stronger than in 2004, when he was about to team up with a man who would go on to become one of his greatest rivals, Brock Lesnar.
The Time John Cena Almost Turned Heel
A green rookie who came in shouting Ruthless Aggression was starting to find his footing on the main roster. Gone were the tights in exchange for the beloved jorts and sneakers. However, in the buildup to Survivor Series 2003, Cena made a monumental decision.
General manager at the time and future Lesnar advocate, Paul Heyman, made the declaration for his client.
“I hereby proclaim you, John Cena, the fifth and final member of Team Lesnar at Survivor Series.”
Alongside the namesake Lesnar, the team comprised Matt Morgan, Nathan Jones, and The Big Show, all genuine behemoths to go up against Team Angle with Kurt Angle, Chris Benoit, Hardcore Holly, and Bradshaw.
John Cena turned face over 21 years ago when refused to join Team Lesnar
November 2003 pic.twitter.com/xojH8vnY38
— SLAPPA Wrestling (@Slappa_WWE) March 3, 2025
However, showing the first signs of the cocky but determined promo that would become one of the greatest of all time on the mic, he responded, “But I got a problem with that. You see, nobody tells John Cena what to do,” drawing a massive reaction from the crowd.
Cena wasn’t done yet, insulting the entire team in an instant.
“Look at your team, man. I ain’t gonna fit in on Team Sasquatch.”
However, the ruse became clear a moment later, as A-Train would blindside the future 16-time world champion from behind with a clothesline. It wasn’t for naught, though, as Cena would ultimately join the man he made his now legendary debut against, becoming the fifth member of Team Angle.
Cena would end up eliminating The Big Show, who was the final remaining man on Lesnar’s team, winning as the survivor alongside Chris Benoit.
At the time, it was a relatively inconspicuous moment as part of the midcard in the build to Survivor Series 2003. But back then, who knew that it would take over 21 years before Cena would finally embrace the dark side again?
