Tyrese Haliburton had plenty to say about John Cena and his recent stint as a WWE villain. The Indiana Pacers guard made it clear he is glad it’s over.
Cena’s heel turn began in March 2025, his first in more than two decades. It came during what he has called his final year in the ring.
He had announced his retirement plans in July 2024. Entering 2025, Cena’s schedule included the Royal Rumble, Elimination Chamber, and WrestleMania 41.
At Elimination Chamber on March 1, Cena last eliminated CM Punk to earn an Undisputed WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes.
After the win, he attacked Rhodes and aligned with The Rock and Travis Scott. He told fans he would “ruin” wrestling and retire as champion.
The heel run peaked at WrestleMania 41 in April. Cena beat Rhodes with help from Scott to become a record 17-time world champion.
On August 1, Rhodes attacked Cena on SmackDown, prompting his return to being a babyface. At SummerSlam, he lost the title back to Rhodes and embraced him after the match. That moment marked a full return to his heroic presentation.
Speaking on the debut episode of Self Made Sessions, Haliburton shared his honest take. “I was cool with it, but I’m glad we kind of just swung that to the wayside and we’re back to being a face,” he said.
“I was at SummerSlam obviously, and when the colors showed up, the pop was crazy, and I thought that that Cena/Cody match is the best match I’ve ever watched in person.
“I wasn’t necessarily a fan of the heel run but I enjoyed the pipebomb. I thought it was funny, he probably enjoyed it himself, like had fun doing it.
“I don’t know, I wish it was done a little different, like I wish we would’ve got him and Rock and a better explanation as to why he turned heel and I wish we coulda got a faction or something but I’m just gonna pretend it never happened — he was a face the whole time.
“I went and watched him at SummerSlam. He was a face so, that’s what I’m rocking with.”
Haliburton even became part of the action at SummerSlam. Sitting ringside in a walking boot and on crutches, he saw Cena mock him with the “You can’t see me” taunt. Cena then grabbed one of his crutches to use during the match.
Cena now turns his attention to Logan Paul. The two will meet in a singles match at WWE’s Clash in Paris Premium Live Event on August 31. For Haliburton, though, the heel chapter is already erased.
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