When John Cena made a shocking heel turn at the Elimination Chamber event this past Saturday, it was a moment that reverberated through the wrestling world. His sudden betrayal of Cody Rhodes, aligning himself with The Rock in the process, was a game-changer—something rarely seen in the world of professional wrestling. While heel and babyface turns are common in WWE, Cena’s twist was particularly noteworthy, evoking memories of another iconic moment in wrestling history: Hulk Hogan’s famous heel turn in 1996 when he betrayed “Macho Man” Randy Savage to form the New World Order with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.
However, Cena’s turn wasn’t just a major storyline shift—it was a record-breaking moment in wrestling history. According to Guinness World Records, Cena’s heel turn now holds the distinction of having the longest gap between turns in WWE history. This recognition adds a layer of irony, considering Cena’s potential motivation behind the move—his drive to break Ric Flair’s legendary record for the most World Title reigns in history.
To put this new record in context, Cena’s last heel run was back in 2003 when he was in his “Doctor of Thuganomics” phase, a character that helped propel him to WWE stardom. Cena officially turned face on the November 6, 2003 edition of WWE SmackDown, meaning his time as a babyface lasted an incredible 7,786 days. This marks a record not only in WWE history but likely in the broader wrestling world as well, surpassing even Hulk Hogan’s notable 5,420-day face run between 1981 and 1996.
The fact that Cena’s babyface run lasted over 7,700 days is a testament to his overwhelming popularity and connection with the WWE Universe. It also sets a bar that’s unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.
While Cena’s heel turn is grabbing headlines, his other Guinness World Record is a much more heartwarming achievement and stands in stark contrast to his villainous shift. As of September 2022, Cena had granted 650 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a record that has likely grown even higher in the time since. Cena began granting wishes in 2002, and by 2012, he had already granted his 1,000th wish, making him the most requested celebrity by the non-profit.
The juxtaposition of these two records highlights the dual nature of Cena’s public persona. On one hand, he has been a shining example of generosity and kindness through his work with Make-A-Wish. On the other, his decision to turn heel shows that even the most beloved heroes can take a walk on the dark side, making him one of the most versatile figures in wrestling.
Cena’s inclusion in the Guinness World Records for both of these reasons—one tied to his role as a beloved charitable figure and the other to his dramatic transformation into a villain—speaks volumes about his unique impact on the world of professional wrestling and beyond. These records are not just feats of endurance or charity, but they showcase the broad spectrum of Cena’s legacy, which spans both the good and the bad.
While it might be hard to imagine anyone breaking Cena’s record for the longest babyface run, his generosity with Make-A-Wish is a standard to which other celebrities may continue to aspire. Cena’s career is now officially marked by two world records that couldn’t be more opposite: one for his contributions to charity and the other for the longest time it took for him to turn from hero to villain.
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