WWE Declares John Cena’s Betrayal the Most Shocking Heel Turn in History

John Cena’s shocking Elimination Chamber heel turn against Cody Rhodes isn’t just a major moment in WWE’s current storyline—it’s now being recognized as the biggest betrayal in the history of the company.

In a newly released video on WWE’s official YouTube channel, the company ranked the Top 30 Heel Turns of All Time, and Cena’s shocking alignment with The Rock was placed at #1 on the list. The moment saw Cena, who had spent two decades as WWE’s ultimate fan favorite, stab Rhodes in the back and unleash a brutal assault, joining forces with The Final Boss on the road to WrestleMania 41.

WWE’s Top 10 Greatest Heel Turns of All Time:

1. John Cena turns on Cody Rhodes (2025) – After years of refusing to embrace the dark side, Cena finally snapped, betraying Cody Rhodes in the most shocking way possible at Elimination Chamber 2025. Aligning himself with The Rock, Cena set the stage for one of the biggest showdowns in WrestleMania history.
2. Hulk Hogan joins the NWO (1996) – The betrayal that changed wrestling forever. Hogan, the ultimate babyface, stunned the world when he sided with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, forming the New World Order and ushering in a new era in WCW.
3. Seth Rollins turns on The Shield (2014) – One of the most gut-wrenching moments of the modern era. Seth Rollins sold out his brothers Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose, attacking them with a steel chair and aligning himself with Triple H and The Authority.
4. Shawn Michaels turns on Marty Jannetty (1992) – A barbershop window and a superkick cemented Shawn Michaels as a future legend when he shattered Marty Jannetty’s dreams—and his partnership—by sending him crashing through the glass.
5. Dominik Mysterio betrays Rey Mysterio (2022) – Rey Mysterio’s own flesh and blood betrayed him at Clash at the Castle, joining Judgment Day and launching one of WWE’s most personal feuds.
6. Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston turn on Big E (2024) – After years of unity, New Day was torn apart when Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston shockingly turned on Big E, leaving fans heartbroken.
7. Becky Lynch turns on Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam (2018) – The night The Man was born. Becky Lynch, sick of being overshadowed, turned on her best friend Charlotte Flair and sparked a movement that changed women’s wrestling forever.
8. Jimmy Uso betrays Jey Uso (2023) – Just when it seemed like The Bloodline was completely broken, Jimmy Uso shocked the world by turning on his twin brother Jey Uso at SummerSlam, keeping the family feud alive.
9. Nikki Bella turns on Brie Bella (2014) – “I wish you had died in the womb!” Nikki Bella’s betrayal of Brie Bella was one of the most savage moments in WWE’s history, turning the twin sisters into bitter enemies.
10. Triple H screws Daniel Bryan (2013) – After overcoming John Cena to become WWE Champion at SummerSlam, Daniel Bryan had his dreams crushed when Triple H hit him with a Pedigree, allowing Randy Orton to cash in Money in the Bank.

The full Top 30 list includes betrayals from legendary superstars like CM Punk, Eddie Guerrero, Batista, Ric Flair, Finn Bálor, and Tommaso Ciampa, but none of them ranked higher than Cena’s shocking betrayal of Cody Rhodes.

The debate has already taken over social media, with fans arguing over whether Cena’s heel turn truly deserves the top spot or if moments like Hogan’s NWO turn or Seth Rollins’ Shield betrayal were even bigger.