Ric Flair Says John Cena Could Never Be a True Heel – Ric Flair doesn’t believe John Cena could ever convincingly portray a villain in pro wrestling—and for good reason.
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, the two-time WWE Hall of Famer explained why Cena, despite his popularity and longevity, isn’t cut out to play a heel like Hulk Hogan once did in WCW. Flair said Cena’s inherently good-natured personality makes it nearly impossible for fans to turn on him, no matter the storyline.
“Well, it’s hard to measure the two, but I love the thing with John,” Flair said when comparing Cena’s situation to Hogan’s infamous heel turn in 1996. “But the thing about John, John is Ricky Steamboat. There’s nothing bad about John. You know, some guys like Jack Brisco and that, and Ricky Steamboat, Sting and all that, they just can’t be a heel. And John, as great as he is, all that, he’s just not a bad guy if you can be such a good guy. Does that make [sense]?”
Flair acknowledged that Hogan was able to make his heel turn work because of the backstage competition and years of clawing for the top spot.
“Hulk could be a prick. But it’s from all those years of battling for a spot,” Flair added. “You don’t think Roddy Piper wouldn’t? I mean, I know for a fact. I mean, everybody wanted Hulk’s spot, but hey, man, it’s a testament to who he is that he was able to go through it.”
Flair’s comments add to the long-standing debate over whether Cena could have succeeded in a heel role.
Ric Flair Says John Cena Could Never Be a True Heel
