5 Shocking Things Hulk Hogan Just Said About John Cena’s Heel Turn And The GOAT Debate
The world of professional wrestling has been buzzing since John Cena’s shocking heel turn at the 2025 WWE Elimination Chamber, and now, the original standard-bearer of the industry, Hulk Hogan, has finally weighed in with a brutally honest—and somewhat conflicting—assessment. Hogan, a man whose own heel turn at WCW’s Bash at the Beach in 1996 remains one of the most iconic moments in history, offered both high praise and pointed criticism of Cena's dramatic character shift, revealing the true complexities of the relationship between the two biggest babyfaces of their respective generations. As of December 22, 2025, Hogan’s latest comments cut right to the heart of the "GOAT" debate and the legacy of the "Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect" mantra.
The "Hulkster" didn't hold back, diving deep into the psychology of the turn, the comparison to his own legendary run, and the potential impact on the upcoming WrestleMania 41 main event. His perspective is crucial, as the two men are often compared as the biggest box office draws and merchandise movers in the history of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Hogan’s analysis provides a fresh, expert viewpoint on a pivotal moment in wrestling history, examining why Cena's turn was both "one of the best" he’s ever seen and yet, why he "expected more" from the execution. His comments solidify the historical parallel between "Hulkamania" and "Cenation."
Hulk Hogan: The Immortal One Profile and Biography
Real Name: Terry Gene Bollea
Born: August 11, 1953 (Age 72 as of 2025)
Birthplace: Augusta, Georgia, U.S.A.
Resides: Clearwater, Florida, U.S.A.
Debut: 1977
Signature Moves: Atomic Leg Drop, Big Boot, Gorilla Press Slam
Career Highlights:
- 12-time World Champion (6-time WWF/WWE Champion, 6-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion)
- WWE Hall of Fame Inductee (2005, 2020)
- Two-time Royal Rumble Winner (1990, 1991)
- The face of the WWF's "Golden Era" and the leader of the New World Order (nWo) faction in WCW.
- Credited with popularizing professional wrestling globally in the 1980s, sparking the "Hulkamania" phenomenon.
Hogan’s career spanned five decades, making him an undeniable cultural icon whose influence is still felt across sports entertainment and pop culture. His shift from the ultimate babyface to the villainous "Hollywood Hogan" is the benchmark against which all major heel turns, including John Cena’s, are measured.
1. The Conflicting View: Why Cena's Heel Turn Was "The Best" But Still "Fell Short"
Hulk Hogan's reaction to John Cena's heel turn at the 2025 Elimination Chamber was a study in contrasts, offering both immense praise for the concept and a critical eye on the execution. On one hand, Hogan called it "one of the best heel turns I've seen in a long, long time," noting that "all the major players were involved," and specifically praising the involvement of The Rock. This high praise from the man who defined the industry is a huge endorsement for Cena's new direction.
However, the praise came with a significant caveat. Hogan admitted he "expected more" from the character shift. This disappointment stems from his unique perspective as the original, long-running superhero of the wrestling world. Hogan emphasized that Cena was his "favorite wrestler" because Cena had a run as the top babyface—the sole standard-bearer—that was unmatched in its longevity. Hogan stated, "I grinded for years, brother, and there was no Rock, no Stone Cold. There was only me for 20-plus years." This implies that Cena's position as the undisputed top star for so long should have led to an even more monumental, industry-shaking turn.
The "Hulkster" was essentially comparing Cena's turn to his own transformation into "Hollywood Hogan" in 1996, a move that launched the nWo and fundamentally changed the business. Hogan's criticism suggests that while the moment was great, it didn't quite reach the seismic, culture-shifting level of his own turn against "Hulkamania." The complexity of his comments highlights a generational tension: acknowledging Cena's greatness while subtly asserting the unparalleled impact of his own era.
2. The True Measure of a Babyface: Make-A-Wish and the "Real" Legacy
One of the most profound aspects of Hogan's commentary focused not on the in-ring action, but on the charitable work that defined both of their careers. Hogan drew a direct parallel between himself and Cena, calling Cena a strong babyface who "saw more Make-A-Wish kids than anybody's ever seen." This comparison is a nod to the shared legacy of using their celebrity for good, a crucial part of the babyface persona for both "Hulkamania" and "Cenation."
John Cena currently holds the Guinness World Record for granting the most wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, having granted over 650 wishes. Hogan's acknowledgment of this record is a significant validation, suggesting that Cena's commitment to the children and the fans is the true foundation of his legendary status. Hogan's own involvement with charity work throughout the 1980s and 90s was extensive, making him uniquely qualified to appreciate the depth of Cena's commitment.
By emphasizing the Make-A-Wish record, Hogan subtly frames the heel turn as more than just a wrestling storyline. It’s a betrayal of one of the most beloved and altruistic figures in entertainment history. The darker, more cynical "heel" version of Cena is so shocking precisely because of the genuine, decades-long connection he built with his audience, especially the youngest fans. This emotional investment, driven by the "Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect" motto, is what makes the turn such a massive storyline asset for WWE, potentially setting up a huge payoff at WrestleMania 41.
3. The GOAT Debate: Hogan's Role in Cena's Unprecedented Run
The conversation between Hulk Hogan and John Cena inevitably leads to the perennial "GOAT" (Greatest of All Time) debate in professional wrestling. While CM Punk has recently argued that Cena is the GOAT due to his consistency and overall impact over the last two decades, Hogan's comments provide a historical context that positions him as the foundational figure.
Hogan’s belief that Cena was his favorite wrestler because he didn't have the same level of competition at the top—no immediate "Stone Cold Steve Austin" or "The Rock"—is a double-edged sword. It praises Cena for shouldering the main event burden for so long, but it also suggests that the landscape Hogan created made Cena's dominance possible. Hogan's run in the 1980s established the template for the mega-superstar, the larger-than-life figure who transcended wrestling to become a mainstream icon.
In essence, Hogan views himself as the pioneer who laid the groundwork for Cena's success. Without "Hulkamania" and the global expansion of the WWF, the "Cenation" era might not have reached the same heights. The two men represent different eras, but they are intrinsically linked by their role as the ultimate company man and the ultimate babyface. Cena's heel turn, therefore, is not just a shift for him, but a final, dramatic break from the "Hulkamania" blueprint that dominated the industry for decades. The debate will rage on, but Hogan's latest words confirm that Cena's legacy is now officially in a new, darker chapter, one that Hogan himself helped write through his own historic villainous turn.
The potential for a memorable match at WrestleMania 41, driven by this monumental character change, is the ultimate payoff for this storyline. Hogan's analysis confirms that the stakes are higher than just a championship; they involve the legacy of two of the biggest names in sports entertainment history.
Key Entities and Topical Authority:
- John Cena's heel turn (2025)
- WWE Elimination Chamber (2025)
- WrestleMania 41
- Hulkamania
- Cenation
- Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Guinness World Record (Cena)
- "Hollywood Hogan"
- WCW Bash at the Beach (1996)
- New World Order (nWo)
- The Rock
- Stone Cold Steve Austin
- Ric Flair
- CM Punk
- Terry Gene Bollea
- World Wrestling Federation (WWF)
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- GOAT Debate
- Hustle, Loyalty, and Respect
- Golden Era
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