WWE: The First 6 Potential Victims of John Cena's Heel Turn

I know what you're thinking.

A John Cena heel turn is not going to happen.

WWE stands to lose too much from such an event, because no matter what anyone says, he is their ultimate clean cut hero, and everything flows through him.

Kind of like the Force through Luke Skywalker.

Random Star Wars reference aside, I must say that yes, I have heard every argument against Cena switching sides and playing for the black hats. I have heard them and, I will admit, there are valid points to be made concerning John remaining baby-face though a good portion of the crowd hate his guts.

But, if the timing was right and if WWE went the direction that many fans believe they will never go, then one thing is for certain—it would be a huge moment for John and for the company.

Of course, there is a big difference between making a turn and making a successful turn.  

As I see it, if John Cena were to join the dark side, he would have to make an impact on a few select individuals in order to be taken seriously in his new role.

And by "make an impact," I mean physically assault.  And by "a few select," I mean six.

So, here they are, the six unfortunate souls who would bear the brunt of the long-awaited, monumental, John Cena heel turn.

In case you're wondering, no, the Rock is not on this list. Does anyone really believe that he would headline WrestleMania 28, only to be laid out by Captain America in camo shorts?

You wouldn't catch Luke Skywalker wearing camo shorts. Just saying.

6-Roddy Piper

The first opportunity that the WWE Universe has to hear the reason why John Cena has abandoned them could very well be Piper's Pit.  

After all, the last time these two men stood across the ring from each other, Roddy Piper was Rick James and John was Charlie Murphy.

"What did the five fingers say to the face? Slap!"

If anyone could get to the truth, it would be Piper, the man who is very good at getting the heart of the matter, the same man who smacked the taste out of John's mouth. He would, understandably, be anxious to hear why John chose the road that he did.

And John would be anxious to return the slap.

The theory here is very simple. If you have a guy who has been very successful at being baby face, then you need to feed some very popular baby faces to him when he turns heel.

The entire crowd needs to hate him, not just half. Or three quarters. Whatever it is.

5-Hornswoggle

So, what's John Cena have to do with Hornswoggle?

Nothing. And, it doesn't matter. Why?

Because Hornswoggle is an easy target. Because, despite how many fans claim they hate him, there is no denying that every time he is mauled by a full-grown worker, he is the ultimate object of sympathy.  

To attack Hornswoggle is a ridiculously cheap way to get heat. It's also a guaranteed way to prove that you are beyond evil, you are reprehensible.  

The new and freshly heeled-out John Cena would have no problem running through Hornswoggle as if he was not there. And he would likely love every minute of it.

Right now, Cena is all about fighting back, being in the underdog role, representing that never-give-up, never-back-down attitude.  

Imagine later, when Cena is confronted with the very essence of that fighting spirit he embodies in Hornswoggle and then destroys him.

4-Eve Torres

Now, this is some Attitude Era-type of violence here.

The days of the Dudley's putting Divas through tables may be over, but there is no doubting the impact that seeing an innocent woman menaced by a vicious heel has on the crowd.

Everyone may be in on the storyline. But every time a spot like that happens, the chorus of boos in response is deafening.

Eve has been connected to John via Zack Ryder for some time now. It only makes sense that Cena would lash out at her if she were to be foolish enough to confront him.

To be clear, we're not talking about assault with a deadly weapon here. No table, no chair, no kendo stick required.  

Nothing but the obligatory confrontation in the corner, followed by the Attitude Adjustment in the middle of the ring.

And, before I receive any hate mail, I assure you that I am not condoning violence against women. The fact is my wife can swing the #%** out of a chair (thank you, Undertaker) and I bruise easy.

The point here is that after a spot in which John Cena attacks a helpless Diva, there is little doubt that he would be well on his way to becoming the most hated man in WWE.

Is it cheap heat? Yes.  

Does it work? You better believe it.

3-Zack Ryder

What if Captain America had betrayed his sidekick Bucky?

It never happened in the comic book world. But in WWE, the red, white and blue boy scout could very well target his BFF, Zack Ryder, in an extremely violent fashion.

A lot of work has been done to establish the fact that Cena likes and respects Ryder. So much so that at times it seems as though he's going a little overboard with the bromance.

Perhaps the effort that has gone into this particular friendship has been that overtly obvious for a reason. Perhaps it is a bit of foreshadowing, to make an eventual heel turn all the more meaningful?

Zack Ryder did not have a career until he took his character to YouTube and made fans take notice. He did not have a relevant role on the air without the rub from John Cena, who serves as his primary inspiration.

Fans love Ryder, it's because of them that he has a real opportunity to shine in WWE.

A good number of those same fans hate Cena, and the prospect of Ryder possibly being pushed back down just to put John over would provide all the heat needed for a monumental heel turn.

2- Jim Ross

You knew this was coming, right?

Jim Ross, everyone's favorite commentator and arguably the best of all time, is one of those WWE personalities who is revered by fans worldwide.

He is, more than anyone else on this list, the most sympathetic figure in the company. To pick on Jim Ross is to make an enemy out of every fan in attendance.

It's a tried and true method of getting over as a heel, one that has worked for many different guys over many different years.

Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Kane and Mark Henry have all gotten over in a new heel role or gained more heat as a heel due to either a verbally or physically attack of Jim Ross.

There is no doubt that Ross is greatly respected by the WWE faithful, and the argument has been made that he should not be used in this way. The truth is, I myself wrote a column stating my belief that perhaps that argument has some merit.

But I also wrote that Ross is a professional, in on the joke and that he is willing to do what it takes for the good of the business.

Jim has been a vocal John Cena supporter and I believe that he would be more than willing to help establish Cena as the next great heel.

1- CM Punk

At one time, John Cena was the undisputed top baby-face of WWE. He had the crowd, they followed him with great fervor and loved everything about him.

Seems like a hundred years ago, doesn't it?

The fact is, CM Punk is the Superstar who now holds the spot that Cena used to inhabit.  

He can do no wrong in the eyes of the fans and his meteoric rise to the top has been one that many have wanted for a long time.

Punk is, for all intents and purposes, the face of the company. Imagine how a heel John Cena would take issue with that fact.

Sneak attacking Punk would be John's way of reclaiming what he believes is rightfully his. I can just hear John's promo on Punk now.

"Look at you. Standin' there, staring at me, you think you have me all figured out, right? You think I buckled under the pressure, took the easy way out, turned my back on the fans. Truth is, I did what everyone wanted me to do. I did what you wanted me to do. And, you still have the nerve to judge me?

You once said that I was the New York Yankees. And, you know, you were right. Fact is, it's good to be on top. I have nothing to apologize for and I don't need these fans. They need me.

They are here for me, I ain't here for them. Without me, there is no WWE.  And without you in my way, I can get back to doing what I do best: run the show."

Bring back the heel Cena, WWE. It could be epic.