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We Got a John Cena Heel Turn Before GTA 6 — and He’s in on the Meme

By AvaMar 16,2025

John Cena's surprise heel turn at WWE Elimination Chamber wasn't just a wrestling event; it became a meme, perfectly timed with the ongoing saga of Grand Theft Auto 6's delayed release. The 12-year wait for GTA 6 has spawned countless jokes about things happening before its arrival, and Cena's heel turn—his first in two decades—became a prime example. The beloved, family-friendly Cena, the Make-A-Wish record holder, unexpectedly embraced the villainous role, beating GTA 6 to the punch.

John Cena as a WWE villain
For the first time in over 20 years, John Cena is a WWE bad guy. Photo by Rich Freeda/WWE via Getty Images.

Fully embracing the meme, Cena posted an image of GTA 6 and its 2025 release window on Instagram to his 21 million followers. This wasn't a GTA 6 casting announcement (though that would be exciting!), but a playful nod to the ongoing online joke.

Despite Cena's clearly meme-driven post, speculation persists about a cryptic connection to the game. Given the intense fan speculation surrounding GTA 6's release date and the anticipated second trailer, this isn't entirely surprising.

While John Cena's villainous return predates GTA 6's release, Take-Two Interactive's commitment to a Fall 2025 launch window means the wait is almost over.

In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer attempted to explain the staggered release of GTA 6—hitting PS5 and Xbox first, then PC—urging PC gamers to be patient.

When Will GTA 6 Hit PC? -----------------------
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Further updates on GTA 6 include Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick's response to concerns about the future of GTA Online after GTA 6's release.

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