John Cena shocked the entire wrestling world on Saturday by turning heel on Cody Rhodes to align himself with the Final Boss, The Rock. WWE managed to surprise a fanbase that has been calling for a Cena heel turn for years by doing it during Cena's retirement run.
The ending to Elimination Chamber will go down as one of the most shocking and important moments in wrestling history. WWE fans are left with more questions than answers as a heel Cena will take on Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 41.
Saturday night's jarring conclusion has made this week's Monday Night RAW a must watch. Fans want answers for Cena's actions and are hoping to get those answers sooner rather than later. Unfortunately for those fans, though, Cena is going to lean into his new heel tendencies and keep the WWE universe waiting.
John Cena's status for WWE Monday Night RAW, March 3:
Barring a seismic surprise, Cena will not be in the building in Buffalo, New York, to explain his actions. The Rock said after Elimination Chamber that Cena is flying back to South Africa to continue filming a movie and it does not appear that is a work.
RAW general manager Adam Pearce posted a video on social media on Sunday, hyping up the upcoming card, which is headlined by a Women's World Championship match between Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky. Pearce revealed several superstars who will be in attendance, with Cena not being one of them.
WWE fans won't even get a chance to see Cody Rhodes on Monday after the vicious turn. Rhodes shared his March schedule prior to Elimination Chamber with his first advertised appearance on Friday's episode of SmackDown.
Could Cena's trip to Africa be a quick turnaround with him returning to our TV screens on Friday? Perhaps. But with WWE leaning into this heel, corporate champion persona, it may be some time until we see Cena back on our screens again.
Rhodes also isn't scheduled for March 10's episode of Monday Night RAW, so it seems unlikely Cena will be there, either. Rhodes is scheduled to appear on March 14's episode of SmackDown from Barcelona as WWE starts a European tour before WrestleMania.
Cena is advertised for the March 17, 24, and 31 editions of Monday Night RAW from Europe. Whether it be on SmackDown on the 14th or RAW three days later, Cena's first appearance on WWE TV after his heel turn in Canada may very well happen across the pond.