Hulk Hogan: John Cena’s WWE heel turn ‘one of the best’ I’ve seen in a long time

Hulk Hogan says WWE “did it right” with John Cena’s heel turn at WWE Elimination Chamber.

Many fans have compared Cena aligning with The Rock to Hogan being revealed as the NWO’s third man at WCW Bash at the Beach 1996. Speaking with The Undisputed’s Justin Barrasso, Hogan called Cena’s turn “one of the best heel turns” he’s seen in a long time.

“Well, we definitely can see Cena now, can’t we?” Hogan said. “We know who he is now. He’s not signing autographs or doing what he’s been doing. That’s bigger than a wrestling angle.”

“It’s one of the best heel turns I’ve seen in a long, long time,” Hogan continued. “All the major players were involved. I can’t say enough about The Rock, too—he was incredible. They did it right, I’ll tell you that.”

Hogan also reflected on watching Cody Rhodes and The Rock’s fathers wrestle, as well as his early days driving for Rocky Johnson.

“I grew up watching Dusty Rhodes and Rocky Johnson,” Hogan said. “Before I started training, back when I was playing in a rock and roll band, I used to pick up Rocky Johnson and drive him to shows. I was such a fan—I’d borrow my girlfriend’s Torino and drive him all over. And when Rocky said, ‘You better get me to the Imperial Room before it closes,’ I’d haul butt to get him there in time.”

Hogan has not appeared live on WWE programming since receiving a negative reaction at the Netflix premiere on January 6. He later told Pat McAfee that he expected the fans to respond negatively to him on the show.

Hogan’s Real American Beer company is also facing a lawsuit from an Akron, Ohio, woman. Michelle Harlukowicz alleges that Hogan or one of his fellow promoters at a Real American Beer event last August threw a can of beer into the crowd, striking her and causing an injury that required 10 stitches.

Cody Rhodes is set to address Cena’s heel turn on WWE SmackDown this Friday.