The Rock says John Cena isn’t a bad guy, but a good guy ‘telling the truth’

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been thrilled with how the John Cena heel turn has gone thus far and addressed some of the criticisms Cena has got about his new character.

Talking to Pat McAfee Tuesday where he revealed why he wasn’t involved in the WrestleMania 41 angle between Cena and Rhodes after Cena’s heel turn at Elimination Chamber, Johnson said that Cena “legitimizing himself as being, without question, the G.O.A.T. Period.” with his 17th World title win.

“The way John at the end of the night raised the title…that was the bottom line, that was the North Star. I think he’s going to go on to have this insane run as a heel,” he said.

Johnson said he liked to think he has his hand on the pulse of fan sentiment and loves how Cena’s heel run has connected with the fans, but has seen some chatter about how he’s “playing a bad guy” and don’t believe it.

“Here’s the thing. You don’t have to believe he’s a bad guy. Why not? He’s not a bad guy, he’s a good guy. I’ve known him for 20 years,” he said. “He’s not a bad guy — he’s telling the truth now.”

That truth, according to Johnson, is based in how Cena was both cheered and booed for 25 years of his career which is “a hard psychological place to be.”

Johnson said after the Elimination Chamber turn, he told Cena that he gives him so much credit and hoped he was exhilarated by the opportunity because of how much guts it takes to put everything on the line.

“There’s no blueprint for a heel John Cena,” he said. “I thought he was brilliant and I can’t wait to see to see this heel run for the rest of the year.”