Chris Jericho Podcast: John Cena reveals heat with The Rock, possibly turning heel, dealing with "Cena Suck" chants, more

Cena admits real heat with The Rock

They talk about how you need to stand out and have an identity to make it. Cena says once you have that, fans will hate you or love you. Cena says he watches NXT when he can. He says the most interesting thing about NXT is the steam that the brand is building, talking about the talents being put in front of live events and more. Cena says he loves it when it's sink or swim with the audience and when they let you have it. He loves the emotion of it.

Cena admits there was real heat with The Rock when he first came in to work with him. Cena says he wanted it to be Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James but Rock had a different vision. He talks about working with Rock and never caring about what Rock said about him, Cena just was always worried about having a chance to jab back. Cena says Rock was pissed when Cena called him out for having a promo written on his arm.

Cena dodges a question on if Rock was actually pissed in Cena's face backstage. Cena says it was always kept professional between the two and that's the one thing he respected the most. Cena says he took a jar of moonshine into Rock's locker room in Miami and told him not to take anything he said personal. Cena says he didn't want to make Rock foolish by calling him out, Cena was just trying to step up.

On the fans chanting “Cena sucks”

Jericho asks Cena how he dealt with the "Cena sucks" chants every night. Cena says he just let the product speak for itself. Cena says he became genuine and developed from the hip-hop character to who he really is. Jericho asks Cena why he think fans chant "Cena sucks." Cena thinks they want something different, something more.

Jericho brings up people always asking if Cena will turn heel. Cena says it was briefly discussed during the feud with The Rock. He indicated he was excited and even recorded a new theme and had new gear. Cena says if it happened, he would have thought it was great to show that different side but it's so rewarding to be aspirational, to be inspirational.

Will be ready to turn heel if WWE has someone for the kids

Cena says you might want him to be a bad guy but the 8-year-old in the front row lights up at who he is now. Cena jokes that he's the biggest heel in the company with how much he gets booed. Cena says if he did turn heel, they could come up with an explanation for the kids. Cena would be open to turning heel but he hopes WWE would have someone ready to be there for the kids.

Cena talks about traveling with Michael Cole and Mark Carrano.

Jericho asks what his favorite match is and he says the next one. Cena feels his first match with The Rock fit the year long build. Cena says that match was better than he expected. Jericho asks about his relationship with Rock ow. Cena says Rock is awesome and always has these gems of advice to help him. Jericho asks about Cena's future. Cena says he takes it one day at a time but when he's a step slower and can't do it... they embrace and Jericho plugs his upcoming interview with Vickie Guerrero on PodcastOne.

Here is the full interview segment: