John Cena posts first TikTok reel with ‘Basic Thuganomics’ after turning heel, and fans hilariously demand a better version

John Cena recently posted a TikTok video of his landmark heel turn at WWE's Elimination Chamber event. The video is accompanied by his classic Basic Thuganomics, a hallmark of his early days, representing his hard-edged, hip-hop-influenced persona.

John Cena reposted a clip of himself exiting the ring with The Rock and Travis Scott on TikTok.

Hardcore wrestling fans are inevitably losing their minds. Casual fans, though, who know him as the guy in jorts who makes dreams come true and appears in weirdly great comedies, are also included.

The fact that John Cena—THE greatest babyface of all time—has just turned heel this far along in his career has everyone shooketh.

And to rub it in the wound, the man went on and made a TikTok out of it.

One X user (@TeilMargaret) joked:

"I don’t think we can afford thugonomics in this economy."

If you didn't get the joke—it's Thug plus Economics. And right now, the economy ain’t looking too Thug.

Another user (@freebasetyler) suggested:

"No he needs something new."

He’s bringing back a classic, not launching a startup.

A user (@sincere_boy_22) went on to say:

"I’d love Doctor of Thugonomics to be a little more serious. 😆"

What, like an Ivy League version?

One more user (@KopiteSZN) proposed:

"Need something new man. Like how rock came up with the final boss gimmick. Come on, put on your creative hat and do something different which will be generational."

Don’t fix what ain’t broke.

A comment from a user (@KingKane75) read:

"Biggest heel move is keeping that hair. It’s time to let that go man."

Cena’s hair is still screaming ‘trustworthy dad.’ If he’s serious about being a villain, he needs a meaner cut.

A user (@JTHELIZKING) declared:

"Nah we need that new heel theme, I’m not accepting anything else 😂"

Thuganomics 2.0 or this user resorts to a riot.

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John Cena's Cryptic social media game is more powerful than ever

Even before the Elimination Chamber took place, John Cena was setting the stage. He tweeted a picture of Stone Cold Steve Austin. Fans thought this was his way of hinting that he was about to throw hands and make a statement at WrestleMania 41.

And he did.

But John Cena wasn't finished being cryptic. After his dramatic switch, he put up the GTA 6 logo on Instagram... with no explanation.

Fans went wild instantly, making jokes that Cena's betrayal was taking place before GTA 6 was even released. Because, in all seriousness, folks believed aliens were going to come first.

Cena's Instagram has been a treasure-trove of pop culture hints recently, referencing Harvey Dent (The Dark Knight) and Player 456 (Squid Game).

If you’re catching a theme here, it’s duality and transformation.

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John Cena’s heel turn two decades in the making

John Cena has been WWE’s ultimate good guy for 20 years.

He’s been the poster child for the Never Give Up mantra, a record-breaking Make-A-Wish granter, and the guy who’s been cheered since the mid-2000s.

But at Elimination Chamber, he snapped.

Cena turned on Cody Rhodes, WWE’s golden boy, and joined forces with The Rock, of all people.

For longtime fans, this is huge.

Cena never turned heel at the peak of his WWE career—despite countless calls for it. But now, the villain arc has begun, and it’s got everyone wondering: What’s next?