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The Kansas City Chiefs, under the leadership of Patrick Mahomes, have completed an extraordinary journey—one that mirrors the career arc of WWE legend John Cena. From being adored by fans to becoming a polarizing force in their respective domains, both Mahomes and Cena have experienced the double-edged sword of sustained success. WWE superstar Seth Rollins recently drew attention to this striking parallel, highlighting how the Chiefs' rise to dominance has led to a shift in public perception, much like Cena’s transformation in WWE.
From Fan Favorites to Polarizing Giants
When Patrick Mahomes took over as starter for the Kansas City Chiefs, he had arrived as a messiah to rid the realm of the monotony of Tom Brady’s dominance with the New England Patriots. Flair, creativity, and the crazy ability to make the impossible possible was like a fresh gust of air to football fans across the globe. Mahomes was like a breath of fresh air—a new face capable of an unpredictable spin to the game.
But then again, history tells us that long-standing success breeds much resentment. Seven straight AFC Championship matches over the last seven years, five Super Bowl outings, and three Lombardi trophies later, one could say that while their dominance may have turned them into the NFL's most hated team, they are not likely to be loved by all. In their quest for history and an unprecedented three-peat in 2025, the Eagles bagged a painful loss for the Chiefs, humbling them 40-22.
Seth Rollins perfectly captured this changing dynamic, stating, “The Chiefs have had a big heel turn over the past few years. They were America’s sweethearts forever and now everybody hates them.”
John Cena’s Story: Success Breeds Contempt
In parallel, John Cena's journey through WWE has been equally remarkable. The golden boy of professional wrestling for the last several years, Cena has been a 16-time WWE champion, the main event of several WrestleManias, and a mainstream star who has taken WWE into the modern era. First, fans adored him. Kids idolized his "never give up" mantra, while casual viewers viewed him as the face of the company.
As time went on and Cena maintained his dominance, there became a faction of the WWE fandom that grew tired of him. The same audience that once cheered Cena booed against him with ever-increasing fervor, chanting "Cena sucks!" His success had become an argument against him; older fans wanted change and new faces at the top of the card.
Cena eventually addressed this long-standing criticism during his shocking heel turn, where he delivered one of the most raw and emotionally charged promos in WWE history. He said:
“You don’t get a new look, because you dress like me, you idiots. You don’t get new music, that is my voice on my song, your time is finally up and my time is now!”
Cena’s frustration reached its peak when he declared:
“For 25 years, I’ve been a victim of an abusive relationship. All you do is be hurtful, and bully me into being your puppet, and expecting me to do it with a smile on my face. No more! I am not a babyface. I am not a heel. I am a human being. You have been awful to me.”
This sentiment resonates deeply with the experience of Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. What was once admiration for their meteoric rise has now turned into frustration, as fans yearn for a shake-up in the NFL’s pecking order.
The Chiefs: NFL’s New Villains?
Much like Cena, the Chiefs have unintentionally become the “heels” of their sport. Fans no longer view them as the exciting underdogs who dethroned the Patriots but as an unstoppable dynasty that denies other teams a shot at glory. The only way to alter this narrative would be through a decline in performance—an outcome that seems unlikely given Mahomes’ sustained brilliance and Andy Reid’s tactical prowess.
However, the Chiefs may take a page out of Cena’s playbook by embracing the hate. Dominating despite the negativity, turning criticism into motivation, and using the backlash as fuel for greater success could be their path forward.
