And then what do you do with Cody after losing his big rematch? Begin to sow seeds for the Cody turn? Have him turn with someone else, that would be much less impactful? Run it back a third time, with Cena's limited matchups remaining and it being played out by then?
It just made more sense for Cena to be a total sellout heel, completely new Hollywood look, Rock does at least one appearance post Elimination Chamber with Cena to set in their alliance. Then do the slowest double ever, with Cody taking losses to other top carders and doubting himself. Cena can still slowly wake up to the fans again like he did, can still do the greatest hits in the meantime with other opps. Milk it to December for the rematch where Cody finally turns. Cody is then set up for an absolutely villainous hero killer run, and Cena ends his career babyface and can get full flowers for his career.
They had the premise of something great at Elimination Chamber, and whether Rock is there or not, they still could have pulled off a beautiful double turn, just Triple H fukked up the month to month, the week to week, the day to day. His pen is garbage.