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Post by Emerald Enthusiast on Jul 11, 2022 23:33:40 GMT -5
As an actual person, Cena seems like a gem. It's well-documented that he's worked wonders for Make-A-Wish, and he's avoided the behind-the-scenes scandals that have plagued most other wrestling megastars. In that aspect, the business was lucky to have him.
As a gimmick, I'll always view him as a missed opportunity. WWE lost something vital when he became the face of the company. After he became the sanitized, goofier version of the Dr. of Thuganomics, a significant portion of the crowd turned on him. He was never the four-quadrant star that guys like Bruno, Hogan, Austin, and Rock were. For 10 years, I watched crowds either be divided by the #1 babyface, or outright cheer his opponent. That is proof-positive that something was dysfunctional.
I still believe that Cena could have been salvaged had Vince not taken offense that so many fans didn't want "his" guy to be the centerpiece. Had Cena's character been retooled and Vince insisted that Cena work on his timing and cartoonish promos, we might have seen a guy who united the crowds and at least partially diminished WWE's ratings nosedive that began in the mid-2000s.
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Post by TKO Propagandist on Jul 15, 2022 14:06:00 GMT -5
Arguably the greatest to ever do it
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Post by greenjack1992 on Jul 16, 2022 13:45:50 GMT -5
I was a fan of him from 2003-2005, was sick of him from 2005-2010 and then started finding him entertaining again in 2011. This about sums it up for me as well.
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Post by BoJack Hogan on Jul 18, 2022 20:04:40 GMT -5
Best in the business post 2002. I’d put him below Hogan and Austin, but I might actually put him ahead of Rock. He’s the undeniable face of the RA era and beyond. It’s a very different business than it was in the 80’s and 90’s, and he’s the perfect guy for the 2000’s and 2010’s. I don’t think Roman will ever reach Cena status because Cena was a workhorse and Roman, no offense to him, just isn’t that guy. He’s a great heel, but a terrible babyface. Cena was great at both.
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Post by BSR on Jul 19, 2022 18:54:46 GMT -5
Trash.
Only good thing he's done is put some folks over.
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Post by k5 on Jul 19, 2022 21:30:07 GMT -5
As an actual person, Cena seems like a gem. It's well-documented that he's worked wonders for Make-A-Wish, and he's avoided the behind-the-scenes scandals that have plagued most other wrestling megastars. In that aspect, the business was lucky to have him. As a gimmick, I'll always view him as a missed opportunity. WWE lost something vital when he became the face of the company. After he became the sanitized, goofier version of the Dr. of Thuganomics, a significant portion of the crowd turned on him. He was never the four-quadrant star that guys like Bruno, Hogan, Austin, and Rock were. For 10 years, I watched crowds either be divided by the #1 babyface, or outright cheer his opponent. That is proof-positive that something was dysfunctional. I still believe that Cena could have been salvaged had Vince not taken offense that so many fans didn't want "his" guy to be the centerpiece. Had Cena's character been retooled and Vince insisted that Cena work on his timing and cartoonish promos, we might have seen a guy who united the crowds and at least partially diminished WWE's ratings nosedive that began in the mid-2000s. this sums it up nicely
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Post by Nivro™ on Jul 21, 2022 12:34:47 GMT -5
I was never a fan but can't deny what he's done for that company and the role/name he made himself. Easily the 4th member of the WWE mount Rushmore with Sammartino, Hogan and Austin.
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judas
Superstar
Joined on: Feb 20, 2020 7:42:06 GMT -5
Posts: 641
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Post by judas on Jul 22, 2022 16:05:33 GMT -5
Good until 06/07.
Boring ever since.
Overall good person apart from that weird Chinese thing he did.
Buried A LOT of up and coming talent and killed their momentum stone dead.
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Rocky Balboa
Main Eventer
Down bad for Rhea Ripley
Joined on: Jan 1, 2021 6:00:02 GMT -5
Posts: 2,155
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Post by Rocky Balboa on Jul 22, 2022 16:19:09 GMT -5
He's alright. I enjoyed his 2014 run the most I think.
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Post by GreyHaze:Big Bad Booty Daddy on Jul 23, 2022 10:59:32 GMT -5
Never really cared for him. Maybe in his first early years, when he came out with the rapper gimmick. I do appreciate his work ethic, dedication and calmly manners when it comes to dealing with things though. Who am I kidding? I’d rather take John Cena over the current product.
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Post by hitmancmedge on Nov 6, 2022 12:36:53 GMT -5
I just heard that he just granted his 650th make a wish. As busy as the guy is with everything, he is still out there granting wishes. Dude is crazy wonderful human being.
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Post by ¡Twist Of Cinnamon! on Nov 8, 2022 4:05:55 GMT -5
Top ten, argument can be made for top five. Hes one of those guys you know is great but don't fully appreciate until hes gone.
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Post by alanpartridge on Nov 10, 2022 12:49:09 GMT -5
Best ever. Completey underrated. Gave PPV's a big match feel due to his dedication and intensity.
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Teddy Bearburg
Mid-Carder
Joined on: Oct 5, 2022 15:01:46 GMT -5
Posts: 392
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Post by Teddy Bearburg on Nov 15, 2022 0:47:09 GMT -5
2003-Royal Rumble 2005 I thought he was great!
In the build to the JBL match I thought his personality was irritating.
2005-2008 I couldn't stand him. I thought his personality was very annoying and forced. Got tired of the LOLCENAWINS booking at the time.
2009-Present I just stopped thinking about him. Like stopped having an opinion. Like I became numb to him. Seeing what a psychopath he was on Total Bellas made me like him a bit more. But his after WWE stuff, he seems so inauthentic. Like he seems like a robot trying to be a celebrity.
You can't deny what a star he was, the money he brought in, but in my personal opinion I started as a fan, got tired real fast, then became numb to the schtick.
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Post by JC Motors on Nov 15, 2022 8:11:16 GMT -5
He's done so much for the business
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