AwakenTheDemon

Every time I see John Cena on TV, I'm reminded of how people like to draw comparisons between himself and The Rock. However, as much as I'd like to think that Cena is better than people give him credit for, there's always something that stops me from making those Rock comparisons. His delivery on the mic is corny, his promos do nothing to stand out, and his ring work is average. Sure, he's put on good matches, but rarely has he been able to carry a match on his own when placed with a mediocre worker. Moreover, his Superman gimmick is getting tired -- at least The Rock was able to reinvent himself multiple times while maintaining his core gimmick.

John Cena has just gotten to be annoying. Though I understand his value as the poster child of WWE's current PG era (which is slowly shifting towards PG-13), they need to do something fresh or else the fans will stop caring about him, especially as the kids get older.

I remember when the fans were getting tired of The Rock around 2002. Then, he came back from his time off and turned Hollywood in 2003, becoming perhaps the top heel that year. Cena needs to do something similar (not necessarily turn heel -- though I would love it) or else the fans will simply turn on him yet again.

I agree for the most part, aside from his ringwork it doesn't impress me at all. Just like his character, it's entirely predictable. A typical Cena match goes something like this: Bell rings, Cena and his opponent have equal footing for a minute or two. However, his opponent gains momentum and he's quickly overpowered. Now, Cena will continue to be dominated for the majority of the match before his opponent whips him into the rope. He'll duck a clothesline (happens every. single. time.) and hit a shoulder block, duck again, shoulder block and his opponent is down. Cue the Five Knuckle Shuffle, followed by the F-U... uh, I mean "Attitude Adjustment". What happens next is the most variety you get out of one of his matches. Either he'll pin them for the win, or they'll either have blocked/countered the AA (maybe kick out of the pin, although unlikely) and Cena will just put on the STF-U.... uh, I mean STF. Every match follows that progression, to the point where I can literally tell when it's going to happen and call it before it starts.

His feuds are usually the same thing as well. He'll get dominated for the majority of the month, cut some promos saying how he'll never give up because he loves this company and doesn't know the words I quit. After four weeks of that, Cena shows up at the PPV is damn-near invincible. Add in the fact that he'll hold the belt for months on end, lose it, and then win it back in a month or two doesn't help either.

Regardless though, I don't think Cena is at the Rock's level (popularity wise, maybe due to his appeal to children), but when it comes to charisma, mic skills, and ring work, I'll give it to the Rock everytime. If the WWE doesn't do something to Cena's character, they are going to be in trouble once his fanbase grows older. Nothing beats hearing the dueling chants of "Let's Go Cena - Cena Sucks" in the crowd though.

If you think about it, they're doing the same thing to Rey Mysterio. Honestly, how can you really consider him an underdog anymore? He doesn't lose his matches very often, and when's the last time a feud he was in ended with him being the obvious "loser"? Mysterio is already over with every child out there, he doesn't really gain anything anymore from winning his feuds. Like the last CM Punk Feud. Mysterio really didn't gain anything from winning the feud, yet Punk lost his hair and got set back alot of steps towards the main event (at least in my opinion). It doesn't help that his matches are predictable as well, you're guaranteed to see a hurricanrana, that silly wheelbarrow position to bulldog counter, maybe a few dives (he isn't the high flier he used to be), and then the stupid 619 (I can't see how this is a finisher). The fact that he's World Heavyweight Champion baffles me. The man is billed at 5'6 (while he's probably more along the lines of 5'2-5'4) and 175 pounds (but probably 155-165), that's not a heavyweight.

Part of me feels that one day, the company is going to come back to something similar to the Attitude Era, so they can keep their fanbase. Although it wouldn't surprise me to see them stay with the Family-Friendly approach.

So? Every adult knows that. I shall not fall for your silly flamebait, my friend =P

Now I know I'm not the only one here who watches, I've seen the avatars (Franny, FF, JO_75, I'm looking at you guys namely). It's made me curious as to what the resident wrestling fans here think of the current going-ons in the industry, hence the thread. Sure, having tickets to the local event on saturday also weighed in the decision.

As much as I hate John Cena (I've never seen a gimmick so stale in ages), I actually can't wait to see Sheamus, Edge, Orton, and him in a cage match (mostly because I'm a huge fan of the other three in the ring).

Anyways, this isn't about my trips, heh, just about whatever's currently going on that anyone really cares to comment about. Like... as much as I loved the whole Nexus angle, it's getting repetitive to me. I love seeing Cena get cut down a few pegs and beat down, but every week ends with them rushing the ring and just beating down whoever happens to be in the ring. The WWE has a great idea with the angle, I'm just hoping they don't screw it up.

I live an hour north of Pittsburgh, Hermitage, PA. Nothing like being a Ravens fan smack dab in the middle of "Steeler Nation".

Nothing sweeter then it when Baltimore defeats Pittsburgh. Nothing worse then it when Pittsburgh beats Baltimore. Needless to say, last year was hell :\