John Cena Appreciation

[celtics543]

I think that lost in everything that happened on night 2 was something that happened on night 1 and was a bigger deal than has been given credit for. John Cena opened Wrestlemania and lost to Austin Theory. He didn't cut a promo on him later or anything, just lost the match and wasn't seen again.

Now imagine that happening with a 45 year old Austin, Hogan, Rock, Undertaker etc. A certifiable legend, a Mount Rushmore WWE guy, who shows up for Mania to lose in the opening match to a guy who is young and getting his first real push. Most guys of Cena's stature would demand to win, main event, wrestle for the championship, or at least be hugely promoted and treated like a big deal. I was so impressed with Cena just coming in and putting Theory over without needing to get any of his heat back or anything in a promo or post match beat down.

Now, the match wasn't great but regardless, just impressed at the lack of ego on John Cena in this instance. Never been his biggest fan but he allowed himself to be used the same way every older legend should be used. Clearly still great but lost a step or two. One ball shot and one finisher and that was it.

[Jindrak Mark]

Apr 3, 2023 8:57:07 GMT -5 celtics543 said:

Most guys of Cena's stature would demand to win, main event, wrestle for the championship, or at least be hugely promoted and treated like a big deal.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I'm sure he doesn't care as he's so successful and busy in Hollywood these days and this is just a side quest for him and he's happy to show up every year or so, catch up with old friends and lose to whoever they ask him to but as a fan I think he should be treated as a bigger deal.

I'm not saying he has to win or main event every match but I'd like him to at least say "hey, I'm too valuable to be getting squashed in 3 minutes by 55 year old Undertaker or lose midcard matches to Austin Theory."

He's such a big star that his drawing power isn't hurt and he'll still sell a ton of tickets every time he appears but he's in that period that guys like Foley/Jericho/Danielson have been in over the years were I just expect them to lose every big match because they will put over anyone, even if in some cases they should say no for their own good.

[Rolent Tex]

Apr 3, 2023 9:07:56 GMT -5 Jindrak Mark said:

Apr 3, 2023 8:57:07 GMT -5 celtics543 said:

Most guys of Cena's stature would demand to win, main event, wrestle for the championship, or at least be hugely promoted and treated like a big deal.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I'm sure he doesn't care as he's so successful and busy in Hollywood these days and this is just a side quest for him and he's happy to show up every year or so, catch up with old friends and lose to whoever they ask him to but as a fan I think he should be treated as a bigger deal.

I'm not saying he has to win or main event every match but I'd like him to at least say "hey, I'm too valuable to be getting squashed in 3 minutes by 55 year old Undertaker or lose midcard matches to Austin Theory."

He's such a big star that his drawing power isn't hurt and he'll still sell a ton of tickets every time he appears but he's in that period that guys like Foley/Jericho/Danielson have been in over the years were I just expect them to lose every big match because they will put over anyone, even if in some cases they should say no for their own good.

I still think Hollywood Sellout Hypocrite John Cena should have gotten a title run and could literally cut a promo from movie sets every week and only have 4-5 matches…but the eternal heel Roman title reign has killed that idea permanently in my eyes.

[celtics543]

Apr 3, 2023 9:07:56 GMT -5 Jindrak Mark said:

Apr 3, 2023 8:57:07 GMT -5 celtics543 said:

Most guys of Cena's stature would demand to win, main event, wrestle for the championship, or at least be hugely promoted and treated like a big deal.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I'm sure he doesn't care as he's so successful and busy in Hollywood these days and this is just a side quest for him and he's happy to show up every year or so, catch up with old friends and lose to whoever they ask him to but as a fan I think he should be treated as a bigger deal.

I'm not saying he has to win or main event every match but I'd like him to at least say "hey, I'm too valuable to be getting squashed in 3 minutes by 55 year old Undertaker or lose midcard matches to Austin Theory."

He's such a big star that his drawing power isn't hurt and he'll still sell a ton of tickets every time he appears but he's in that period that guys like Foley/Jericho/Danielson have been in over the years were I just expect them to lose every big match because they will put over anyone, even if in some cases they should say no for their own good.

It's just refreshing to not have a part time guy who is a legend come in and immediately run over everyone. I love Steve Austin and it was great to see him come back but I'm glad it was shortlived. Those guys shouldn't go over the new guys or the business doesn't move forward.

[Savage Gambino]

While I absolutely agree that it's great John Cena is actually willing to put full-time talent over (something previously almost unheard of), can we also talk about the genuine anger online at him losing to Theory?

We've come a long way from "If Cena Wins, We Riot".

[MolotovMocktail]

Apr 3, 2023 9:20:56 GMT -5 Rolent Tex said:

Apr 3, 2023 9:07:56 GMT -5 Jindrak Mark said:

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I'm sure he doesn't care as he's so successful and busy in Hollywood these days and this is just a side quest for him and he's happy to show up every year or so, catch up with old friends and lose to whoever they ask him to but as a fan I think he should be treated as a bigger deal.

I'm not saying he has to win or main event every match but I'd like him to at least say "hey, I'm too valuable to be getting squashed in 3 minutes by 55 year old Undertaker or lose midcard matches to Austin Theory."

He's such a big star that his drawing power isn't hurt and he'll still sell a ton of tickets every time he appears but he's in that period that guys like Foley/Jericho/Danielson have been in over the years were I just expect them to lose every big match because they will put over anyone, even if in some cases they should say no for their own good.

I still think Hollywood Sellout Hypocrite John Cena should have gotten a title run and could literally cut a promo from movie sets every week and only have 4-5 matches…but the eternal heel Roman title reign has killed that idea permanently in my eyes.

It would be aping Hollywood Rock, but it’s the last plausible way to ever do a Cena heel turn.

[edgestar]

I've always been a fan. He was nice to me, both times I met him.

[Cyno]

I've always been a Cena fan, which is why I was disappointed when he lost.

[Cvslfc123]

It's a shame he couldn't do the same for Bray Wyatt 9 years ago.

[1 Free Moon-Down with Burger]

Cena should be politicking more. They’ve booked him into Mick Foley-esque irrelevance and it’s a bummer.

[tirtefaa]

Not a Cena fan, although I don't hate him.

But honestly, I think he should be at a guy like Theory. This doesn't feel that far off than when Fandango beat Jericho.

Also, I know he isn't an active roster member anymore, but putting someone over means so much more when you're a part of the roster, and it should be someone bigger.

I know it wouldn't have worked so late in the game, but if you swap out Theory for Bobby Lashley, then I have absolutely no issues with Cena losing.

[King Devitt]

Apr 3, 2023 9:20:56 GMT -5 Rolent Tex said:

Apr 3, 2023 9:07:56 GMT -5 Jindrak Mark said:

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I'm sure he doesn't care as he's so successful and busy in Hollywood these days and this is just a side quest for him and he's happy to show up every year or so, catch up with old friends and lose to whoever they ask him to but as a fan I think he should be treated as a bigger deal.

I'm not saying he has to win or main event every match but I'd like him to at least say "hey, I'm too valuable to be getting squashed in 3 minutes by 55 year old Undertaker or lose midcard matches to Austin Theory."

He's such a big star that his drawing power isn't hurt and he'll still sell a ton of tickets every time he appears but he's in that period that guys like Foley/Jericho/Danielson have been in over the years were I just expect them to lose every big match because they will put over anyone, even if in some cases they should say no for their own good.

I still think Hollywood Sellout Hypocrite John Cena should have gotten a title run and could literally cut a promo from movie sets every week and only have 4-5 matches…but the eternal heel Roman title reign has killed that idea permanently in my eyes.

Hollywood Sellout Hypocrite John Cena would have been amazing as a character.

[Rolent Tex]

Apr 3, 2023 18:42:49 GMT -5 King Devitt said:

Apr 3, 2023 9:20:56 GMT -5 Rolent Tex said:

I still think Hollywood Sellout Hypocrite John Cena should have gotten a title run and could literally cut a promo from movie sets every week and only have 4-5 matches…but the eternal heel Roman title reign has killed that idea permanently in my eyes.

Hollywood Sellout Hypocrite John Cena would have been amazing as a character.

*live via satellite*

Cena: To all the fans in attendance hoping I would be there live…guess what? You can’t see me!!!

[Mochi Lone Wolf]

I'd care more if he didn't cut promos telling us the result of the match didn't matter either way.

[stoptheclocks]

I'm ambivolent towards it. I'd like to see him actually have a proper last run and be in some big matches. But if he just wants to turn up every now and again with his bald spot, play the hits and lose... then that's fair enough too.

[Futureraven: Beelzebruv]

Apr 3, 2023 16:32:43 GMT -5 1 Free Moon-Down with Burger said:

Cena should be politicking more. They’ve booked him into Mick Foley-esque irrelevance and it’s a bummer.

You need a balance. Ok he's lost to Taker and Theory now, next time have someone who's like Lashley, big enough a loss won't hurt them, without a partner for the event and have Cena win to show he's still got it. If he doesn't come back, you've given a legend a nice sendoff, if he does you have something that throws doubt into things.