Does Cena deserve the GOAT moniker?

[BrodietheSlayer]

He definitely deserves to be in the conversation, both in a Kayfabe and Non Kayfabe sense.

[Deleted]

I think he absolutely does but I'm aware there's a good case for him not to be and that mine is likely a minority view.

[1 Free Moon-Down with Burger]

Jan 16, 2019 1:58:16 GMT -5 Loser troll. Please ban me said:

Jan 15, 2019 23:58:09 GMT -5 BatPunk said:

Yes. Because compared to his GOAT peers, Cena actually puts people over.

Yes, he’s squashed people as well, but I don’t think he’s that political. I’m thinking that’s more from Bince and the writers.

I have some bad news about that...

Lol like Steve Austin would ever sell for someone like Becky Lynch

[blissified]

I look at it like Lebron definitely top 5/10 but theres a few that will remain ahead of him.

[abjordans]

I mean, he is at the lowest top 10 any way you want to break it down. And as far as importance to WWE and what he has done for the company, top 5. So, it’s not crazy.

[mcstoklasa]

Yes

[The Lach is very tired]

I am of the opinion that Chris Jericho is the G.O.A.T, at this point I don't believe there is anything anyone can say to change my opinion.

[honsou]

I would say certainly not but I think its interesting to think about him.

He's certainly sold a lot of merch, won a ton of titles and kept the house show market afloat; I never saw a guy inspire as much dread in hardcore fans as he did, Especially since he was a face. He was okay in the ring but all of his matches were roughly the same. When I think of his matches, three to come to mind: The match against Punk which was fantastic, the I Quit match with Orton which was utter garbage and those series of matches with Umaga which were actually pretty good but he should of lost at least once.

The most interesting thing is that to me at least his entire run on top feels like a black hole in wrestling. Its pretty rare to ever hear someone talk about going back to watch old Cena matches. I've never heard anyone mention that they were inspired to become a wrestler because of Cena. Now that his run is basically over it feels like his historical impact is going to be minimal, which is the biggest argument against him being the GOAT.

[Nr1Humanoid]

Not even close.

[Ben Wyatt]

I've always generally liked Cena. That said, I would have laughed at this question 10 years ago.

Now? I'm not quite sure I'd put him there, but he's *really* close.  Kayfabe accomplishments he's in a league that few have ever gone. In terms of match quality, you could put his 5 best matches up against those of Shawn, Bret and Flair. And for better or worse, he was always over. 

When he's gone, and I mean, really gone from the business, people are going to look back and realize that even at his worst, most supermaniest push phase of the character, he was a whole lot better than he was ever given credit for.

[Clash, Never a Meter Maid]

There’s tons of wrestlers who could qualify for “GOAT in wrestling” because there are too many different criterias.

But at least within WWE history, considering consistency, match quality, overness and memorable moments? He’s easily in the conversation.

As far as good Cena stuff to rewatch, the AJ Styles/Cena feud is glorious. I love his work against Owens, Cesaro, the HBK series including the classic in England, Edge, Punk, Batista, the brutal JBL I Quit match, Umaga, Rollins (that one tables match was fun), and though Jericho never got to truly “topple” him I liked the chemistry he had with Cena as well. The Summerslam match with Bryan is ***** easily IMO.

[Pushed to the Moon]

Purely kayfabe wise I think HHH can run him pretty close. The 1997 Slammy for Best Hair might just tip things in his favour.

[Ben Wyatt]

Jan 16, 2019 7:39:08 GMT -5 Clash, Never a Meter Maid said:

There’s tons of wrestlers who could qualify for “GOAT in wrestling” because there are too many different criterias.

But at least within WWE history, considering consistency, match quality, overness and memorable moments? He’s easily in the conversation.

As far as good Cena stuff to rewatch, the AJ Styles/Cena feud is glorious. I love his work against Owens, Cesaro, the HBK series including the classic in England, Edge, Punk, Batista, the brutal JBL I Quit match, Umaga, Rollins (that one tables match was fun), and though Jericho never got to truly “topple” him I liked the chemistry he had with Cena as well. The Summerslam match with Bryan is ***** easily IMO.

Reading this and going through all his great matches makes me really sad he never got a real match, Mania or otherwise, with Taker after he hit his stride and while the latter still had gas left in the tank

[eJm]

Jan 16, 2019 7:56:38 GMT -5 Ben Wyatt said:

Jan 16, 2019 7:39:08 GMT -5 Clash, Never a Meter Maid said:

There’s tons of wrestlers who could qualify for “GOAT in wrestling” because there are too many different criterias.

But at least within WWE history, considering consistency, match quality, overness and memorable moments? He’s easily in the conversation.

As far as good Cena stuff to rewatch, the AJ Styles/Cena feud is glorious. I love his work against Owens, Cesaro, the HBK series including the classic in England, Edge, Punk, Batista, the brutal JBL I Quit match, Umaga, Rollins (that one tables match was fun), and though Jericho never got to truly “topple” him I liked the chemistry he had with Cena as well. The Summerslam match with Bryan is ***** easily IMO.

Reading this and going through all his great matches makes me really sad he never got a real match, Mania or otherwise, with Taker after he hit his stride and while the latter still had gas left in the tank

Like, the streak ending is an iconic moment and giving it to Brock was the right thing to do but man, Cena/Taker at WM 30 felt like the right match at the right time and it’s still mind boggling it didn’t happen then.

[realist]

Jan 16, 2019 0:25:10 GMT -5 stevec484 said:

If he turned heel and had a successful heel run there would be a very good case for him. He's done everything else

Hey, there is still time.  I say that "Hollywood" John Cena going into WrestleMania 36 or 37 as the champion against whoever is the top face at the time is a license to print money.

[The Barber]

Let's see:


Longest undefeated streak? No. Andre The Giant went 15 years being undefeated (Bobby Heenan told me this and I'm sure he isn't a liar).


Longest title reign? No, Bruno has him beat...TWICE!


Biggest draw? Um...no.


The icon of pro wrestling? Nope. That distinction still belongs to Hulk Hogan.

[Ben Wyatt]

Jan 16, 2019 8:00:44 GMT -5 eJm said:

Jan 16, 2019 7:56:38 GMT -5 Ben Wyatt said:

Reading this and going through all his great matches makes me really sad he never got a real match, Mania or otherwise, with Taker after he hit his stride and while the latter still had gas left in the tank

Like, the streak ending is an iconic money and giving it to Brock was the right thing to do but man, Cena/Taker at WM 30 felt like the right match at the right time and it’s still mind boggling it didn’t happen then.

Hell, Cena/Taker anywhere from 08-12 would have been fantastic and really easy to write

[Push R Truth]

In a sport where every Wrestlemania is "The Biggest and Greatest of All Time" I don't think it's out of character for the WWE to say Cena is the GOAT. They'll just say the next guy is the GOAT when Cena isn't around and so on and so forth.

[Talent Name]

Cena is the Tom Brady of WWE

[MrElijah]

In WWF/E, Possibility Top 5, in all of Wrestling.....Top 15?