Can someone explain this to me?

[TheICChampion]

All I keep hearing on wrestling documentaries (MNW, regular WWE shows, certain wrestlers' documentaries, WCW, ECW, etc.) is how a superstar has to be constantly evolving his character in order to stay on top in the business. They have to keep changing certain aspects of their character, their movesets, all that other stuff. If not, they can be overtaken by someone else, whether it be in skill, popularity, etc. So can someone explain why the hell John Cena has been essentially the same for 10 years and still be the top guy without really changing anything at all, other than the colour of his merchandise and maybe adding one or two new moves every couple of years? It was kind of the same thing with Hogan, who finally realized he needed to change in order to stay where he was. It doesn't seem as though Cena will actually go that route, though. So what exactly is it about him? Is it just because the kids like him the way he is? I can't think of any other example of a superstar in any company who has managed to be the #1 guy and face of the company for so long without changing SOMETHING about their character. Now, just to clarify, what I mean is, yes, I know that Cena used to be a rapper while he was on his way to the top but once he got there he changed that and it's been essentially the same ever since. Anybody know why?

 

[TootsieBear]

Good Question @TheICChampion

The majority of wrestlers work various different promotions and territories, so in my opinion, it's understandable their characters and performance styles will change. And hopefully for the best.

Now in WWE, it doesn't take a lot for a performer to become popular. I like Cena, and I can understand the critics, but WWE has a greater chance of marketing Cena and therefore he's very popular and successful as a performer.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

People say shit to make themselves sound smarter than everyone else. They don't think about how absolute their statements sound because it is really hard to think like that when you are put on the spot. Fans embrace the comments because they're marks and everyone wins.

Case in point, this thirty second empty opinion post I just completed that is in no way based on any research or much thought.

 

[wrestler36]

My guess is there hasn't been anyone close with the mainstream appeal that John Cena has. Hogan had Macho and Ultimate nipping at his heels (I think the merchandise guy even told Bret Hart that his stuff was outselling Hogan's). Austin had Rock, who surpassed him in mainstream popularity.

Orton always seemed #2 behind Cena for years now, and when Batista was champ, he didn't really have the personality to the 'the guy.' Ironically enough, if his movie career continues the current trajectory, he'll be more of a household name than Cena. Punk came close but still didn't get the full push from 'the Machine.' Sure, he's had the longest reign in modern history, but he wasn't the main event in many of the PPVs.

I think it comes down to nobody really stepped up (or was brought up) to Cena's level. Had Edge not been injured, maybe he'd be up there, or Hardy if he wasn't so unpredictible. Hell, if they went full go with Punk, maybe he'd be up there. But in the end, I think it's a combination of Cena's work ethic, company first attitude and the machine getting behind him where nobody has made it to his level.

 

[Mustang Sally]

I can't think of any other example of a superstar in any company who has managed to be the #1 guy and face of the company for so long without changing SOMETHING about their character.

I'd agree, and isn't it ironic that staying power like that is criticized so widely when it should probably be appreciated more?

That said, I doubt keeping him the same is his idea. While Cena probably enjoys that "creative control" the elite of the industry get, I somehow think he's more willing to go along with what management comes up with than guys like Hogan. Maybe I'm wrong.

At any rate, I really do wonder what he thinks of the concept of turning bad. If, as some on this forum have suggested, the move isn't made because management feels the kiddies would be disappointed or that merchandise sales would suffer, I would counter that a change to evil would be the biggest thing WWE has seen in years. I think there would be an explosion of new merchandise he could sell because, good or evil, Cena is Cena.....he's the most charismatic performer in pro wrestling and the animosity he's experiencing now largely because he's portrayed only one character for so long would flow naturally into a change to the dark side. ("If you're booing me as a good guy, I'll give you something to boo about!")

What is it about him, the OP asks? Yes, he's been virtuous too long......but when he performs, either in ring action or promo, we watch him. If he's in a 6-man tag team, I find myself watching Cena as much as the camera will allow. He's that type of rare presence, and whether people profess to love or hate him, they're watching him.

Still, he could use the change.....it would be huge.

 

[Navi]

All I keep hearing on wrestling documentaries (MNW, regular WWE shows, certain wrestlers' documentaries, WCW, ECW, etc.) is how a superstar has to be constantly evolving his character in order to stay on top in the business. They have to keep changing certain aspects of their character, their movesets, all that other stuff. If not, they can be overtaken by someone else, whether it be in skill, popularity, etc. So can someone explain why the hell John Cena has been essentially the same for 10 years and still be the top guy without really changing anything at all, other than the colour of his merchandise and maybe adding one or two new moves every couple of years? It was kind of the same thing with Hogan, who finally realized he needed to change in order to stay where he was. It doesn't seem as though Cena will actually go that route, though. So what exactly is it about him? Is it just because the kids like him the way he is? I can't think of any other example of a superstar in any company who has managed to be the #1 guy and face of the company for so long without changing SOMETHING about their character. Now, just to clarify, what I mean is, yes, I know that Cena used to be a rapper while he was on his way to the top but once he got there he changed that and it's been essentially the same ever since. Anybody know why?

I guess it's how the old saying goes "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". They have a winning combination with John Cena the way he is, he puts asses in the seats and sells those damm t-shirts. He appeals the the people that Vince wants to target, the kids. They come to the shows and bring the bank (Mom and Dad) with them.

Case in point. At the show last weekend, Daniel Bryan was the main event, Cena was at the Connecticut show, yet at the merchandise stand all the kids wanted John Cena shirts, hats, wristbands. He wasn't even there but they wanted to look like their hero.

Now they will grow up and move away from him and go onto other wrestler's but others will replace them. Vince has an never ending customer base. So why change anything about Cena. Yes to us he's stale, to the people that Vince panders too he's the goose that laid the golden egg. When his merchandise sale dry up that's when you'll see a change, not before.

 

[MCMG]

Cena is just really, really good. It is a credit to him that he has lasted this long as a top star. He has had a wide range of superstars to feud with all from different backgrounds and each has been entertaining. That, in my opinion, is the key.

His character hasn't changed all that much but the opponents have and Cena has benefited. Furthermore, he is always improving. People thought he couldn't wrestle but he kept having great match after great match. What was the last "bad" John Cena match. When was the last "bad" John Cena match on PPV? Except from Laurinaitis (which doesn't really count.)

Cena is a hero AND he delivers. Look at Hogan. The opponents dried up, his performances dropped (not that they were ever that high) and the character was on course of becoming stale. Cena simply doesn't have any of those problems. Credit to him and the WWE for that. Sure it's part out of necessity from the WWE's part but if it didn't work they wouldn't be doing it. Cena has always had a list of opponents. His performances have improved (both in the ring and out) and the John Cena gimmick is as strong as ever. He is just the exception to the rule.

 

[FlairFan2003]

It depends on the performer.....Kevin Nash & Ric Flair basically played the same character for almost their entire careers, same look, same promo style, largely the same in ring performance style....and they are among the most popular and enduring stars of all time. HHH has basically been the same character for more than 15 years, the only discernible difference is sometimes he wears jeans and T-shirts and sometimes he wears suits.

Some guys do go through major changes and prosper. Ted DiBiase was a legit main eventer and great wrestler before he adopted The Million Dollar Man Gimmick.....The Road Warriors survived for 15 years as top draws with the near identical look, character, and gimmick. Hulk Hogan was a polar opposite as a heel in the NWO than he was as Hulk-A-Mania (unlike Nash, Flair, & LOD who basically changed almost nothing about their character and presentation regardless of being hero or villain). Lex Luger basically played two very different characters, the humble, straight arrow brave face and the arrogaunt, jack-ass heel. He never changed his look, but he survived two decades as a top star just switching between two different characters back & forth.

Hogan's problem was his location....he was never going to be accepted in WCW like he was in WWE because he was in "Flair Country" and those fans would always cheer Flair over him. It was different for Flair in WWE because he was playing a full fledged heel so having the audience hate him was a good thing, having Hogan trying to reinvent Hulkamania in WCW and having fans embrace Sting more as their #1 good guy and cheer Flair (despite being booked at the time as a mega heel) over him wasn't what they wanted (Kind of like seeing Roman Reigns booed at the Rumble).

Bottom line, some guys are just so good they remain top draws and major attractions with little or no change for essentially their whole careers, others have to make changes because they cant keep their characters over with the audience. As much as a small minority of fans complain about Cena he is still the most popular and marketable star on the roster today, he doesn't need a major change.