Is John Cena 'Improving All the Time'?

[FunKay the Inevitable]

I was talking with a friend of mine recently and he said something quite interesting about John Cena. He said that he believed John Cena, despite not being the best technical wrestler, was learning all the time and improving all the time. Now I thought it was an interesting point. John Cena, a man widely chastised by the internet wrestling community (or at least, certain parts of it) for only 'Knowing 4 Moves' was improving?

The more I thought of it, the more I thought he was improving, for example, I recently re-watched his match with Batista at Extreme Rules and I thought it was interesting to see how Cena worked the match with Big Dave, there was no 'Super Cena' comeback as there might of been in the past, there was no re-run of previous matches, hell there was even an original finish which both men executed to perfection. To me, this was the evidence that John Cena, was an improving wrestler.

So what are your thoughts? Am I wrong? If so, please tell me why. Am I right? If so tell me why. Please Post, and of Course No Spam Please.

 

[Ferbian]

I wouldn't necessarily say that John Cena is constantly improving. He's not like The Miz who is definitely improving all the time, John has never really been in the running for most improved or anything of that nature. And that is because John is already at the top of his game I would say, John doesn't really need to improve, because he already puts on good matches, he already has good feuds as well as cuts good promos. So there's really nothing that he could possibly be improving on.

So what if he has a limited in-ring ability, doesn't make him a bad wrestler, because he still puts on good matches.

So no, John isn't improving all the time, because there's no improving to be done. He's already at the top.

 

[LFC20]

so someone said John Cena is the best because he's the top guy in the company?

John Cena is far from the best. Sure he can talk on the mic..big deal. That doesn't make him a great wrestler. That makes him a great entertainer. BIG difference.
However, I do think he is slowly improving in the ring. He had a couple of different moves in his last couple matches that I saw and I was like "damn, maybe he's working on it!" He is slowly but surely improving in the ring.
And you say why should he try and improve?, he's already the top guy. I hope Cena himself doesn't feel that way, as That's not a good attitude for a top guy to have. He should be trying to improve in-ring skill so he can STAY on top. He's improving slowly,
Of course he still has a LONG way to go.

 

[Wrestlefan27]

Is it really fair to not like Cena because his character is written to only use 4 moves? Is it really fair to criticize him because he's been written to have Hoganesque comebacks?

As long as he isn't blowing spots or being too stiff and hurting people, he's just fine. The reason I don't like Cena is because his character is a smug douchebag. It has nothing to do with his wrestling ability. The man knows more than 4 moves, he just doesn't need to use them and he isn't written to use them.

 

[80s Dude]

I fund it quite humorous how people bash Cena for only using a handful of moves. If thats the case then people like Steve Austin, The Rock, and Hulk Hogan should be bashed. They had only used a handful of moves during a lot of their matches.

Its a part of their character. Looking at Steve Austin again, when he showed up in the WWE he was known as the Ring Master and could put on a a match as good as Bret Hart, Chris Benoit, or Kurt angle. But when he became Stone Cold, most of those moves were forgotten.

Anyone who thinks Cena can't wrestle, I recommend tracking down his debut match with Kurt Angle. Those two put on a clinic. It was one of my favourite matches of recent years.

But when his persona changed from the rookie to the rapper, and then to the "street soldier", he "lost" most of his moves due to his character. But if the WWE or his character allowed, he would be one of the better wrestlers in the whole company.

 

[RD_21]

There's one thing that people don't understand. Cena is a good wrestler and he knows how to wrestle, but WWE don't want you to know it.

A face isn't suppose to lead a match he is suppose to suffer and comeback with his familiar moveset. So I don't think he is improving that much because I know he is better than what he is showing us.

 

[GeneralKarim]

As Ferbian , he has nothing to improve.He puts on good matches , he is fast in the ring,he gets u hooked up.Any decent human being that Cena's so called limited moveset is limited by creative and vince.He can execute a whole lot'a'moves.But hes fine with what hes got right now in terms of acting,emotion,wrestling,mic skills.

 

[jmyers19]

For starters I don't think with him being the Face Of The WWE that he is perceived as the best wrestler. WWE haven't referred to him as a great wrestler, they did with Bret, with Shawn, Benoit, and rightfully so. And no, I'm not comparing them to Cena.

Anyways, I don't think Cena has improved, he's generally been on the level he is right now in terms of ability than he has been since he debuted. He's changed his moveset somewhat over the years and had variations of his moves in stipulation matches in some way, yeah its not hard but it shows he's attempting to try something new. His promos whilst I still find kinda goofy at times can still be strong when he's being serious but he can be funny at times. If I'm being honest as well his series of matches with Batista were actually pretty good, they were obviously no Shawn Michaels/Undertaker matches but for matches where two guys who were never looked at as great wrestlers to be a nice series, that's impressive. Look at his matches with Jericho, HBK, Triple H, Orton, 'Taker, granted those have put on some great matches and have had more awesome matches than Cena and have carried Cena, at least the veterans have done, in the matches they had with one another. Does Cena botch moves? No. Does he fumble on the mic? No. Can he put on good matches? Yes. I'm not a fan of Cena, I was when I was a few years ago, but I can admit he's put on some damn good matches over the years. So to answer the question of your thread, no, he isn't because he's already at a level where he doesn't need to improve.

 

[silrock316]

I think what most of you people fail to realize is that certain wrestlers, wrestle to their character. Stay with me. For example, Steve Austin. When he was "Stunning" Steve Austin he used a variety of moves and was much better in the ring than when he was Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austins Stone Cold character was a brawler therefore you wouldn't see too many technical wrestling moves.

Now my point being, is Cenas character doesn't call for him to be a sound technical wrestler like say Bret Hart was in his prime. Cena is more of a power wrestler and focuses on the few power moves that he shows. He clearly has the ability for more because we see him constantly turn different counters into his ground submission finisher, however based on who his character is, the WWE doesn't glorify any technical moves with him. I guarantee if his character was more of a suplex specialist i.e. Chris Beniot, then you would see more moves from him.

This goes for a lot of wrestlers. They have the capabilities to do whatever moves they would like but I believe each wrestler based on their characters get certain move sets.

And believe me, I am the furthest thing from a Cena fan, I basically loathe his character BUT he works hard and I believe he could easily master 10+ moves but his character does NOT call for it.

 

[Miss Flawless]

I think what most of you people fail to realize is that certain wrestlers, wrestle to their character. Stay with me. For example, Steve Austin. When he was "Stunning" Steve Austin he used a variety of moves and was much better in the ring than when he was Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austins Stone Cold character was a brawler therefore you wouldn't see too many technical wrestling moves.

Aw, you beat me to it. But I completely agree. Cena is a brawler too, you don't see as much technical moves out of him. I think most wrestlers are improving, and will continue improving. To me, you can't be a 'master of wrestling', because you can always learn more. Cena is improving, so is HHH, Randy Orton, Undertaker. They all improve because none of them are masters.

I was reading a Cena tweet, and he said

CeNation. My spelling is as limited as my repetoire. my apologies. Be well.

LOL, that sorta made me laugh. Just wanted to point that out.

 

[The Viper Orton]

Actually I'm sorry to say but I can't see an improvement. hell I think his best two atches where against Kurt angle (debut) and brock lesnar (where he named it FU). He is doing moves that fit the gimmick. His gimmick is Cenation aka superhero. His moves are based on comeback moves to set up for another move till he reaches its FU he fails and then do it again or counter to his STFU.

If you remember Cena from the Chain Gang. His moves where better and especially more charismatic and made more sense. He usually adds something to the five knuckles shuffle. That back suplex where he turns his opponent was good for his previous gimmick. and also he used to walk with the FU to take pictures (I always laughed). Sure physically he is constantly improving but other than that I can't see any improvement. The other the top rope leg drop set up is always stupid (was good for the first two times), he returned to the bulldog after leaving it and it seems weaker now. So, sorry to say I cna't see what are you talking about

 

[The Best At What I Do]

No, Cena is not improving. And I am not saying that as a Cena hater even though I happen to be one. His skills seem to be exactly where they were 4 years ago.

He may have used more moves back when he was "The Prototype" John Cena but that didn't make him a better wrestler. After his face turn, the majority of his matches have been more or less the same and had no reason to change up his ring game. I can't blame Cena for that because I'm certain that was his decision.

In fact I give the man credit for coming out on an episode of RAW and saying "Maybe I can't wrestle but I can sure as hell fight!" That just makes sense to me. The guy's definitely no technical master but he is big enough to kick most people's asses. Anyways, that's why I believe Cena is not improving. He is at the top of the WWE food chain and there honestly is no reason for him to even try to at this point.

Oh yea, and because it's mandatory: SUPERCZENA SUXORZ!!1!11!!!eleven!

 

[GameOver]

He's stale, hasn't improved one bit in years. Nowhere near as horrible as he was when all the flaming started but still no matter what he does, in his current state he's just average, it's not all about the wrestling though, it's his character not just his moveset.

Originally Posted by silrock316 View Post
I think what most of you people fail to realize is that certain wrestlers, wrestle to their character. Stay with me. For example, Steve Austin. When he was "Stunning" Steve Austin he used a variety of moves and was much better in the ring than when he was Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austins Stone Cold character was a brawler therefore you wouldn't see too many technical wrestling moves

You can't use Stone Cold as an example, he was still doing technical moves and had a repetoir from his Stunning Steve days as Stone Cold Steve Austin til his neck injury and subqsequent knee problems, he had no choice but to have a simple moveset IMO and anyway he was an ass kicking redneck, that was his character and he played it well.,

THough, had he not been dropped on his head i say he would've have a wider moveset

Overall though it comes down to being a Main Eventer, they all have limited movesets, with the thinking people want to see there signature moves and the less moves they do, the less chance for them to A) stuff up B) get injured

Hogan had even less moves and did those moves more hopelessly then Cena and look how his career panned out.

 

[SpoodBeest]

John Cena is as good as it gets in my opinion. People give him so much shit for no reason at all. He's always solid in the ring and is great on the stick, what else do you want from the total package of a pro wrestler? People criticize that he only knows five moves, can't wrestler, and the complaints go on and on. They don't give the man enough credit as he should get. I can watch as Cena match and throughout the match I bet I could count well over five moves that he could use during the course of it. Stars of the past like Hogan, Rock, and Austin along with stars of today like Orton and Mysterio used the same moves throughout their matches so it dumbfounds me that only John Cena gets criticized for that.

He doesn't really need to improve his game because he is kind of on the top of his game and is great at what he does. Out of the whole roster he is among the top workers to have consistently good matches. There is always room for to get even better but when you think about it he is already good enough as there isn't a whole lot more for improvement because he is already so good. Cena knows how to wrestle, if he didn't I'm guessing he wouldn't have lasted long in pro wrestling. He is a consistently good worker and he's a lot of fun on the mic. A perfect example of what star quality is in the world of professional wrestling.

 

[Tenta]

so someone said John Cena is the best because he's the top guy in the company?

Yes, that's usually how it works. The guy that's making everyone's paychecks usually is the best in the company.

John Cena is far from the best. Sure he can talk on the mic..big deal. That doesn't make him a great wrestler. That makes him a great entertainer. BIG difference.

Not really. I mean, all wrestling amounts to entertainment. All wrestlers are entertainers, and by proxy, John Cena has a measure, a matter of entertaining

Saying John Cena is improving is like saying Robert De Niro is becomiong a better actor; just doesn't work that way, man, really doesn't. John Cena is already a great wrestler, because of his ability to entertain the audience. Yes, yes, four moves of doom, but the man's selling is top notch, and he controls the pacing of the match, to the point that he's one of few wrestlers that can make his opponents look good in a loss. Cena is already a great wrestler, who gets underappreciated, because he symbolizes Vince McMahon's love of body builders, and spews a message the IWC dislikes.

To say Cena is always improving is somewhat asinine, because Cena was already damn good

 

[Dhays9]

John Cena to me has been improving in the ring VERY VERY slowly. However, ever since his gimmick has changed his mic skills have gone down the drain. When I compare his old promo's or mic work (my fav is kurt angle vs john cena in a rap battle) he has a lot better flow on the mic and comes more natural. However, in is new gimmick all the promos are the same and predictable. Also, I find that when he is talking on the mic he doesn't have the flow he use to.

 

[chuck_billy]

Something I recently noticed about Cena is his bump. He seems to be working on bumping to make it look better. Instead of falling on one butt cheek like he usually does, he is tending to land like others.

Watch for it.

 

[Megatron]

Tenta hit the nail on the motherfucking head. Cena is the at the top of the wrestling food chain right now. There's only a few select guys that are even in the same league as he is. He puts on consistently great matches and is one of the few great big match wrestlers in the entire industry.

However, if there was one thing that I think Cena needs to improve on, is his attempts at comedy. I mean, I love the guy, but a lot of the time his comedy bits aren't all that, well, funny. I did like the Heath Slater-Wendy's reference, though. Some of it's to blame on the writing, but most of the time his serious promos get a way better reaction then his comedy bits, which they should.

 

[barclayteo]

me i do not think so i mean hell he can pick up bigshow and chris jericho up at the same time for an fu. but i mean in the past few years how many new moves we see him put in his mix the last 1 i remember was when he started doing the stfu and that was atleast 2-3 years ago and thats it. mostly all wrestlers change it up once in a while but he dosent. also 80 percent of his moves arent even believeable look how he does that off the top rope leg drop when they get up it does not look believably painfull it looks weak. my main problem isnt his personna its his moveset and how he makes them look sure i wouldnt mind a heel turn from him but i would rather him do a new finisher and make his moves look painfull. and for him to not get beat up 99.9 percent of the time then come out of nowhere and do the 3 move win. 1 last thing he needs to stop that being down till the 9 count then he miraculously rushes in with 1 second left like he does all the time thats the fakest looking thing he does.

 

[Spaceman Spif]

No he is not improving all the time, he does not need to improve. John Cena is just using more of the talent he already had. He at the top of the mountain, he doesn't need to improve, because he is already there. However I believe he using more of his technical ability and his 'bumping' ability, and trying to actual wrestle more because with this new influx of talent, he wants to be able to have great matches with them, which he has been. So kudos to Cena for not improving, but for not just relying on a few key moves now.