There has been confusion since Summerslam about whether Cena passed the torch to Daniel Bryan or not or whether "The Corparate Champion" Randy Orton was the first "Heel" Face Of WWE or whether CM Punk,Ryback,HHH,of even "Still" Cena was the face on WWE.com there is even a poll so who do you think is or best positioned as the face personally I say Cena,Orton,and HHH or legends and and should stay or go part-time... I think Daniel Bryan is after Summerslam I seen the torch passed personally what do you think.....
The New Face of WWE
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ProWrestlingFan
Championship Contender
Randy Orton.
I don't think Daniel Bryan will ever be the "face of WWE" even if he won WWE Championship.
Triple H was the "face of WWE" from 2002-2005 and he was a heel.
I don't think Daniel Bryan will ever be the "face of WWE" even if he won WWE Championship.
Triple H was the "face of WWE" from 2002-2005 and he was a heel.
Cena, obviously. Its important when "corporate" storylines like the one with Orton and Daniel Bryan start to not get wrapped up in all the hype. Before I handle Cena, lets take a look at all the other people on your list.
Daniel Bryan: They could quite possibly be trying to pass the torch on to him, and its been said that Cena wants to put him over, but at 32, his window for being the face of the WWE is quickly closing. If its going to happen it has to happen now, and Cena didnt exactly pass the torch at Summerslam.
CM Punk: Punk did great things for the WWE during the summer of Punk, but realistically, his relationship with the WWE has not always been the best. He's taking the #2 spot that Orton inhabited for much of his career opposite John Cena, but thats about it. I would love to see it happen, but Punk would have to move heaven and earth, and his hell of an attitude to get into good graces with Vince. Punk is a product of a system that Vince hates, the self made superstar, much like Daniel Bryan, and while Vince can macho posture around him and claim success for what he's done, Punk would never allow that, and Vince knows it.
Ryback: He's only at the tip of the iceberg as far as what he has to accomplish. The angle opposite Cena was great, and he seems to have a new angle in the works, but he has a lot more to prove before he becomes the face of the WWE.
Randy Orton: That window closed for Randy a long time ago. He seemed like a promising successor to Cena but with the amount of time Cena has remained at the top and Orton has spent with a bland babyface gimmick, it wont be happening. He's closing out his career now as a vet, and will probably hold an Undertaker like role, big backstage, established veteran who can still put over younger talent in the ring, but his chance to grab the brass ring is gone. Sometimes people have to reciprocate, and thats what a lot of fans dont understand. Guys like Orton, Henry, Show, and Kane arent around because they're still optimistic of some day when the company revolves around them. No, the business has made them rich and famous, and its time for them to give back by putting over talent. A lot of guys take their ball and go home (Austin, Rock, Hogan) because they dont feel the need to put others over or they feel threatened by fresh blood. Orton is in the position where he can do wonders for other people's careers, like Bryan's, and will probably spend the rest of his days with the WWE doing just that.
Triple H: Corporately speaking, yes, but as the heir apparent of the WWE empire, I think his days in the ring are coming to an end. Was Vince McMahon the face of the WWF during the attitude era? Triple H can play the crooked boss as well as his father in law, but it doesnt make him the company's star attraction. He knows better than to put himself in the way of the fresh talent. He doesnt always scout the best talent (Sin Cara, Sheamus) which might result in him increasing his on screen presence to do crisis control like he's done now that Cena's gone, but thats about it.
Alberto Del Rio: He's in his prime and doesnt get much of a reaction from the crowd. If in fact he does stay with the WWE, he'll be inhabiting an Orton like role of putting others over.
Rock & Lesnar: Part timers, they're past their prime and dont stand for the company. They have their own individual careers and legacies that transcendence the business. They were the faces at one point, and now they're not.
Ziggler: A glorified midcarder. Every generation has one. During the Ruthless Agression Era you could say it was Shelton Benjamin or Chris Benoit. Forcing these people into the world title picture robs the midcard of men who give midcard titles some good prestige.
Now onto Cena: Hes at the top of the merch sales, the most renown active wrestler in pop culture, and has been at the top of the industry for longer than anyone else. If that doesnt make you the face of the WWE I dont know what does.
Daniel Bryan: They could quite possibly be trying to pass the torch on to him, and its been said that Cena wants to put him over, but at 32, his window for being the face of the WWE is quickly closing. If its going to happen it has to happen now, and Cena didnt exactly pass the torch at Summerslam.
CM Punk: Punk did great things for the WWE during the summer of Punk, but realistically, his relationship with the WWE has not always been the best. He's taking the #2 spot that Orton inhabited for much of his career opposite John Cena, but thats about it. I would love to see it happen, but Punk would have to move heaven and earth, and his hell of an attitude to get into good graces with Vince. Punk is a product of a system that Vince hates, the self made superstar, much like Daniel Bryan, and while Vince can macho posture around him and claim success for what he's done, Punk would never allow that, and Vince knows it.
Ryback: He's only at the tip of the iceberg as far as what he has to accomplish. The angle opposite Cena was great, and he seems to have a new angle in the works, but he has a lot more to prove before he becomes the face of the WWE.
Randy Orton: That window closed for Randy a long time ago. He seemed like a promising successor to Cena but with the amount of time Cena has remained at the top and Orton has spent with a bland babyface gimmick, it wont be happening. He's closing out his career now as a vet, and will probably hold an Undertaker like role, big backstage, established veteran who can still put over younger talent in the ring, but his chance to grab the brass ring is gone. Sometimes people have to reciprocate, and thats what a lot of fans dont understand. Guys like Orton, Henry, Show, and Kane arent around because they're still optimistic of some day when the company revolves around them. No, the business has made them rich and famous, and its time for them to give back by putting over talent. A lot of guys take their ball and go home (Austin, Rock, Hogan) because they dont feel the need to put others over or they feel threatened by fresh blood. Orton is in the position where he can do wonders for other people's careers, like Bryan's, and will probably spend the rest of his days with the WWE doing just that.
Triple H: Corporately speaking, yes, but as the heir apparent of the WWE empire, I think his days in the ring are coming to an end. Was Vince McMahon the face of the WWF during the attitude era? Triple H can play the crooked boss as well as his father in law, but it doesnt make him the company's star attraction. He knows better than to put himself in the way of the fresh talent. He doesnt always scout the best talent (Sin Cara, Sheamus) which might result in him increasing his on screen presence to do crisis control like he's done now that Cena's gone, but thats about it.
Alberto Del Rio: He's in his prime and doesnt get much of a reaction from the crowd. If in fact he does stay with the WWE, he'll be inhabiting an Orton like role of putting others over.
Rock & Lesnar: Part timers, they're past their prime and dont stand for the company. They have their own individual careers and legacies that transcendence the business. They were the faces at one point, and now they're not.
Ziggler: A glorified midcarder. Every generation has one. During the Ruthless Agression Era you could say it was Shelton Benjamin or Chris Benoit. Forcing these people into the world title picture robs the midcard of men who give midcard titles some good prestige.
Now onto Cena: Hes at the top of the merch sales, the most renown active wrestler in pop culture, and has been at the top of the industry for longer than anyone else. If that doesnt make you the face of the WWE I dont know what does.
Well as of now the face of the company is still john cena,
and it will be for along time, now this is a great chance for d bryan to become to face of the company, but it doesnt come cuz u pass the torch. if thats all it took drew mcintyre would be face of the company when vince said he's a future whc. as we know sometimes things dont go as plans. to current plans is to get daniel bryan over as a real wrestler! but if wwe doesnt feel like d bryan work out. just like sheamus, ziggler, del rio and the miz wwe will drop him like a hot potatoe, daniel has alot i mean alot!!!! more time to go before he'll be the face of the company, cause wwe will push you and push you, and make you top star and all it takes is a pointless feud and it ends the whole push/
and it will be for along time, now this is a great chance for d bryan to become to face of the company, but it doesnt come cuz u pass the torch. if thats all it took drew mcintyre would be face of the company when vince said he's a future whc. as we know sometimes things dont go as plans. to current plans is to get daniel bryan over as a real wrestler! but if wwe doesnt feel like d bryan work out. just like sheamus, ziggler, del rio and the miz wwe will drop him like a hot potatoe, daniel has alot i mean alot!!!! more time to go before he'll be the face of the company, cause wwe will push you and push you, and make you top star and all it takes is a pointless feud and it ends the whole push/
Cena will pretty much be the face of the company until he can't physically be a full-timer anymore (which may be sooner than later). Punk gave him a good run for his money a while back and Bryan is doing so now, but ultimately Cena's the only real household name (from my experience in talking to non-fans) from those three. Orton is up there somewhere, but as mentioned, he is A top guy, just not THE top guy.
If it was a who-is-the-biggest-name competition, Trips, Brock and Rocky would have a legitimate claim, but they aren't around as consistently to be the company's leading man. Vince McMahon could also fall under this category. So would Taker.
Ryback, ADR, Ziggler are all guys that have some following, but if them internets are anything to go by, it's not comparable to Cena's.
Cena's talent in the ring, his promo-ability, his look, his booking and juuuust maybe some luck have made him the #1 man for the near future.
If it was a who-is-the-biggest-name competition, Trips, Brock and Rocky would have a legitimate claim, but they aren't around as consistently to be the company's leading man. Vince McMahon could also fall under this category. So would Taker.
Ryback, ADR, Ziggler are all guys that have some following, but if them internets are anything to go by, it's not comparable to Cena's.
Cena's talent in the ring, his promo-ability, his look, his booking and juuuust maybe some luck have made him the #1 man for the near future.
Cash Carson
Dark Match Winner
John Cena will be the corporate face of the WWE until he retires.
Daniel Bryan is the face of the WWE in terms of the new generation of superstar
Daniel Bryan is the face of the WWE in terms of the new generation of superstar
HBKistheHOF
Guest
Well I agree Triple H is a Legend & should stay part-time & it already looks like Cena is doing a lot less, especially with his current injury, which I like but Orton & Cena aren't WWE Legends in my eyes & I don't see either going to a part-time schedule.
I definitely think John Cena passed the torch to Bryan at Summerslam. Some people automatically think that means Cena will hardly ever wrestle again, Bryan will main event every PPV, Bryan will become invincible like Cena & start to never lose, etc. WRONG! It means exactly what we have already seen start to transpire. Who got a clean pin on Cena to win their 1st WWE Championship at the 2nd biggest show of the year? Who has the main storyline in the company right now? Who has been opening & closing RAW & even appearing on Smackdown on a regular basis? Who is the most over person in the company & the top babyface currently? Who is selling some of the most merchandise? Who are people paying to see? All the same answer, DANIEL BRYAN!!!
Will WWE consider Cena a big deal when he returns? Duhh!!! Will he still be a big star that WWE promotes? Obviously! & when big shows like Mania roll around will Cena still be featured heavily & in a main event capacity? Once again, it's almost a sure thing!
John Cena hasn't dissapeared for good but he doesn't need to be that guy to send everyone home happy at all the live events anymore. Cena is still a cash cow for WWE & he will maintain his spot in the company but I think WWE realizes they are or have been moving into a new era & see that Cena doesn't always need to be "the guy" anymore.
I equate it to Stone Cold from 2000-2003. He was still the biggest name & with the exception of the backstage politics with Mania 18, he was still main eventing or co-main eventing Mania when he wasn't out for injuries. He was still basically the biggest draw for the company but he was out & The Rock stepped up to be that new guy.
Same situation here. John Cena is like a driving instructor in one of those special teaching cars with two sets of controls. Cena still has power over the controls but at the end of the day Daniel Bryan is now holding the steering wheel.
Also I think this is incorrect. Triple H was one of the biggest names at the time but Brock Lesnar was being pushed as the rising face of the company from 2002-2004 before he decided he couldn't handle the schedule, traveling, etc. & John Cena obviously took over his spot in 2005. Not to mention WWE had The Undertaker too & was heavily pushing guys like Benoit, Guererro & Angle at the time. So while Triple H may have been the top heel from 2002-2005, he wasn't the face of the WWE, he never has been.
I definitely think John Cena passed the torch to Bryan at Summerslam. Some people automatically think that means Cena will hardly ever wrestle again, Bryan will main event every PPV, Bryan will become invincible like Cena & start to never lose, etc. WRONG! It means exactly what we have already seen start to transpire. Who got a clean pin on Cena to win their 1st WWE Championship at the 2nd biggest show of the year? Who has the main storyline in the company right now? Who has been opening & closing RAW & even appearing on Smackdown on a regular basis? Who is the most over person in the company & the top babyface currently? Who is selling some of the most merchandise? Who are people paying to see? All the same answer, DANIEL BRYAN!!!
Will WWE consider Cena a big deal when he returns? Duhh!!! Will he still be a big star that WWE promotes? Obviously! & when big shows like Mania roll around will Cena still be featured heavily & in a main event capacity? Once again, it's almost a sure thing!
John Cena hasn't dissapeared for good but he doesn't need to be that guy to send everyone home happy at all the live events anymore. Cena is still a cash cow for WWE & he will maintain his spot in the company but I think WWE realizes they are or have been moving into a new era & see that Cena doesn't always need to be "the guy" anymore.
I equate it to Stone Cold from 2000-2003. He was still the biggest name & with the exception of the backstage politics with Mania 18, he was still main eventing or co-main eventing Mania when he wasn't out for injuries. He was still basically the biggest draw for the company but he was out & The Rock stepped up to be that new guy.
Same situation here. John Cena is like a driving instructor in one of those special teaching cars with two sets of controls. Cena still has power over the controls but at the end of the day Daniel Bryan is now holding the steering wheel.
Anyone who thinks Daniel Bryan is the face of the company is clueless.
Daniel Bryan doesn't come close to Cena's popularity. Nobody outside of the general fan base knows who Daniel Bryan is, whereas Cena has become a household name. I know Bryan may be extremely over with the audience, but he's going to have to prove himself beyond shouting "yes, yes, yes!" I get that he engages the audience with his charismatic wrestling style, but wrestling alone isn't enough to be the face of the company.
And why do people think Cena passed the torch? He's only 35. Since when is 35 old, especially in wrestling? Cena has an injury, just like everyone else has had, and he'll be back on top when he returns. And he'll always be more over than Daniel Bryan.
Daniel Bryan doesn't come close to Cena's popularity. Nobody outside of the general fan base knows who Daniel Bryan is, whereas Cena has become a household name. I know Bryan may be extremely over with the audience, but he's going to have to prove himself beyond shouting "yes, yes, yes!" I get that he engages the audience with his charismatic wrestling style, but wrestling alone isn't enough to be the face of the company.
And why do people think Cena passed the torch? He's only 35. Since when is 35 old, especially in wrestling? Cena has an injury, just like everyone else has had, and he'll be back on top when he returns. And he'll always be more over than Daniel Bryan.
Cash Carson
Dark Match Winner
Why people think he is only over because of the "Yes!" chant? The reason that chant started was because of his burial at Wrestlemania 28. It is a chant rooted in support for a guy who did not seem to be respected by WWE creative at the time, despite possibly being the best wrestler in the world. Now granted there are a lot of casual fans and kids that just like to chant it because everyone else is, but it mostly comes from respect. Make no mistake, Daniel Bryan is over because of how good he is, not some chant.
Cash Carson
Dark Match Winner
Why people think he is only over because of the "Yes!" chant? The reason that chant started was because of his burial at Wrestlemania 28. It is a chant rooted in support for a guy who did not seem to be respected by WWE creative at the time, despite possibly being the best wrestler in the world. Now granted there are a lot of casual fans and kids that just like to chant it because everyone else is, but it mostly comes from respect. Make no mistake, Daniel Bryan is over because of how good he is, not because of some chant.
HiddenInPlainView
Occasional Pre-Show
Until he is dead and gone, Vince McMahon will be the face of WWE. As much pull as guys like Cena and HHH have, McMahon can take that away any time he wants. As over as Daniel Bryan is with the crowd, Vince is still showing that he is the man and the fans will have to watch what Vince thinks they should watch.
Daniel Bryan is hugely over and will continue to be. The whole angle is surely aimed at the Daniel Bryan winning the WWE Championship by pinning Randy Orton or having him tap out after the McMahon/Helmsley regime try there best to interfere. Hell I see this dragging on until Cena is able to return from injury, and he helps Bryan go over. Then WHAMMO, Cena turns heel and chases Bryan for the WWE Title leading to the rematch at Wrestlemania XXX.
John Cena is the FACE OF WEE, period. And with him being out injured, he will still be shown on WWE programming in some form here and there. Im hopnig he doesnt though, takes the 4-6 months off, doesnt show his face and returns the night after Royal Rumble with a change to his look and hopefully his demeanour also.
John Cena is the FACE OF WEE, period. And with him being out injured, he will still be shown on WWE programming in some form here and there. Im hopnig he doesnt though, takes the 4-6 months off, doesnt show his face and returns the night after Royal Rumble with a change to his look and hopefully his demeanour also.
Kodo Sawaki
Championship Contender
Cena is still face of WWE. When he is ready to step down somebody else will become "The Man". 
I do think that Bryan right now is close second. He is over as Hell and we will see in upcoming month if he can handle that spot now after Cena is gone for couple of months.
I do think that Bryan right now is close second. He is over as Hell and we will see in upcoming month if he can handle that spot now after Cena is gone for couple of months.
Jack-Hammer
YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!!!!
As of right now, the face of WWE is still John Cena. What's going on with Daniel Bryan right now is very fresh, interesting and exciting, at least in my opinion, but it's FAR too early to think of Bryan as the new "face" of WWE. Bryan has a ton of momentum going for him right now and he clearly looks to be the top babyface in the company right now.
According to a report originally sourced from F4WOnline.com that I read yesterday, Cena has been telling people that his target date to return to the ring is by WrestleMania XXX, while some within WWE are saying that he could be returning at the Royal Rumble as part of a surprise return similar to what we saw at the 2009 Royal Rumble after Cena had been injured, suffering a herniated disc at the 2008 SummerSlam during his match with Batista.
So, in all honesty, I do think that WWE has a possible chance of establishing Bryan as the new "face" of WWE, or at least being able to give John Cena genuine competition for that particular title, if they continue to book him strong throughout Cena's absence. Cena is going to be out for, at least, the rest of 2013 and there's still more than 4 months left in the year. Bryan won't have a better opportunity to really prove to the WWE brass that he's someone who belongs among the genuinely top tier talent in WWE. Who knows? If WWE pushes Bryan and keeps him looking strong throughout the rest of this year, there's a small, outside chance that it could lead to a Cena heel turn that so many people have been wanting to see for years. If Cena returns at the Royal Rumble or even a little bit later, he'll be close to his 37th birthday. WWE has to be wondering just how much longer Cena is able to go at the pace he's worked for the better part of a decade.
But yeah, as of right now, Cena is still the face of WWE. Bryan scoring a huge win over him at SummerSlam and Cena ultimately putting him over as a wrestler has only added to Bryan's already crazy momentum and popularity. But a guy that's been the face of the company for most of a decade won't be unseated due to Bryan's current hot streak. Let's see how WWE has handled Bryan by the time 2014 rolls around, then maybe it'll be a much tougher call as to who the face of WWE is.
According to a report originally sourced from F4WOnline.com that I read yesterday, Cena has been telling people that his target date to return to the ring is by WrestleMania XXX, while some within WWE are saying that he could be returning at the Royal Rumble as part of a surprise return similar to what we saw at the 2009 Royal Rumble after Cena had been injured, suffering a herniated disc at the 2008 SummerSlam during his match with Batista.
So, in all honesty, I do think that WWE has a possible chance of establishing Bryan as the new "face" of WWE, or at least being able to give John Cena genuine competition for that particular title, if they continue to book him strong throughout Cena's absence. Cena is going to be out for, at least, the rest of 2013 and there's still more than 4 months left in the year. Bryan won't have a better opportunity to really prove to the WWE brass that he's someone who belongs among the genuinely top tier talent in WWE. Who knows? If WWE pushes Bryan and keeps him looking strong throughout the rest of this year, there's a small, outside chance that it could lead to a Cena heel turn that so many people have been wanting to see for years. If Cena returns at the Royal Rumble or even a little bit later, he'll be close to his 37th birthday. WWE has to be wondering just how much longer Cena is able to go at the pace he's worked for the better part of a decade.
But yeah, as of right now, Cena is still the face of WWE. Bryan scoring a huge win over him at SummerSlam and Cena ultimately putting him over as a wrestler has only added to Bryan's already crazy momentum and popularity. But a guy that's been the face of the company for most of a decade won't be unseated due to Bryan's current hot streak. Let's see how WWE has handled Bryan by the time 2014 rolls around, then maybe it'll be a much tougher call as to who the face of WWE is.
Redemption-2012
Getting Noticed By Management
John Cena obviously. There is no question here, without Cena I don't know where the WWE would be right now. He has carried them through it all for the past 8 years, going on nine albeit with some help from guys like Batista, Orton and CM Punk. IMO, Daniel Bryan or CM Punk will never be the face of the WWE. They don't have the look or the style of being a face of the company, despite the transition we seem to be going through right now, I feel by the end of it all that John Cena will be back and will once again be the top guy.
I love CM Punk, I love Daniel Bryan but the fact is that neither guy has what it takes to "that guy".
I love CM Punk, I love Daniel Bryan but the fact is that neither guy has what it takes to "that guy".
DownwardSpiral
Cult of Personality
You'd have to be a fool not to believe that John Cena isn't the face of WWE. As hot as Daniel Bryan is, and CM Punk before him, Cena still appeals to the PG audience the best out of the current Superstar crop. Until WWE changes it's target demographic or Cena retires, we'll be stuck with more bland promos and "U can't see me!" t-shirts.
Of course it is Cena. There is no doubt that he will be the face of the company until he retires. Who knows how far away that is but right now Cena is the face of the company.
Cena will still main-event the majority of PPV's when he is on the card. Bryan is over but isn't quite at the same level as Cena in being the leading guy in the company. I
Cena will still main-event the majority of PPV's when he is on the card. Bryan is over but isn't quite at the same level as Cena in being the leading guy in the company. I
THTRobtaylor
Once & Future Wrestlezone Columnist
This situation is very similar to the one 20 years ago with Bret and Hogan - only this time Cena did the decent thing and jobbed to Bryan on the way out... Hogan of course ducked the match for his infamous run that year...
Cena is where Hogan was in 92-93 - his salad days are behind him physically, indeed this injury may just the the one that sees him start to reduce his schedule. He has been a workhorse but when you have guys like Taker, Brock and Trips all making big coin for one-three matches a year then eventually Cena is gonna say no...
Like Bryan is now, in 93 Bret had had his first run, it'd worked in the main and he had gotten himself over. But he got screwed over much the same as Bryan did a tMania and it made the fans love him more... So inspite of this he found himself sidelined into a wasted feud with Lawler and his cronies rather than being in that spot that was rightfully his for 1993. The insult was when they launched the Lex Express rather than give Bret his due and what has now happened? Orton is in that position, being given a push that it's debatable he deserves just to make use of an investment rather than cos he is "the right guy". When Bret finally got his title back, it was a feelgood moment and he had a great story with Owen to run with, but Bryan won't have that - they can put him against Punk again, or maybe Jericho or god forbid Shawn picks THEN to have one more match (would be typical Shawn to do so)
Bret DID end up the face of the WWE for about 6 months after WM10 but even then Vince was so intent on a Hogan replacement Nash ended up the champ after Bret lost again in a ridiculous, almost embarrasing way... Bob Backlund winning that title, even for a 8 second loss 2 days later was an insult to Bret and the final warning sign of how little Vince actually respected the Harts... if the person losing was gonna lose that way to Diesel, then it easily could have been Owen.
Bryan SHOULD be the face of the WWE in Cena's absence but Trips' comments about him were true in he and Vince's eyes and that is the problem.. Vince would rather see a potential Three-Peat wellness offender with the belt and take that risk than have Bryan as the face of his company. Why?
COS VINCE DOES NOT WANT TO BE IN WRESTLING!!!
He wants to be Disney (or bought out by them) he wants to make TV shows and movies and video games and lunchboxes based on his version of what used to be called wrestling. Having an old school wrestler like Bryan as your focal point just isn't gonna help that... While Super Cena, Ryback, Undertaker and cartoony characters like Fandango are around, Vince has a shot at one day getting into the House of Mouse (and the nice Board Member role that would go with his Billion dollar payout) once Bryan and then Punk, Cabana, AJ Styles and their ilk get in - it's back to wrestling for the WWE and there's no way back. I am certain he'd rather see the business tank than let WWE go back to being "wrestling".
In 96, they finally found someone to be "the new face" and it was someone who ironically had come from the outside and was known for their wrestling chops until a neck injury turned them into a WWE/5 move hero that Vince loves so much... If Austin had not been dropped on his head, he probably wouldn't have been as successful. So while Cena is the current face, the answer is it's likely someone we know about but haven't seen in the E yet who is gonna catch fire... Suddenly AJ Styles might have a shot after all...
Cena is where Hogan was in 92-93 - his salad days are behind him physically, indeed this injury may just the the one that sees him start to reduce his schedule. He has been a workhorse but when you have guys like Taker, Brock and Trips all making big coin for one-three matches a year then eventually Cena is gonna say no...
Like Bryan is now, in 93 Bret had had his first run, it'd worked in the main and he had gotten himself over. But he got screwed over much the same as Bryan did a tMania and it made the fans love him more... So inspite of this he found himself sidelined into a wasted feud with Lawler and his cronies rather than being in that spot that was rightfully his for 1993. The insult was when they launched the Lex Express rather than give Bret his due and what has now happened? Orton is in that position, being given a push that it's debatable he deserves just to make use of an investment rather than cos he is "the right guy". When Bret finally got his title back, it was a feelgood moment and he had a great story with Owen to run with, but Bryan won't have that - they can put him against Punk again, or maybe Jericho or god forbid Shawn picks THEN to have one more match (would be typical Shawn to do so)
Bret DID end up the face of the WWE for about 6 months after WM10 but even then Vince was so intent on a Hogan replacement Nash ended up the champ after Bret lost again in a ridiculous, almost embarrasing way... Bob Backlund winning that title, even for a 8 second loss 2 days later was an insult to Bret and the final warning sign of how little Vince actually respected the Harts... if the person losing was gonna lose that way to Diesel, then it easily could have been Owen.
Bryan SHOULD be the face of the WWE in Cena's absence but Trips' comments about him were true in he and Vince's eyes and that is the problem.. Vince would rather see a potential Three-Peat wellness offender with the belt and take that risk than have Bryan as the face of his company. Why?
COS VINCE DOES NOT WANT TO BE IN WRESTLING!!!
He wants to be Disney (or bought out by them) he wants to make TV shows and movies and video games and lunchboxes based on his version of what used to be called wrestling. Having an old school wrestler like Bryan as your focal point just isn't gonna help that... While Super Cena, Ryback, Undertaker and cartoony characters like Fandango are around, Vince has a shot at one day getting into the House of Mouse (and the nice Board Member role that would go with his Billion dollar payout) once Bryan and then Punk, Cabana, AJ Styles and their ilk get in - it's back to wrestling for the WWE and there's no way back. I am certain he'd rather see the business tank than let WWE go back to being "wrestling".
In 96, they finally found someone to be "the new face" and it was someone who ironically had come from the outside and was known for their wrestling chops until a neck injury turned them into a WWE/5 move hero that Vince loves so much... If Austin had not been dropped on his head, he probably wouldn't have been as successful. So while Cena is the current face, the answer is it's likely someone we know about but haven't seen in the E yet who is gonna catch fire... Suddenly AJ Styles might have a shot after all...
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