The Next Icon vs Icon (Passing the torch)

[suleman09]

So i'm curious about this, over the years we have had the honor of seeing a rare Icon vs Icon match in the form of a passing of the torch. What we have had so far,

Wrestlemania 3:
Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant
Winner: Hulk Hogan

Wrestlemania 18:
The Rock vs Hulk Hogan
Winner: The Rock

Wrestlemania 29:
John Cena vs The Rock
Winner: John Cena
(Not putting in WM 28 because The Rock didn't put Cena over)

Wrestlemania ??:
???????? vs John Cena
Winner: ???????????

(DO NOT TURN THIS INTO A CENA BASHING)
So who is going to be the next GUY that we can see as an ICON in the WWE whose name can stand up with the likes of John Cena, The Rock, Hulk Hogan, etc..

I know they are pushing Roman Reigns right now and it will take a few years for us to tell if he can be THAT GUY. I mean lets face it when Cena won the WWE title at WM 21 no body thought he would get his name as big as it is today.

When you look at it on paper some matches just look good. For example,
The Rock vs Shawn Michaels
Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs CM Punk
These matches look great on paper BUT! (Not bashing here)

Does this look good on paper as a marquee match at a Wrestlemania for Icon vs Icon in the future

Roman Reigns vs John Cena

Who do you think can be that Icon vs Icon match for John Cena years down the road?

Anyone here now?
Main roster talent?
NXT talent?
Maybe no one who is here yet?

At this point I don't see anyone who can carry the company the next 10 years. I think we yet to see the superstar debut who will go on Icon vs Icon with Cena

 

[MartialHorror]

I actually think Cena is better at making people look good than people give him credit for. His match with Cesaro early in 2014 made him a credible contender for the WHC and only bad booking derailed that push. But I don't think Reigns is the next big thing. Honestly, I'm not sure if there is a next big thing in the WWE right now. I'm sure Cena will face Reigns someday though.

 

[John McCass]

Sadly, it is going to be Reigns vs Cena but tbh, I figure out Ambrose to be there instead of Reigns. When I see Ambrose, he reminds me of John Cena and Steve Austin in a mix. He has all the element to become the poster boy for WWE. He has charisma, in ring ability and enough fan support to become the next undisputed ICON of the biggest pro wrestling fed on the Earth.

Look, I am not bashing Roman Reigns but, somewhy (I dunno what) I don't like him. I want him to be successful, but not the top guy. Yes, he can be the top guy when WWE needs and they don't have any option other than him. The guy is gorgeous, has charisma but his character is stale. He needs some variation into his character. But, who knows whats coming in future. Remember, who thoug Rocky Maivia would turn into The Rock and become the top guy of the Federation. Maybe, Reigns' character evolves and he becomes the MAN in the company. Who knows what the future holds?

 

[BenChillin]

Unfortunately, it'll be Cena vs Roman Reigns. Watch.

You just know they're saving that. Hasn't been more obvious.

It should be Undertaker vs Bray Wyatt though.

 

[Navi]

I think this Wrestlemania will be Reigns big test. The Rumble was a preview, and he failed that. They had to have the Rock, Bryan and Heyman out there to help put him over. He's still getting booed. If he can't get over by beating Lesnar then he won't be holding any torch anytime soon.

It will come down to Ambrose or Rollins. Rollins has a moveset quite honestly that makes him a perfect face. Only problem is he can't use most of it right now, and Ambrose is situated perfectly. If Rollins turns then so will Ambrose. Both of them are great on the mic and in the ring. And most importantly both have shown that they can evolve unlike their other partner.

If it's not one of them then the next torch bearer hasn't been seen on the main roster yet. No one else there is either ready or has been bypassed.

 

[Dave]

I haven't given up on people like Ryback and Delph Ziggler. And honestly, there is no reason that someone like Cena can't put either of these guys over in the future and pass the torch. I still think that Ryback can still be the guy in WWE. He had a good feud with Cena a couple of years back but he wasn't ready for the big time just yet. But he has grown into the WWE and is starting to get over. If the WWE handle him correctly, he could definitely be the one to have another feud with Cena to be the next big thing.

Ziggler also has potential to be that guy too. I honestly get the feeling that the WWE are just waiting to pull the trigger on Ziggler when the time is right. Every now and then the WWE try to remind us that Ziggler is still in their thoughts for the main event but isn't quite on that level just yet. Something tells me that in a couple of years, when people like Orton and Cena are working a reduced schedule, that Ziggler could be in the running to be the guy. The same guy who is the ultimate underdog but makes it happen nonetheless.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Maybe no one who is here yet?

Very possible, because while WWE seems to be redefining present Cena's role, I doubt he's anywhere near the point of relinquishing the position of top man in the company.

As for Roman Reigns, it's way too early to tell. In the matches cited by the OP, you'll notice that every person listed was a performer with vast experience; Roman Reigns has a lot more work to do before Cena passes the torch to him.

It could very well be that the next guy doesn't work here yet. After all, when Rock and Steve Austin were in their heyday, weren't we wondering who would eventually replace them, with some fans fearful there would be no one?

Meanwhile, growing up in West Newbury, Mass........

 

[WhiplashUnited]

I think after the booing at Royal Rumble they should have just played to it. Reigns is getting a reaction but not the ones that WWE head office want for him. Wrestling has always been about getting a reaction and they want to persist with this big face push. It just makes most hardcore fans want Lesnar to pulverise Reigns worse than Lesnar did to Cena at SummerSlam.

Make the crowds hate Reigns more and more. Show more Shield type of Reigns. Make him a truer contender to Lesnar. People wouldn't care as much if he was the next big thing if it was something palatable and not this Sesame Street version of Lesnar they're feeding us.

 

[stingray11214]

I think people are forgetting someone who has an organic following. Cena might have fought him once. However, a ME match at WM would clinch it for Daniel Bryan. Look, Reigns is years away from being ready. I see Ambrose as an anti-hero. Rollins is the perfect heel. The NXT crowd is not there yet. Cesaro, Kidd, Ziggler and Ryder will never get a chance. So, it is the WWE version of Travelocity's garden gnome. And, why not? He is the best technical wrestler in the Company. He has never put on a bad match. He gets the best out of others. So, why not give him Cena at the WM Main Event to solidify his legacy?

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

I'm gonna stick my neck out, on this day and say that at Mania 32, the championship ME is going to be Dean Ambrose Vs Cena. Cena has now had 2 Mania without being in the title picture and he will be in the mix come the next one. As much as Reigns will be pushed and put over, Ambrose is gonna get a groundswell by the time we reach Texas in 2016.

He is burning and its that slow burn that starts brimming by the end of the year with people getting behind said superstar come the Rumble. He will get an organic build because WWE is gonna too busy pushing Reigns and its the guy next to the anointed that the fans choose because of that connection they develop.

He just might be the next guy.

 

[Hem]

The next big thing, according to the WWE is Roman Reigns and people need to accept that. I don't mind seeing Reigns as the next top guy. You've got to realize the guy isn't as bad as he is made to seem. He's still a big inexperienced compared to the other two of the Shield and I am sure come WM he'll have a good match with Lesnar but even more so he can have a kick ass match by the time WM 32 comes around.

Reigns Vs. Cena will happen sooner than later, we all know it. The match may not be the best match ever but it sure as hell can be built up as one of the best. The hype and making people believe how good something is a major part of people buying into it.

I think the best way to build up the road for this match is to mirror each others careers.

Cena loses to Rusev, he loses all the major matches he is in this whole year and at the Royal Rumble it is Reigns who eliminates him.

Meanwhile, Reigns has rocked the year, he wins his match against Lesnar, defends it very well until an unexpected MITB cash in, goes on a major winning streak. Final six of the Royal Rumble 2016 being Reigns, Cena, Bryan, Ambrose, Rollins & Ziggler. Reigns eliminates Cena who comes back and pulls Reigns out.

This leaves people in shock. Cena says he's not being the bad guy but he's just making a statement. They have a storyline where Cena says Reigns is stealing his spot, and it's not a spot Reigns wants. He can't handle the road, he doesn't have what it takes. He doesn't want to stay on top forever and he will leave his spot when someone great comes and take it from him like Hogan did with Andre or how he did from guys like HHH & The Rock.

People who almost made it as the top guy but always ended up below Cena tell Reigns that John is right, he can't handle it all, especially if they couldn't handle it. Guys like Orton, Mick Foley, Batista, Jeff Hardy etc are the people who tell him this..it can be a simple two minute monologue done in a pretaped segment from somewhere else even.

Reigns says Hogan didn't just take the top spot, SCSA never became the top guy without fighting, nor did The Rock or HHH. They all fought whoever was on top of the mountain, as did many others. Some failed and some went on to become the biggest names in history. CM Punk, Batista, Big Show, JBL, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler all faced Cena to challenge his spot but none could take it away from him. Reigns says it's his turn to see which list he falls into. Reigns asks Cena, the fans and himself if he will make it as the next top guy or will he be another one who failed.

The build up for this match is something which can start the night after Wrestlemania where we see Cena congratulate Reigns for the victory but tells him to watch his back and end all the way at the next Wrestlemania.

They don't have to have a constant feud with each other for the whole 12 month period or anything but occasional run ins backstage and jealousy in both mens eyes being evident. Also comparisons should be drawn by the commentators and rivals between both men. Eventually it happens as the Rumble as I explained earlier.

The match ends with Roman Reigns pinning John Cena in a clean and good match. It ends with John Cena raising Reigns hands and saying take care of the mountain for me. You see guys sitting backstage all standing and even JBL is standing at the announcers table saying Reigns did something that no man has done, he took Cena off the top of the mountain.

 

[BuriedByCena]

In all seriousness, based on WWE's past history the last 5+ years, the next guy to get a chance at making it big will be Erick Rowan. He is currently the worst guy on the roster in terms of mic and in ring skills. This means he is due for a mega push starting next year when he wins the Royal Rumble and goes on to face Cena for the title. Roman will be busy fighting the Rock.

If you don't believe me, look at the last 6 or some Royal Rumble winners. They were all people who were terrible on the mic/ring or were John Cena/Basista. Roman reigns, Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio etc are horrid. WWE's booking is to push guys who are no where near ready and to force them down our throats.

Erick Rowan is the future of WWE whether we like it or not.

 

[FlairFan2003]

reigns will probably get a win over Cena to boast his cred during this super push, but it doesn't mean much....If Reigns fails as champ where will WWE go...back to the guaranteed money maker John Cena. At that point is it really "passing the torch" ???

That is really what makes the whole "passing the torch" concept over rated....didn't Cena put over CM Punk almost everytime they fought, didn't mean he "passed the torch" to him, or does the fact Cena remained as popular as he did, stayed in the main events and won more titles, while Punk flamed out & left negate that ?

Clearly Hulk Hogan "passed the torch" to Ultimate Warrior - does Warrior's resounding thud of post Hogan victory career change that ? Did "passing the torch" alone make Warrior ? (Obviously not)

Hogan-Rock isn't even a good example. Hogan was well past the main title picture and was a part timer at best and Rock was on his way out the door a year later. A soon to be exiting full timer beat an over the hill part timer who barely wrestled and hadn't been in the company for many years.....by that standard then Rock managed to get 3 torches in less than a year with wins over Hogan, Flair, & Austin, not too mention The Undertaker. That is probably a record for "passed torches".

 

[kadroan]

So i'm curious about this, over the years we have had the honor of seeing a rare Icon vs Icon match in the form of a passing of the torch. What we have had so far,

Wrestlemania 3:
Hulk Hogan vs Andre The Giant
Winner: Hulk Hogan

Wrestlemania 18:
The Rock vs Hulk Hogan
Winner: The Rock

Wrestlemania 29:
John Cena vs The Rock
Winner: John Cena
(Not putting in WM 28 because The Rock didn't put Cena over)

Wrestlemania ??:
???????? vs John Cena
Winner: ???????????

(DO NOT TURN THIS INTO A CENA BASHING)
So who is going to be the next GUY that we can see as an ICON in the WWE whose name can stand up with the likes of John Cena, The Rock, Hulk Hogan, etc..

I know they are pushing Roman Reigns right now and it will take a few years for us to tell if he can be THAT GUY. I mean lets face it when Cena won the WWE title at WM 21 no body thought he would get his name as big as it is today.

When you look at it on paper some matches just look good. For example,
The Rock vs Shawn Michaels
Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar
Stone Cold Steve Austin vs CM Punk
These matches look great on paper BUT! (Not bashing here)

Does this look good on paper as a marquee match at a Wrestlemania for Icon vs Icon in the future

Roman Reigns vs John Cena

Who do you think can be that Icon vs Icon match for John Cena years down the road?

Anyone here now?
Main roster talent?
NXT talent?
Maybe no one who is here yet?

At this point I don't see anyone who can carry the company the next 10 years. I think we yet to see the superstar debut who will go on Icon vs Icon with Cena

Like you said, probably Reigns vs. Cena. Maybe we can see that in 2017 at WM 33, Reigns should be an established main eventer by then.

If WWE booked Cesaro right, he could be in the same conversation but I doubt that'll happen.

 

[Kidpolean]

I don't understand this thread. If Reigns vs Cena counts as a passing of the torch than you also have to include Hart vs Michaels, Michaels vs Austin, Warrior vs Hogan...there are a couple of other matches to include

As far as simply icon vs icon...The only icon right now is Cena and nobody could predict if Reigns or any other current wrestler will reach that level. Reigns wont be anywhere near that status in the next 3-4 years.