Backlund in hi prime was no joke. I feel he's slightly underrated because despite the cultural shift from smaller technical guys to large pumped up muscle guys, Backlund was still a very successful champion. Most of us have debated Cena's place in history. Some of us say top 10, some say top 5, others say top 3. I'm in the "top 5" camp. Backlund would be in my top 10. So why do I place Cena over Backlund? Bottom line it's marketability. John Cena is easily
the most marketable WWE wrestler ever. Moreso than Hogan or Austin. The only wrestler that
could surpass him period is Santo. Some people will make the argument that marketability = drawing power. I believe marketability is part of that, but not quite the same thing. It's an aspect, like talking on the mic is an aspect of having charisma. I'll save the core of these arguments next round when Cena faces Thesz [granted Cena doesn't get a match that totally favors him like HIAC] but bottom line is Cena was better than Backlund and should win.
Quick rundown...
Drawing power - As far as putting asses into seats in a strict sense that's Backlund. Cena draws much more revenue though merchandise, movies, charity, sponsors etc etc...
Ability - Subjective. Cena has a vast catelog of matches and so does Backlund. Cena was probably better at adapting. That doesn't mean that he wouldn't excel in one area over the other. I think I'd give Cena the point.
Longevity - Has Cena truly been
the man for the past decade? Well, no. You had guys like Orton and Punk that have taken that mantle from him a couple of times, but Cena has been a top star [meaning if he wasn't #1 he was #2] for the past decade easily. If you're talking combined time as a top star then the point is Cena's. If you're talking about uninterrupted time on top then the point is Backlund's. 5 years. Cena's longest uninterrupted stretch as the #1 guy was probably 3 years [05 to 07.] He was on top again for a year in 08 and then again in 2010. 2012 was his year again.
Consistency - The point's Backlund. Yeah, Bob has the Diesel blemish on his record, but Cena has lost to nobodies like Tensai. Cena also has the worst losing record of any top era star ever [and no, he
doesn't have the highest winning record. That's only true of top era stars from the past 30 years.]
Charisma - I'm split. We all know that Cena embodies charisma, but didn't Backlund as well? Even before he became Mr. Backlund he was the poster child for the clean cut face that fans loved. He could not have pulled that off [especially during that culture shift] if he wasn't extremely charismatic. But since Cena has been on top longer, I think he should get the point.
Accolades - Tough call. Yeah, Cena has more in sheer numbers, but allot of his title reigns and even feuds were largely forgettable. Cena has spent something like 1300 combined days as champion, which is phenomenal. Where as one of Backlund's reigns lasted 2,000+ days. The other lasted 3
I'll split this one.
Overall Legacy - Cena will go down as the modern era's top star. Period. Backlund will probably always be remembered as the bridge to the Hulkamania era. Not a bad thing in any way, but most fans are starting to forget his importance. I'd probably have to say Cena.
Regardless of match type [which does favor Cena a bit] I'll be voting for "you can't see me" because he was the better man and should move forward.
Vote Cena.
