When should John Cena leave?

[Stormtrooper]

I don't think Cena should THINK about leaving until he has his acting career all lined up. If Cena ever wanted to leave, then he needs to do acting outside of WWE Films, and he needs to do some non-action acting. The Rock's acting career blossomed to what it is today because of his first appearance hosting Saturday Night Live. That was (I believe) before The Mummy Returns, and I think that his appearance there showed people that he wasn't just some "lowly wrestler," and that he had potential in acting. However, even after he started making movies some people were skeptical, because he was doing only action movies, and they weren't grossing as much as people thought they would. Then he did The Gameplan, which I believe was his biggest box-office success to date, and now he is almost exclusively doing family movies (ironic, isn't it. The Rock goes PG when WWE goes PG).

John Cena has done 2 WWE Films action movies, which have bombed in the box office. If John Cena is going to be a successful actor, he needs to do at least 1 of the 3 following things:

1. He needs to try and do a movie AWAY from WWE Films.
2. WWE Films needs to give him a non-action movie (maybe a G/PG family movie like The Game Plan).
3. He needs to host SNL, in order to show his versatility as an actor (if he has versatility).

Right now, John Cena is a 1 trick pony when it comes to movies. His girlfriend gets kidnapped, things blow up, he does some cool looking stunts, and he saves the girl, while defeating The Bad Guy (not Razor Ramon, but that would be awesome). Give John Cena another type of movie, and maybe the films gross more, and he gets more respect as an actor.

I find it rather ironic that WWE has switched their wrestling programming to PG, and yet still makes R-Rated action movies.

---------------------------------------------------

Here is another thought. Who says that if he left wrestling he would go to acting. He may decide to go back to rapping. I recall hearing in an interview that he isn't rapping right now because he can't put 100% into it because of his WWE schedule. Maybe if he decided to stop wrestling full time, he would go to Rapping instead of acting (or he could do both).

 

[X]

Where do you get this crap from? WWE suffered a large decrease in revenue in 2008 due to economy but it still had significant profits. They made 45.4M in net income profits in 2008. I got my number from reuters.com. So please stop trying to make yourself look smarter than everybody else when you don't know what you are talking about.

You're right actually, I was reading the report wrong. I apologize. No need to take potshots at me and tell me to "stop trying to look smarter than everybody else". You don't even know me.

Regardless, WWE profits were down in 2008 from what they were in 2007, and will be down even more in 2009 in part due to the economy.

Also, WWE movies have made profit, a slight profit but a profit none the less. Here is a quote from the wrestling observer web site:

Partial Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The WWE Films division has made a grand total of $300,000 in profit with their three movie releases; See No Evil, The Marine and The Condemned. Between See No Evil and The Marine, the company made $16 million in profit. However, Steve Austin's movie The Condemned was a huge money loser as it almost put WWE Films' profitability in the red. WWE is estimating losses at $15.7 million for the release of The Condemned.

Just because a movie doesn't sell well in theaters doesnt mean it will loose money. WWE movies make a killing in rentals.

Neither The Marine or 12 Rounds broke even in theaters. That's called a flop. They've made up for it in rentals, but the films are still box-office flops.

 

[Theo Mays]

I think John Cena will be in the WWE for many years to come. Now Cena is nowhere near one of my favorites, but I respect him more than most people in the industry. The guy has improved his moveset (still limited, but it is getting better IMO). Cena will probably be a top star for 4-5 more years and then we will see his schedule shrink and he'll work as a mentor type like Taker/HBK. He'll still get the high profile matches, but he won't always be in the title picture, just an occasional shot every now and again.

 

[The Five-Star Frog Splash]

Cena isn't the greatest wrestler in the world, but everyone knows that. He can get it done in the ring and I feel has great mic skills. As for the movies, meh....not so much. The Marine wasn't very good at all, and I haven't seen his newest movie yet, so we'll see if my opinion changes. But all of WWE's movies are action movies because they are "just full of action in the ring"

But what they should really do, is a COMEDY! I would definitely go see that! Depending if the right superstars were in there, like Jericho, Cena, DX maybe, and Edge, it would be hysterical! If guys like Jericho and Cena could write some of the material, it would be even better. Maybe give some roles to the other guys to help them get over too.

 

[school-of-hard-knocks]

You're right actually, I was reading the report wrong. I apologize. No need to take potshots at me and tell me to "stop trying to look smarter than everybody else". You don't even know me.

Regardless, WWE profits were down in 2008 from what they were in 2007, and will be down even more in 2009 in part due to the economy.



Neither The Marine or 12 Rounds broke even in theaters. That's called a flop. They've made up for it in rentals, but the films are still box-office flops.

Maybe I was too hard on you. It was just the way you came across in your message when almost nothing you said in there was correct. So if I came on too strong I apologize as well.

I also have to correct you on another thing. WWE is doing better this year then they did last year. WWE has made 19.9 million in profits in the second quarter of 2009 which is 7 million more than in 2008. It looks like they will do better this year than they did last.

And back to WWE movies. It is hard to expect them to do good in theaters for a variety of reasons including lower production value, limited fan base, etc, but they did well overall (except Austins movie) so you can't really say anything bad about them from the business stand point.

 

[X]

Maybe I was too hard on you. It was just the way you came across in your message when almost nothing you said in there was correct. So if I came on too strong I apologize as well.

I saw the $45.4 million figure for their net income, and I saw the red arrow pointing downwards next to it, and assumed that meant a loss. What it turns out it actually meant is that the $45.4 million figure for 2008 was down from their net income in 2007. A mistake on my part, and I admit that freely.

And back to WWE movies. It is hard to expect them to do good in theaters for a variety of reasons including lower production value, limited fan base, etc, but they did well overall (except Austins movie) so you can't really say anything bad about them from the business stand point.

They've done well in rentals, but both of Cena's films failed to break even at the box office. That's the definition of a flop.

 

[brainsuks123]

I think he should just leave thier are so many fans right now besides the kids that do not like him like they did before. If wwe would give him his old gimmick draft him to smackdown then they might start cheering for him again(Not the kids). And maybe a possible fued with Slam Master J if he's still in Wwe

 

[Razor]

John Cena should leave the WWE when he's good and ready to.

Cena us in the top echelons of ticket sales, merch sales, and ratings. When Raw dips because he's injured then gets a good .4 back whenever he makes it back, that's saying something. If Cena wants to stay, he could and should. To say Cena should leave, and I know Becca didn't, is like saying Einstein should have left the field of Theoretical Physics before he finished his Theory of Relativity.

I doubt Cena will leave within the next 5 years, unless his body is just that beaten up that he needs a break. And even after those 5 years, I would beat my last pack of Ramen Noodles that Cena wouldn't leave the WWE unless he knew for damn sure that the WWE was solid enough to survive without him.

So leave for your films Cena, but you shouldn't until the WWE is ready to survive without you. But you didn't need me to tell you that, did ya?

 

[Spaceman Spif]

I think he should just leave thier are so many fans right now besides the kids that do not like him like they did before. If wwe would give him his old gimmick draft him to smackdown then they might start cheering for him again(Not the kids). And maybe a possible fued with Slam Master J if he's still in Wwe

Are you serious? What the Eff dude. Seriously that is the most asinine post I have read in a long time. Cena is extremely well liked, hell loved for that matter by the vast majority of the fans and especially the kiddies. I don't know how many kids I see showed on Raw decked out in Cenawear, it's more than I care to count that's for sure. I'm sorry if I sound like an ass, but this is the most ignorant post I have perhaps ever seen. Cena does not need to go to Smackdown, he is the figurehead of the PG Era, the biggest face, biggest name in the company right now and to move him to Smackdown would be stupid and pointless man. Cena does not need to do any of that at all, it would be a bad move for the WWE to even consider it.

His old gimmick would not work with the PG Era, that's why it was dropped and changed to the Hogan-esque gimmick of being the man of the fans and doing what's right and moral. And why the hell would he feud with Slam Master J? That would be the most pointless feud ever, kind of like this post is the most pointless post ever. You can't be serious, if you are, you have no idea of what this business is all about and will continue to make an ass out yourself. Their is nothing in your post that was valid or made sense man.

 

[BillAlfonso]

I kinda think he has to, I think what hurts a lot of the guys that try to transition into hollywood is the world they come from. I once heard that the world of pro-wrestling is viewed similarly to the world of pornography in hollywood, no matter who talented you may be you still did "that." To be honest, I liked The Marine, I'm not saying it should've won an Oscar but it's good for a weekend afternoon if you don't have anythng to do and to me that's more valuable than the extremely long and boring ass movies that usually win Oscars(I seriously believe that The Dark Knight was the best movie made all of last year and I can't remember which movie won best picture). To put it in perspective, the only movies I remember from '06 are X-Men: The Last Stand, The Marine, and See No Evil(Kane did well in his role imo). Austin's movie was pretty good too and he did a great job in The Longest Yard and his guest shots on Nash Bridges but again he's a pro-wrestler, not only that, he's seen as a pro-wrestler more so than Dwayne Johnson so he doesn't get the backing he does. One things for sure, I don't think Cena can serve two masters.

 

[Mr.Fantastic]

So far Cena has done a lot for the WWE. If he remains loyal all the way, then he's gonna probably gonna be there for the next 10 yrs. Yea he's done some films, but he said so himself that he's not gonna pull a Rock and just leave the fans without saying bye.

But overall, he hasn't had a serious issue w. the company, just the booing fans, but I don't think he let's it get to him anymore. He's just doing his job to entertain and that's all there is to it.

 

[TheBestThereEverWillBe]

I think if he stays on top for 5-7 more years of the company and does a movie here and there during his career in wrestling, and then after go into full time acting. I mean he has everything he dreamed of, in being in the WWE, and after bashing the Rock I dont think he can leave too soon or he will be considered a Hippocrat.

So true. If Cena leaves any time in the near future, the whole John Cena legacy is thrown in the dumpster, and he knows that, and i think he cares too. He said he wanted to be a part of the business forever and no one takes him seriously. Thats because he's not the first to say this...the rock...so he's gotta stay around, like mr.baller said, at least 5-7 more years and squeeze in a movie every now and then, and then he'll be a true legend. by then he'll be pushin 40 and we all know wrestling and old age aren't friends unless you're some kind of freak like flair or hogan.

 

[The Gribbler]

I think he should stay for a long time to come, just keep doing WWE pictures, he will never win an oscar but I'm sure their fattening his paychecks some.

Stay true John, Stay true!

 

[AnthonyMango/NoFate007]

Whenever he wants to, if you're looking at it from his perspective. From the perspective of the fans, he should probably stick around as long as he possibly can, even if it means that he's 40 and receiving a lighter schedule like Taker and HBK currently have. Despite all of Cena's detractors and whatnot, he has the potential to be one of those guys that really has a legendary status in pro wrestling and can come out to cut a promo on what toothpaste he uses and the fans would still pop when they heard his entrance music. You never know what the future holds, but if Cena stays around a long while, he could be the next best thing to "the next Hogan". People love to bash the guy but he sells tickets and draws interest despite his age, right? I wouldn't be surprised if Cena was in a similar position 10 years from now. But, if you want a more direct answer for when John Cena should leave: "when he has to".

 

[hArdyPUNKmArk]

What he should do is not up to any of us to decide, only Cena knows what to do for himself.

But, that being said I would like him to do what he currently says he'll do and that is wrestle for the WWE. That's what he is, a wrestling superstar and acting is something he does as a 'hobby' when he has spare time and to give him something different. He's said numerous times he doesn't like what The Rock did and I doubt we'll see Cena do the same thing. Cena will wrestle until he physically can't and will do other projects on the side like movies etc.

John Cena will always be:
wrestler > actor.

 

[Tastycles]

Cena's early forays into acting would suggest that he is never going to be a mainstream name, and he clearly does actually like wrestling, so I think he should basically cary on until he is too old to do so. He's 31 now, and he's not pace orientated really, so I see no reason why we can't see him retire somewhere around WrestleMania 40. It's a long way off, but 47 isn't really that old for a wrestler of his stature, and I expect he is fit enough to go on that long.

 

[NathanCreed]

I think if he stays on top for 5-7 more years of the company and does a movie here and there during his career in wrestling, and then after go into full time acting. I mean he has everything he dreamed of, in being in the WWE, and after bashing the Rock I dont think he can leave too soon or he will be considered a Hippocrat.

Pretty Much Sums It Up

 

[Vintage Nick]

When should Cena Leave?

Whenever he damn well feels like it, and people should respect that once he leaves, mostly because it's of his own choice. I predict Cena staying around until he's well past forty, possibly retire at 48/49 or he might pull a Sting and retire at 50, but I don't see him pulling a Flair or Hogan. Cena loves the business and would take a bullet for it. He's the top babyface of the company, he's the cash cow for Vince, he's the man that pulls out amazing matches by placing his entire heart and soul in them just for the fans. He has people that love him and others that hate him, but you have to respect the man for his pride and passion in the world of wrestling.

Now if he does retire past 40 and goes on to do movies, I wouldn't call him a hypocrite because he stayed in WWE past his prime unlike The Rock, and knowing Cena, he will be more than happy to come back for guest apperances, or hell he could be a GM/Announcer.