Alright, I'm a mark for HBK, and have been for the last five years. I'm biased, but I am going to try and take a shot at being a fair advocate of both performers.
Shawn is absolutely amazing at walking the fine line between looking strong as a character while still putting people over. Face it, some people... when you take away their title or give them a loss, it utterly destroys their momentum. Not so with Shawn. How many times have we seen this set-up:
-Shawn gets a title shot. He enters the match, and loses.
-The next night on RAW a heel gives him serious crap, or is the one responsible for him not winning the title.
-Shawn goes on to the next PPV and slaps the heel around.
Ironically, this set-up seems to make Shawn look stronger than as if he had ACTUALLY won the title in the first place. I think Michaels might actually be deserving of the fictitious title of "Greatest Number One Contender" of all time.
Now look at John. Figure4 stated some matches that were hailed as great. I will agree with a few of them, but most of them were early on. I remember the first time I ever saw John Cena on televison. I remember his rise through his gimmicks, and honestly... I remember John for his street fight with that julio when he was in his United States championship prime. THAT was a good Cena. The problem was, he became the WWE champion and its almost like he stopped trying to improve his character. His work rate hasn't really changed, but he's had the exact same M.O. for far too long now.
Granted, its an era thing.. and I am sure a lot of people in the arenas don't know anything about Shawn before his return in '02 other than flashback videos and DVDs. Anyone else remember when Shawn came out to the Undertaker's entrance, the lights came on, and the DX theme roared over the loud speakers and the crowd went ballistic?
Its not necessarily the stupid that think Cena is better, vote for him, or cheer for him at arenas. It just seems to be the NEW people. Anytime I would speak to a wrestling fan at a RAW DEAL event (That's the card game for those of you that don't know), and I'd set down my Shawn Michaels deck and get ready.. there was almost always either a huge Cena mark or a Mysterio mark.
Cena is the modern poster child. He's good at what he does, and he pleases the masses for what he does. He's a 2007 Hulk Hogan. No one is going to remember Hogan for his phenomenal wrestling. He is remember for being in Suburban Commando, having his face on lunch boxes, and his cartoon.
Cena and Hogan are cut from the same cloth, as they are more entertainers that rolled with what worked and sold merchandise than actual wrestling savants.
Just as Michaels and Undertaker are cut from the same cloth as consummate professionals that are not afraid to put other people over and are basically bigger than the titles themselves.
Oh, and sorry for the late run in:
*Frees XBEFOREFEAR from Prax' Indian Death Lock with a Top Rope Elbow Drop!*
