Without John Cena, Who Would Be The Face Of The Company?

[Ferbian]

In other words, who would be the face of the company if John Cena retired tomorrow?

In the past we have seen guys like Stone Cold, Hulk Hogan, The Rock (partially) Brock Lesnar (partially) and John Cena carry the company as "the face of the company" and they were the people you paid to see at Pay Per Views, the people you paid to go watch at house shows etc.

But all of these people have, or will fade away at one point, and a new face would have to step up and take the control of the WWE as the draw, the top face, the poster child, you get the idea.

My questions to you would be the following:

If there were no John Cena right now, who would be the top face of WWE? Why do you feel this person could be the top face?

Is there any of the people who are currently in the mid-card or have debuted in the past years time, that could carry the company? Why do you feel this person could carry the company?

 

[Dave]

This may sound like a very shocking decision but I can’t seem to get my head around the possibility of both Randy Orton or Batista doing the job.

If there was no Cena, then there would have been no one to take over after Lesnar decided to step away from the company and would have meant that someone else would have had to lead the WWE into the new generation. However, I would say that it would have still been a bit soon for both of these guys and Triple H would have likely stepped into to hold the Championship and carry the company until the WWE were happy that Orton or Batista could have done the job with conviction and do a good job. Who knows how long that would have been but I am sure that both of these guys would have worked their asses off to get to the level of performance that is needed to get there.

What I find funny is how close to the mark Batista was when he feuded with John Cena. He said that it should have been him that got all the acclaim and it should have been him, instead of Cena that got the push, the movies and the Championships. My thinking is that if John Cena hadn’t have taken that spot, Batista would have been one of the people that the WWE would have been banking on to go all the way to the top. The guy had the look of a Champion and although his periods of being a face were pretty much a waste of time, I can definitely see the WWE shoving him down out throats and just keep going with it until we finally accepted that he was the face of the company, much like Cena is today.

Randy Orton is probably the most likely candidate though. I think that Randy Orton has been a star in the WWE for a long time and even before he was “The Legend Killer”, he was always going to be a big deal and I think that the WWE knew that from day one. He got a rub from Ric Flair and Triple H, two of the most storied competitors in the business and there is simply no way that the WWE would have put him into Evolution, one of the best stables in recent history, if they didn’t believe that he would be worth it eventually.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Randy Orton, most likely. No one on the WWE roster right now outside of Cena is more marketable in a long-term future sense, and Orton has developed a rabid fanbase – almost cult-like over the years. He's incredibly young, charismatic and has solidified his character thoroughly from the greener-than-grass early-on Randy Orton that no one knew or cared about, to the Evolution incarnation that eventually gave way to the Legend Killer which eventually gave way to the Viper – a gimmick I feel he'll likely carry with him for the next decade or for the remainder of his career.

 

[Chill]

If there were no John Cena right now, who would be the top face of WWE? Why do you feel this person could be the top face?

Randy Orton for me. In my opinion, he would be the best option to replace Cena. Orton is really quite over now, his Viper character is really catching on, he is very marketable and even though he might not be your typical good guy, neither was Austin yet he was a top face and indeed the face of WWE. Orton has never really changed from a heel to a face, rather the fans have begun cheering him for his actions and in a way it's us who have turned Orton into a face (even though he actually displays tweener characterisitcs).

So yeah, out of everyone currently on the roster, I feel Orton would have the best chance of replacing John Cena. Obviously there are people like Triple H or Undertaker who are massively over, but I think WWE would be wiser to make a younger guy like Orton the top guy, as the veterans aren't going to be around forever...

Is there any of the people who are currently in the mid-card or have debuted in the past years time, that could carry the company? Why do you feel this person could carry the company?

That's actually a really difficult question I think, as there is no one in the mid card who I feel could step up and become the instant face of the company, or become as big as Cena. Yes, there are many who could become a main eventer but to chose a mid carder or a relative newcomer as the top face is a diffcult ask. Perhaps Christian? He has the charisma and experience to become a main eventer certainly, but to think WWE would make him their top face is a bit of a long shot.

Who else? Kofi Kingston? I just don't see it. MVP? Same as Kingston - both could be in the main event but something about them just doesn't scream number one face to me. Sheamus? He's working well as a heel at the moment, so it's unlikely they would turn him face, let alone attempt to mould him into the top face. That's a difficult one to decide no doubt...

 

[Matyy256]

Like everyone else said, Randy Orton for sure. I think Orton is an obvious example of why WWE shouldn't be PG anymore. I mean nothing about his character screams PG and he gets bigger pops then anyone else in the lockerroom including the 'face' of the E, John Cena. I as do others believe he has the potential to be this generations Steve Austin. So yeah Orton would be the poster boy but be glad he isn't because they'd most likely ruin his chracter like they did Cena.

 

[zman21]

besides orton which is a popular choice. wwe will need someone young and willing to stay for another 5-7 yrs as there top guy. 2 names come to mind. miz and kofi kingston. both in there late 20s and have only been in wwe for 3yrs and its time for a big push b4 they fade out. christian and matt hardy will be good but there are in there mid 30s and have been in wwe for over 10yrs so i will stick with kofi and miz

 

[TheLunatic]

If the highly unlikely chance of John Cena retiring tomorrow happened, I'm sure it would cend shockwaves, not only through the WWE, but the wrestling universe itself. Every wrestling promotion from WWE to TNA to the backyard wrestling jokes you see on YouTube would get some sort of change.

I think the obvious choice to take over as the "face" of WWE, both in the literal and wrestling term, it would be Randy Orton. But, a mid-carder would have to step up. Not really sure who it would be. To be honest, it's hard to see a WWE without a face John Cena. I could see The Miz being that mid-carder. He's been flirting with ME for awhile now, and I'm personally waiting for him to get a shot. I think this Orton feud (if done/booked right) could send him to the moon, and then we can forget the Miz/Morrison "who's better" discussion.

I think Daniel Bryan Danielson would eventually take his place, if that's a role that he wants. He already has the IWC's love, and it's obvious that by the crowd's chants during live events, it would be bad for WWE buisiness if he doesn't get a resign.

 

[The Insano Shiekh]

Even though I'm a total Randy Orton and Edge mark, I just can't see either one of them doing it right now, in fact, I have two virtually totally different people in mind. Who are these people, you ask?

Chris Jericho and Triple H.

If John Cena wasn't here, these are probably the two people who could interact with the fans most as faces, turn Jericho back into the funny face that people love, and keep Triple H like he is now. I honestly really can't come to terms on who to choose out of these two, because they've been close to being the face, both have accomplished so much, and both have accomplished these things as a face-like heel or face. While most of Triple H's title reigns were when he was heel, I just always got this face vibe off of him, and that may just be me. With the unique gimmicks that both of these men have as faces, if used right, they could let the marketing shoot up, I mean right now you always see kids my age (yes, I'm eleven) wearing "The Game" and average Smackdown and RAW t-shirts, and all of them already have Triple H and Chris Jericho. If you turn Jericho face, it's back to the classic, "Break the Walls Down!" line, and kids would be wearing that soon enough, too. I just don't think Randy's ready for it yet.

On to the next question about the mid-card carrier...it is a very difficult question for me and other posters alike. But the man I think could possibly take it right now is nobody.

The reason why I say that is because the 'E really isn't using any of the mid-carders right, and most of the time it just bores me, and I either switch on ESPN or go back to playing XBOX. When the WWE actually starts using their midcarders right, they'll actually have a face of the company waiting to happen, like possibly Drew McIntyre, or maybe even Matt Hardy if he gets on better terms and gets the right usage and gimmick. But right now, I don't see how any mid-carder could take on the task.

 

[Rammsteinerteen]

I don't know why people are saying Batista, because if John Cena was retired tomorrow, Batista wouldn't be there. So I say Randy Orton. I've seen him the past few weeks, he's got the love of the little kids and the older audience. He's a great wrestler unlike John Cena, he gets really loud pop when he comes out. He's young, he's accomplished everything there is to accomplish (Well almost at least). John Cena just gets the kid fans on his sides, the older fans can't stand him if you heard the crowd the past few years. In my opinion, Randy Orton should be the face today, he has much to offer, even though John Cena is WWE's rating machine.

 

[Greenlight13]

I'd like to be able to say Randy Orton, but no matter how many times he reforms something else happens to him outside the ring that's controversial. But then again Austin had his share of troubles with his domestic abuse accusations, so maybe it's not an issue. Take away controversial extra curricular activities and Orton gets the nod. He's young, he's a 3rd generation talent so his roots run deep, he's a locker-room leader and very well liked, the fans adore him, he's a top merchandise seller, he's been in a movie, makes appearances and he's good in the ring.

Undertaker can't really be the face as he doesn't make public appearances.

Triple H could shoulder the burden and would probably be a logical choice if not for his age.

Rey Mysterio might be in with a chance if he didn't publicly bash the company when he's in Mexico.

I can't think of anyone else, there aren't many top babyfaces around. Big Show just doesn't cut it in my opinion, and he's the top face on Smackdown aside from Undertaker and Mysterio.

 

[Travaje]

Nobody. Randy might be the closest, but he's still not that close. Randy's also hurt half the time. He gets pops, but there are two pops he doesn't get....the one when John runs out of the gorilla position onto the stage, and the one where he takes his shirt off. I think it would have to be a combination of guys to carry the company until someone else came along. Lucky for WWE, Cena's only 33....he's got 5-10 years to carry the torch.

 

[mister_b1LL]

Orton. Totally. No question. I've thought Orton was the best ever since his Evolution days. And now with his Viper gimmick, there is no stopping him. Hell he gets bigger pops than Cena on most occasions now. If John Cena were to leave tomorrow, Randy Orton would still be the biggest thing going in the WWE.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

In other words, who would be the face of the company if John Cena retired tomorrow?

If there were no John Cena right now, who would be the top face of WWE? Why do you feel this person could be the top face?

Well, if John Cena retired tomorrow, I would hope it would be Randy Orton. I'm a huge Orton mark, so big surprise there. As of right now, today, he is the second most over guy in the company, behind Cena. In front of live crowds, he is probably the most over, seeing he never gets booed. But as whole, with the at-home audience, and more casual fans, it's Cena.

But in all honesty, I'm not sure the WWE would be comfortable with Randy Orton being the face of the company. He's a bit too edgy, and doesn't really connect with the kids the way Cena does, or Hogan did. The WWE is really pushing a family-friendly product, almost pandering to kids right now. Randy Orton is not the (baby)face of a company looking to put out a kid-friendly show.

I have said before I think the comparisons between Austin and Orton aren't really justified, but in this case, I think they are quite similar. Orton is a rebel, a loner, kind of like Austin. Orton is much more violent and calculating than Cena. I'm just not sure he could get over with the little kids the way Cena has, and I think Vince and company understand that. Austin wouldn't be nearly as popular today if he had to deal with all of the restrictions. He got over because he did what he wanted, when he wanted. And with the programming the way it is today, it wouldn't happen.

I would love to see Randy Orton be the face of this company, and for this PG-shit to end. But that isn't happening anytime soon, if ever. WWE is taking a lot of money, and a lot of it is coming from places other than PPV buys. They are making a killing in merchandise, because parents buy t-shirts and dolls for their kids. Randy Orton cannot be the face of a PG-era show, and I'm actually happy about that.

Is there any of the people who are currently in the mid-card or have debuted in the past years time, that could carry the company? Why do you feel this person could carry the company?

As a face? No. I don't think, outside of Cena and Orton, any face on the WWE roster is near over enough to carry the company. HHH probably is, but he's getting old, and I'm not sure how much longer he will be wrestling.

I just haven't seen a young babyface, currently with WWE, who is anywhere near being ready to take on the task of carrying the company.

 

[SpoodBeest]

It would have to be Randy Orton wouldn't it? This is in a dream reality where Cena leaves the wrestling business for some reason right? Then Orton would go on to take Cena's place. Since he is the second most over face on the roster behind Cena.

His "Viper" gimmick also seems marketable enough that eventually he could be a merch-selling juggernaut. He has proven to be a good draw, and simply has the fan reaction to take the full load of being a top face if they needed Cena to be replaced due to a departure. However this is only a fantasy were talking about here.

 

[oldschool123]

One guy who I could see being the top face of the company would be Rey Mysterio. He is loved by the kids much like Cena and I'm sure he is a big money maker with all of those masks all the kids have.

As for a mid-carder who could become the face I would have to say Kofi Kingston if only because there seem to be no other mid-carders even close.

 

[Henry Hill]

I think there would be a similar situation to the early two thousands when brock was on his way out, and there was really no one on top at that moment. I don't see anyone in the WWe who seems like "the face of the company" right now. There is a lot of potential with guys like John Morrison, CM Punk, The Miz, and Kofi Kingston, but only Punk and the Miz seem to really be running with what they've been given. As good as JoMo and Kingston are they haven't really stepped up to become the focal points they could be. If John Cena was to retire tomorrow the focus of the company at this point would shift to Randy Orton, who is doing well in his current face role, but as much as i have always loved Orton, I am still wary of this face turn as being a heel seems so much more natural to him. His personality hasn't changed much and for him to really hit the apex of his current character his in ring intensity needs to translate to his interviews as well. So i guess my final answer would have to be no one until one of the young guys steps up to the plate much the way Cena did, and I'd say the most charismatic guy there is right now would have to be the Miz.

 

[ForzaItalia]

That would have to be Orton for sure because you know he will stick around in the WWE, he has the talent, is a top face on RAW, and could carry any show.
Orton is loved the crowd for sure and would sell just as much merchandise as Cena.

 

[Money Inc.]

Randy Orton

His contract says it all, they signed him to a 10 yr deal. They have faith that he can carry the company is John Cena were to leave. Also he has the in ring talent to get over hardcore with the hardcore fans.

Also CM Punk

Yes it'll be hard for him to turn face after this WONDERFUL heel run, but people said that about Randy Orton after he DDT'd Steph and then kissed her on the cheek while her restrained husband watched. He's over with hardcore fans, and his face run earlier in the E was over with the kiddies...

Christian:

They haven't pushed him to the moon like they need too, but he could easily get there just on mic skills.. once you combine them with the facts he's pretty good in the ring, he could def capture the love from the hardcore fans plus casual watchers.

 

[Cookie14]

If you're talking about taking over fomr now, then it would have to be Orton.

If you're talking aout form when Cena became the face of WWE, then think Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho and HHH would have all spent some time as the face of the company. They are possibly the biggest stars, and the best faces (and in the case of HHH and Jericho, the best heels).

IMO, to be the FACE of the WWE you have to be a FACE, Think about it, WWE has never been lead by a heel. Orton, Edge, Batista, they are all best as heels, so they could never be the FACE of the company

 

[JJ15776]

I don't know why people are saying Batista, because if John Cena was retired tomorrow, Batista wouldn't be there. So I say Randy Orton. I've seen him the past few weeks, he's got the love of the little kids and the older audience. He's a great wrestler unlike John Cena, he gets really loud pop when he comes out. He's young, he's accomplished everything there is to accomplish (Well almost at least). John Cena just gets the kid fans on his sides, the older fans can't stand him if you heard the crowd the past few years. In my opinion, Randy Orton should be the face today, he has much to offer, even though John Cena is WWE's rating machine.

...you do realize John Cena is 10x the wrestler Orton is, right?

...back on topic. If Cena retired tomorrow, I think Triple H would temporarily be the face of the company. You know he gets the ratings, sells the merchandise, and represents the company in public like the face of the company is supposed to. (Orton does none of these - especially not representing the company. People bring up Austin's domestic abuse issues, but Rock had already replaced him by that point) He's just too old to do it for the long haul, so they'd be grooming somebody else. And honestly, I don't think that somebody else is on the roster right now. The Miz? John Morrison? Kofi Kingston? Plausible candidates, but I don't think any of them are really capable of doing the job. If MVP was 10 years younger (people don't realize he's almost 37), I'd say he's a great candidate, but he's out of the question. Unfortunately for them, the best 'Face of the Company' type they've had since Cena is in TNA right now - Mr. Kennedy. If he had stayed healthy and off the roids, he'd be in Orton's position as #2 face right now.

 

[MVP12]

in my personal opinion i think jericho could pull it off. He was extremly over with the fans when he returned a few years ago, and could have been the top face if Cena wasnt. As for a person who had their debut recently or within a couple of years...I am not entirly sure if any of them could "carry" the company right now. The only one i could possibly consider would be swagger but i dont know how well he could do as a face, because well we have yet to see him be one. Theres my two cents

 

[RiVaLGaMeR]

...you do realize John Cena is 10x the wrestler Orton is, right?

...back on topic. If Cena retired tomorrow, I think Triple H would temporarily be the face of the company. You know he gets the ratings, sells the merchandise, and represents the company in public like the face of the company is supposed to. (Orton does none of these - especially not representing the company. People bring up Austin's domestic abuse issues, but Rock had already replaced him by that point) He's just too old to do it for the long haul, so they'd be grooming somebody else. And honestly, I don't think that somebody else is on the roster right now. The Miz? John Morrison? Kofi Kingston? Plausible candidates, but I don't think any of them are really capable of doing the job. If MVP was 10 years younger (people don't realize he's almost 37), I'd say he's a great candidate, but he's out of the question. Unfortunately for them, the best 'Face of the Company' type they've had since Cena is in TNA right now - Mr. Kennedy. If he had stayed healthy and off the roids, he'd be in Orton's position as #2 face right now.

I cant believe you said that lol. No idiot Orton is 10x the wrestler Cena is. Your so high on WWE management that you cant see it. Just cause he waves his hand infront of his face wondering if it smells like **** is because hes to be popular. Cena is a horrible wrestler compared to Orton all the moves he does he has to be careful and precise to avoid injury. I dont think a 5 knuckle shuffle which he never even hits the guy will do damage. Think twice before you speak little kid and run along

Hopefully someone who can actually wrestle a interesting match. Bigshow could be a good face but hes not 100 face material he can play both good and bad. The best face of the company was the rock and hes not coming back.

 

[jamiacanman]

first of all let me say that it will be the happiest day of my life
second off all you have to think that the face would be no other than stephanie mchmahon herself. now dont look at me with those suspiscious eyes just hear me out. steph has the biggest selling factor that no other guy has and that is or should i say are her breast/boobs/boobies/jiggles (because they jiggle, get it haha, give me a high five, no!, then fuck you too). well my point is if she was the face i wouldnt mind as she has boobs and if they put photos of her with barely any clothes on merchandidse i can bet the sales will be though the roof.

so yeah boobies FTW!

 

[Vintage]

Jeff Hardy. If there was no John Cena WWE would have paid Hardy so much he would have never left. They also would have given him the time off he wanted. If Cena was to quit tomorrow, Johnny Ace would be at Hardy's house Friday morning with a team of WWE lawyers to make his legal issues go away and a blank check

 

[Goliath Uterus]

Without Cena, I think it'd boil down to 2 guys, Triple H, and Randy Orton. They would have to be co-faces because other than those two, there isnt anyone else (besides the Undertaker but cmon, he's no face of a company) that is over enough to be considered the company face. Triple H is an established wrestler who has been around paying his dues for many, many years, when he's not playing a heel, he is one of the most adored wrestlers on the WWE roster.

Randy Orton, whether playing face or heel, is adored by die hard fans and casual viewers alike, loved by women and envied by men. I think if they had to choose though, it'd be Triple H, he has been around longer, more people know of him, and he has a more marketable look (no tatoos).