SuperCena - Photoshop mashup - June M. Williams Design©
Most of my posts are either formulated by speaking with someone, or something just popping up in my head. This one is no exception. Something dawned on me after talking to my friend, fans underrate Cena. Well, 'dawned' might not be the right word, as I have believed this for a long time actually... you know, after I realized that most Internet fans are imprudent. I mean, sure, I do get where his haters are coming from:
He has been on top for nearly six years now and his gimmick caters towards the children demographic. No doubt, his promos are poorly written. And yes, considering how much authority Cena has in WWE, he should be able to overrule creative if they write something foolish for him to say.
Cena is NOT funny. That is a fact. His jokes are corny, and his timing is even worse. It is also obvious that when he loses an important match, he acts as if it is no big deal. It is both annoying and detrimental at the same time.
Nonetheless, the hate towards Cena rests mostly on one fact: he is the top babyface.
Cena's hate mostly comes from the Internet fans, and going against the grain is something they are known for. Therefore, it is only fitting they prefer the heels. Actually, this has been a common theme throughout wrestling. While there was no an Internet back in the 1980s, people like Hulk Hogan were scorned by the insider writers such as Dave Meltzer.
In the 1990s, people were also sick of Stone Cold Steve Austin, believe or not. Yes, fans on the Internet believed that he did the same shtick and did the same four moves. That sounds familiar. It is not often a heel will dominate in the WWE, but when they do, the Internet will turn on them as well. Triple H and JBL are prime examples of that. Long story short, many fans despise anyone who has been on top for a long period.
Cena can only do five moves? Do not make me laugh! Cena is the biggest company man in wrestling, and some of the greats have taught him how to wrestle. Nobody has trained me, but even I can properly execute five moves. The reason Cena uses 5 traditional moves in his matches, is due to the reaction they receive.
Those five moves have a lot of significance, because the fans can see Cena is going in for the kill, per se. Boom, he hits the shoulder blocks and clotheslines. Boom, he hits the 5-knuckle shuffle. Ah, he is waiting for his opponent to get up. He has him on his shoulders...F-U!
See? There is a reason Cena's stupid 5-knuckle shuffle gets more of a reaction, than if he did a SSP, and it is because of years of developing the move's importance.
Besides, a monkey could do a moonsault, does it know when to do it, or why? You see, Cena has in-ring psychology. He knows just the right time to do his moves, as opposed to doing 50 that have no rhyme nor reason behind them.
One of my favorite matches of all time "Jerry Lawler vs. Bill Dundee" had about three moves in it, the rest were kicks and punches. Moves are just extra ingredients that help build and tell the story of the match, which means you do not need a ton of them to make something good.
Do not be mistaken, an exhibition of flashy moves can surely be fun, but without any strings attached, it is a glorified spot-fest. Lawler and Dundee built the match by reading the crowd. They played the crowd like a yo-yo. Once they got the reaction they wanted, they would then transition to the next piece of the match, and build up to the next reaction they wanted to receive. They continued to do this until the match reached its apex (the finish).
That is wrestling, my friends.
Cena will never be known as the most athletic wrestler on the planet, but he does have respectable agility and endurance for a big man. After all, he has gone toe-to-toe in exchanges with some of the more athletic wrestlers on the planet. In fact, he is one of the best in WWE when it comes to sequencing a match. The finishes of his important matches are frequently wildly unpredictable from the audience's expectations.
When it comes to selling, Cena will never be compared to Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. In Cena's defense, though, he portrays an invincible superhero character, while Steamboat was a sympathetic babyface. An invincible superhero is supposed to no-sell. In contrast, a sympathetic babyface is supposed to depend on their ability to sell convincingly. Thus, comparing the two is somewhat impractical in the first place. Apples, meet oranges.
When it is needed, Cena can play a convincing face-in-peril. I mean check out his match versus Brock Lesnar, if you do not believe me. I for one, thought the match was going to be stopped right after it started. Does a short stoppage ever happen on a PPV's main event in wrestling? That is exactly my point.
When the time is right, Cena always brings his A-game. Even though he has reigned supreme for the better part of a decade on the highest platform there is in wrestling, he rarely ever gives a lackluster effort in a big match. Instead, he continuously brings his fire, energy, and intensity to the ring. His passion and heart are nearly unparalleled since they are evident in each match.
When will the lying stop? When will the excuses stop? Cena has had great matches and no, he has not been carried through them. The term "carried" has truthfully become something people toss around just so they do not have to give credit to someone they dislike.
Even if you do hate him, it is time to start giving credit to Cena for being a top-tier worker.
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Editor's Note: This FanPost has been mildly edited for promotion to the front page and various sections within Cageside Seats for your enjoyment, Cagesiders!


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