Cena's future after Lesnar?

HeathenWolf · 16-09-2014 5:41pm #1

Is it possible for Cena to eventually turn heel or possibly fade into obscurity when this feud with Lesnar ends? I've been getting a feeling this last while now that something is going to happen with John, like the WWE is going to put him in a more minor role while helping give rise to Roman Reigns, who is supposed to take Cena's place as the company's poster child.
It would be really frustrating if they had him continue the "never give up" crap. If they drag on this "SuperCena" gimmick, he will never get the chance to properly fade out of the company spotlight in his final years.

What do you think?

rovert · 16-09-2014 5:50pm

Looking forward to the bookies odds for Sunday and Cena winning.

Roman Reigns is way, way, way behind schedule in terms of in ring, promos, overness etc to be on track to be the DUDE at Wrestlemania and ultimately replace Cena.

brianregan09 · 16-09-2014 5:53pm

Win lose or draw Cena is going to be around for a long time yet

HeathenWolf · 16-09-2014 5:55pm

rovert wrote: »

Roman Reigns is way, way, way behind schedule in terms of in ring, promos, overness etc to be on track to be the DUDE at Wrestlemania and ultimately replace Cena.

Yeah, WWE management are said to be getting less and less keen on him now because his in-ring ability is nothing compared to Cena's. WWE just needs to have more faith in the superstars they want to push because they lose faith in them far too soon.

Lord TSC · 16-09-2014 5:55pm

As I said in the Raw topic, they tease heel turns on a regular basis now, usually as a lazy alternative to actually coming up with a proper story. They've lost most of their impact and while I'd love to see it for his characters sake, I've given up ever seeing him turn.

The reality is he sells to much merch to turn, and his promo last week sums up well why he won't; he doesn't need to, he doesn't want to and there's no one else anywhere near his level, or coming close to it.

There's an inevitable feud with Rusev coming up. Could even be what's up next for him after Lesnar this Sunday. That's his future. There's a feud with Rollins too, long term, with the briefcase probably. There's more heels, imo, who are on a near level to feud with him, than faces to fight him if he turns.

Unless Bryan miraculously recovers, or unless they bring Punk back (both of which aren't happening), they'd be suicidal to turn him at the moment. That said, might force them to actually develop a new top level face. Get rid of the safety net....

rovert · 16-09-2014 6:01pm

Lord TSC wrote: »

There's an inevitable feud with Rusev coming up. Could even be what's up next for him after Lesnar this Sunday. That's his future. There's a feud with Rollins too, long term, with the briefcase probably. There's more heels, imo, who are on a near level to feud with him, than faces to fight him if he turns.

Well Cena is wrestling Kane at the 3Arena Dublin in November. :eek:

HeathenWolf · 16-09-2014 6:02pm

Lord TSC wrote: »

As I said in the Raw topic, they tease heel turns on a regular basis now, usually as a lazy alternative to actually coming up with a proper story. They've lost most of their impact and while I'd love to see it for his characters sake, I've given up ever seeing him turn.

The reality is he sells to much merch to turn, and his promo last week sums up well why he won't; he doesn't need to, he doesn't want to and there's no one else anywhere near his level, or coming close to it.

There's an inevitable feud with Rusev coming up. Could even be what's up next for him after Lesnar this Sunday. That's his future. There's a feud with Rollins too, long term, with the briefcase probably. There's more heels, imo, who are on a near level to feud with him, than faces to fight him if he turns.

Unless Bryan miraculously recovers, or unless they bring Punk back (both of which aren't happening), they'd be suicidal to turn him at the moment. That said, might force them to actually develop a new top level face. Get rid of the safety net....

It could potentially go down that Cena wins the WWE Championship from Lesnar at Night of Champions then Rollins cashes in his briefcase, wins the title that night and that starts a feud between the two while Lesnar disappears from the WWE once more.

WWE has one too many top babyfaces at the minute so it looks turn one of them heel soon.

brianregan09 · 16-09-2014 6:04pm

IF Cena ever does turn , (which i doubt) it'll be Hogan like i think,

CSF · 16-09-2014 6:17pm

HeathenWolf wrote: »

Yeah, WWE management are said to be getting less and less keen on him now because his in-ring ability is nothing compared to Cena's. WWE just needs to have more faith in the superstars they want to push because they lose faith in them far too soon.

He really is very bad though. He is limited in the ring, and very limited in terms of mic work, where is the potential?

HeathenWolf · 16-09-2014 6:22pm

CSF wrote: »

He really is very bad though. He is limited in the ring, and very limited in terms of mic work, where is the potential?

Cena only ever uses five moves and does the same routine in every match, though WWE keeps him on top because he sells merch. Other than that, Cena has little to no talent as an in-ring performer, at least not since his first WWE Championship run.

HeathenWolf · 16-09-2014 6:23pm

CSF wrote: »

He really is very bad though. He is limited in the ring, and very limited in terms of mic work, where is the potential?

Reigns isn't all bad, and certainly has more talent when compared to the type of guys the WWE have pushed before. Take John Cena for example, he only ever uses five moves and does the same routine in every match, though WWE keeps him on top because he sells merch. Other than that, Cena has little to no talent as an in-ring performer, at least not since his first WWE Championship run.

rovert · 16-09-2014 6:28pm

HeathenWolf wrote: »

Other than that, Cena has little to no talent as an in-ring performer, at least not since his first WWE Championship run.

We are not having this discussion in 2014. Cena rarely has a bad match and has a huge body of work of very good to great matches with a large variety of opponents of varying abilities.

brianregan09 · 16-09-2014 6:29pm

Yeah Cena is class , I just hate his character , His ability to put on a match is stellar though , I do wish he'd sell his injuries a bit more though

Lord TSC · 16-09-2014 6:32pm

Here is a major difference between having no talent and deciding to "be safe" and not use it.

Cena has shown plenty of times to have a tonne of ability and the ability to have top level matches. He just tends...not to....

Moneymaker · 16-09-2014 6:34pm

HeathenWolf wrote: »

Other than that, Cena has little to no talent as an in-ring performer, at least not since his first WWE Championship run.

Oh come on.

HeathenWolf · 16-09-2014 6:35pm

rovert wrote: »

We are not having this discussion in 2014. Cena rarely has a bad match and has a huge body of work of very good to great matches with a large variety of opponents of varying abilities.

All I'm saying is that he had a more colourful move set back in 04/05.

rovert · 16-09-2014 6:37pm

HeathenWolf wrote: »

All I'm saying is that he had a more colourful move set back in 04/05.

You said Cena has little to no talent as an in-ring performer.

Anyway when has a long term WWE Champion been about his massive moveset?

HeathenWolf · 16-09-2014 6:39pm

rovert wrote: »

You said Cena has little to no talent as an in-ring performer.

In my opinion, he doesn't. Mainly because he keeps reusing the same moves.

HeathenWolf · 16-09-2014 6:40pm

rovert wrote: »

Anyway when has a long term WWE Champion been about his massive moveset?

I'm not saying that was the case, just saying he had a bigger variety of moves before and during his first big title run.

krudler · 16-09-2014 6:47pm

HeathenWolf wrote: »

In my opinion, he doesn't. Mainly because he keeps reusing the same moves.

Every top guy does. Hell Bret Hart's matches followed the same pattern nearly every time.

ShagNastii · 16-09-2014 6:47pm

brianregan09 wrote: »

IF Cena ever does turn , (which i doubt) it'll be Hogan like i think,

I really hope it is. I fear, if/when Cena turns it might not be treated as a truly colossal moment in wrestling history but just another angle.

CSF · 16-09-2014 6:54pm

Cena>>>>>Reigns at both wrestling and mic work.

HeathenWolf · 16-09-2014 7:06pm

CSF wrote: »

Cena>>>>>Reigns at both wrestling and mic work.

No doubt about that. I think Reigns can improve but it remains to be seen whether he can or not. Cena's promo on last week's Raw was probably the best promo of 2014.

CSF · 16-09-2014 7:12pm

HeathenWolf wrote: »

No doubt about that. I think Reigns can improve but it remains to be seen whether he can or not. Cena's promo on last week's Raw was probably the best promo of 2014.

I think everyone can improve, but Reigns looks to have a very low ceiling for potential

thebostoncrab · 16-09-2014 7:31pm

HeathenWolf wrote: »

I'm not saying that was the case, just saying he had a bigger variety of moves before and during his first big title run.

So did Austin. And The Rock. And HHH. And Hogan.

The difference is busting out big moves night after night takes a greater toll on your body, and makes those moves less special. When you're the top dog you need to do everything to stay top dog, and that includes limiting your move set.

Scavenger XIII · 16-09-2014 10:23pm

Lord TSC wrote: »

Cena has shown plenty of times to have a tonne of ability and the ability to have top level matches. He just tends...not to....

This. We all know Cena can do great things, he just generally... doesn't.

Rjd2 · 16-09-2014 10:50pm

brianregan09 wrote: »

IF Cena ever does turn , (which i doubt) it'll be Hogan like i think,

I am starting to think it may never happen. Business wise while the company is not going bankrupt soon, its not exactly a boom era especially with the Network not doing well, so I don't think turning the one guy who is outdrawing the rest of the roster would get much positive feedback from Vince.

Maybe if Reigns could somehow prove he could do the same business that cena does, it could happen, but it is doubtful.

Creatively he will always be booked strong, hopefully in the next year or so maybe move him to as a special attraction type guy.

Strongbow10 · 17-09-2014 12:56am

CSF wrote: »

I think everyone can improve, but Reigns looks to have a very low ceiling for potential

Vince is known to be quite shallow in fairness. Reigns definately looks the part in terms of appearance but he definately has a low ceiling in terms of potential. I was never that impressed with his ring work, and his mic work isn't really up to scratch either.

A previous poster hit the nail on the head, Reigns is the one who has suffered most from the break up of the shield. Rollins and Ambrose have flourished in terms of being over.

But in WWE world, both will always have their ceiling lowered due to their association with other companies and WWE will feel they will never get 100% credit for creating them. Same with Punk and Daniel Bryan to a certain extent.

WWE want to be able to take the credit for every aspect of a performer being showcased.

kronsington · 17-09-2014 3:22am

rovert wrote: »

Looking forward to the bookies odds for Sunday and Cena winning.

Roman Reigns is way, way, way behind schedule in terms of in ring, promos, overness etc to be on track to be the DUDE at Wrestlemania and ultimately replace Cena.

Nail on the head re Reigns.. Personally I don't really get the hype.. In time he may very well prove to be the man but right now he has a lot to work on.. Can you work on charisma? Doubtful. Someone like John Morrison would have been a huge star if he had he ability to cut a promo, which he didn't. Had the look like Reigns, superb athleticism but zero charisma. Reigns has the look, decent in ring ability but is severely lacking Charisma wise and it very much remains to be seen if he'll reach the levels wwe allegedly have in place for him

kronsington · 17-09-2014 3:25am

Lord TSC wrote: »

As I said in the Raw topic, they tease heel turns on a regular basis now, usually as a lazy alternative to actually coming up with a proper story. They've lost most of their impact and while I'd love to see it for his characters sake, I've given up ever seeing him turn.

The reality is he sells to much merch to turn, and his promo last week sums up well why he won't; he doesn't need to, he doesn't want to and there's no one else anywhere near his level, or coming close to it.

There's an inevitable feud with Rusev coming up. Could even be what's up next for him after Lesnar this Sunday. That's his future. There's a feud with Rollins too, long term, with the briefcase probably. There's more heels, imo, who are on a near level to feud with him, than faces to fight him if he turns.

Unless Bryan miraculously recovers, or unless they bring Punk back (both of which aren't happening), they'd be suicidal to turn him at the moment. That said, might force them to actually develop a new top level face. Get rid of the safety net....

Am I missing something here re Bryan? Is his recovery in doubt? Why would it be miraculous? Is his career in danger? I sit follow these boards avidly

Lord TSC · 17-09-2014 7:18am

kronsington wrote: »

Am I missing something here re Bryan? Is his recovery in doubt? Why would it be miraculous? Is his career in danger? I sit follow these boards avidly

Last I heard, he still needed another surgery and early 2015 (Royal Rumble) was when he was due back. Point was that he wouldn't be able to assume the role of top challenger and Cena replacement for a while yet.

As for Reigns...can anyone imagine him decking out in merch like Cena or even Bryan? Reigns hasn't even had a solo shirt yet, has he? He is utterly untested in the merch selling department....

gerrybbadd · 17-09-2014 2:15pm

I've seen articles on the net that predict Cena to become a Heyman guy, thus turning heel. Heyman would need to turn on Brock as well.

If anybody could make a heel turn successful for Cena, it would be Heyman in my opinion. I just see this scenario happening though.

Mokuba · 17-09-2014 2:37pm

Heard that Bryan didn't need another surgery and would be back by Survivor Series.

As for Cena, it's a really rotten spot they are in with him. Can't turn him, need new feuds, desire to keep him somewhat protected, probably the most stale character in the history of the organisation, but is the top draw.

He just kills anything fresh with momentum though - Nexus (Jericho and Edge thought what he did there was beyond stupid - link

), Ryder, Wyatt, Ryback etc.

Cena's future after Lesnar?

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