WNS Column: The Age of Cena - The Generalised Wrestling Fans Perception

The June 22^nd 2002 edition of Smackdown. Arguably one of the most successful debuts within the history of the newly renamed WWE product occurred, one in which would redefine the landscape and sculpture of the entire wrestling business for many years to follow – an event that is still felt within the context of the modern day wrestling product. In an age where many Attitude Era favourites including Steve Austin & The Rock began to distance themselves from the wrestling industry in pursuit of opposing ventures or opportunities, 2002 could arguably be described as a year of development in collaboration with foresight towards the future of the product. The arrival of up and coming talents including Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton and Batista provided the WWE with the essential basis to gear towards a new generation of wrestling fans. In connection to such perceptions, the June 22^nd 2002 edition of Smackdown ushered in the beginning of ‘Ruthless Aggression’ & the debut of an individual many wrestling fans love to hate: John Cena.

The initial years associated within the context of John Cena’s career could be considered an entire world away from the character many have come to expect over the duration of the past 8-9 years. After adapting his gimmick to portray a rapper who would incorporate rhyming lyrics into his promos, ‘The Doctor of Thuganomics’ was promoted as one of the companies brightest lights throughout the early-mid 2000s. Entering into wrestling programs with Brock Lesnar for the WWE Undisputed Championship at Backlash 2003 & The Undertaker at Vengeance 2003, despite walking out of both events as the beaten competitor, Cena provided excellent showings on both occasions, firmly securing his position within the company as a credible and trustworthy talent. Despite having only been an active roster member for a solitary year, it was evident that only good things were to come for John Cena.

After an impressive showing in the 2004 Royal Rumble contest, Cena would go on to secure his first taste of singles gold in the opening contest of WrestleMania 20, defeating The Big Show via pinfall to secure the United States Championship. Surprising to some within the context of the modern day wrestling product, Cena was considered as one of the most enjoyable characters associated within the company at the time, receiving numerous plaudits from fans and critics alike. This was followed by achieving his first WWE Championship against ‘JBL’ John Bradshaw Layfield at WrestleMania 21, an event in which Cena proceeded to leap into the first row of the crowd immediately following his victory & seemingly a decision that many were pleased to see. This followed an impressive 2005 Royal Rumble when Cena remained as one of the remaining two entrants within the context of the contest alongside Batista, both having debuted in 2002. At the WrestleMania 21 event, both would go on to become World Champions.. Nine years on, what has changed and why is John Cena arguably the most hated man in professional wrestling?

For many wrestling fans throughout the world, the answer to the preceding question is quite simple: the company’s consistent arrogance in recognition of protecting the character and gimmick of John Cena has taken its toll for the duration of almost an entire decade. The purpose of said article is not to belittle the accomplishments of Cena, nor is it to pose an alternative to the solutions or essential requirements to redeem the character for the majority of the wrestling population, it remains a personalised opinion that such attempts would not be successful.

Throughout the duration of the ‘Age of Cena’, an era that has amounted to nine years thus far (and still counting to this day..), the opportunity to compete amongst many of the industries finest is one to be desired by many opposing members of the active WWE roster: Edge, Kurt Angle, CM Punk & The Rock to name only a few. Such victories against the likes of Angle or Triple H could arguably be warranted – such Attitude Era favourites contain prestigious reputations despite the influence of win/lose records. In comparison, victories over the likes of Batista or Randy Orton could essentially be decided in favour of either athlete due to the influence of similar careers and approaches adapted over the duration of the previous 12 years. It is a generalised perception amongst many wrestling fans that defeating prior favourites who may have been heavily associated within the context of the ‘Golden Era’ of the WWE – The Attitude Era was an acceptable approach & in some viewpoints essential to the natural progression of the wrestling industry as a whole, but the manner in which John Cena has been perceived in encounters alongside talented youngsters or up & comers of the modern era is repetitive & predictable.

‘Super Cena’ – a modern day wrestling related term to describe the latter stages of any average John Cena contest. After receiving a seemingly inhumane amount of punishment, the spirit of Cena rises from the ashes to secure victory in a repetitive, yet similar fashion – the Attitude Adjustment, or as a fan of the preceding product: the FU. At SummerSlam 2013, Daniel Bryan successfully secured victory over Cena to win the WWE Championship. This was immediately followed by Randy Orton who cashed in the RAW Money In The Bank briefcase, winning the title for an 11^th occasion. At the Royal Rumble 2014 event, it took a Wyatt Family distraction for Orton to successfully defend the championship against one man. Yes, you guessed it – John Cena. At WrestleMania 30, Cena overcame the odds of the three members of The Wyatt Family, successfully handing Bray Wyatt his first singles lose since his inception and debut in August 2013. The list truly does go on and on in recognition of the WWE’s evident protection of their biggest star.

The WWE currently faces its biggest ‘boom’ in relation to wrestling talent since the class of ’02. The development and following of modern favourites such as The Wyatt Family, the former members of The Shield (Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose) & Cesaro to name only a few is continuing to grow with each passing week. At the Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View, will the mould be broken like it was in ’05 by the WWE presenting a younger talent with the ultimate prize – the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, or will an experienced veteran such as John Cena rise to the ‘top of the mountain’ once again? Based on the past nine years, don’t be surprised to expect few changes for a couple of years to come... 

- Andrew Fletcher, @Fletchyyy on Twitter.