[WNS Columns] The Hydden View: The IWC has got Cena All Wrong

First, let me clear up what I mean by the Internet Wrestling Community (IWC). We live in a world where everyone has a computer, smart phone, or IPAD, and some sort of social media account such as Facebook or Twitter. This also means everyone has an opinion, one that they think matters because when they post they get 11 likes. When I say the IWC I mean the fans that constantly share their opinions, complain about the product, and then encourage people to stop watching it, but they themselves have their cable box auto tuned to the next wrestling program to air, this is the IWC I want to talk to.

For the past 5 or 6 years the biggest complaint has been about John Cena, the three major complaints being

• He is forced down our throats?

• He has only has 5 moves?

• He does not put anyone else over?

Let me kill the first two, if you don’t like it change the channel, and don’t go back, no one is forcing you. And only 5 moves? How do people even say this with a straight face? Alright now we’ve handled that.  Let’s talk about the last complaint; he does not put other wrestlers over.

Who remembers back to June 2002, one of the most established stars at that time was Kurt Angle. One of the greatest things about being established is having the ability to put new talent over. Because of Smackdown 15 we all have relived John Cena’s debut against Kurt Angle June 27, 2002. Cena didn’t win that match but it started establishing him as a potential star from day one.   Cena’s next feud was Chris Jericho, another star that was secure in his spot in WWE; Cena the fan favorite, won this feud at Vengeance. He had been put over by two top stars in his first 6 months. Cena continued building his character we all know the story, but he was eventually put over again by the Big Show to win the United States Championship. For the next few years he would feud with much of the top talent. I know what you’re thinking; he got put over, so why isn’t he repaying the favor? Well he is, just the thinking is flawed.

John Cena has debatably become the most recognizable star in the history of the WWE, making himself and the company millions. He is a fan favorite among many, yes before you say it many are kids. His work with children and various charities speaks for itself.

Let’s go back to 2010; you all know the feud, the one with Nexus where he refused to put Wade Barrett over or so says the IWC. John Cena feuded with Nexus for several months, and there leader Wade Barrett. Cena beat Barrett at TLC 2010, when the feud came to an end seemingly at the 2011 Royal rumble many complained he hadn’t put Barrett over.

Now let’s jump to the 2013 feud with the Wyatt’s, I don’t have to go into detail, this feud should be fresh in any wrestling fans memory. This feud ended at Pay Back in a last man standing match, with Cena winning. Once again the IWC complaining Cena didn’t put Wyatt over.

This leads me to the present situation Cena is in with Ambrose and Rollins. Many asking why Cena had to insert himself into their feud, some in the IWC saying he couldn’t stand someone else having a decent feud.

Are you kidding me? First let’s get this out of the way, John Cena has put over more young talent than I can count; he is in the same class as Jericho. He most certainly put over Wyatt, Barrett, and is putting over Ambrose and Rollins.

Just getting into a ring and being able to do promos with John Cena is a privilege for these youngsters. Now I will agree Ambrose and Wyatt have some great promos, but when they were going back and forth with Cena there promos were that much better. Ambrose’s back and forth with Cena this past Monday was brought to another level for him, he was amazing and so was Cena.

After all the matches were done, and most being great matches, I questioned how the IWC can say Cena isn’t putting new talent over, and I figured it out, it’s because of narrow-minded thinking. All the feuds have ended with Cena gaining a victory and moving on to another program. Why is it a wrestler is not put over if they lose?

It’s simple comic book math, and this is where the IWC is getting it wrong. There is 6 Superman movies, 7 Batman movies, 2 Captain America movies, 3 Iron Man movies, that’s 18 movies total, in how many of those movies did the hero lose at the end? You guessed it not one. We live in a world where there is so many bad things happening each day; we still need to believe in the theory good defeats evil. That’s what John Cena is; he is the superhero of the WWE, defeating the bad guys after he struggles. This basic theory has made money for years, the hero has to win. Much like Daniel Bryan eventually won.

In closing Cena buries no one, he does his part to get them over. In some cases such as Zack Ryder and Wade Barrett the talent or timing just isn’t right. Ryder wasn’t believable as a top guy, and if you ask me was a victim of bad writing. Barrett has been injury prone. Cena is not to fault there. Ambrose and Wyatt will be stars in the future, if they don’t derail themselves. Rollins will be given the opportunity but I feel he also may suffer from not having the complete package. But for now John Cena is the hero of the current WWE.