JOHN CENA - WORD LIFE!

[Marc the Smark]

Okay, his gimmick works. It got him over, and that's the full purpose of any gimmick. But he hasn't been doing it for long, and it's already getting bland. Now that we've taken to him, we need to know him more. If he's going to main event, he needs to show that he's more than a gimmick. We need to know he's a wrestler (who happens to rap), not a rapper (who happens to wrestle).

Also, sometimes his ability is criticised, but he has all the basics covered. It's just the little things like timing and transitions that need improving. And these are all things that will come with time and experience. His charisma shines through in his matches, which is a really good thing. But he needs to be able to make the fans care more. Again, this would come down to his ability to tell a story in a match, something that will come with experience.

Pros: Fantastic physique- look is so important; Good verbal skills; good ring work; successful gimmick; he's now over; still young.

Cons: Can seem over-gimmicky, we must start to see more of the real john Cena before the gimmick inevitably turns stale and interest in Cena falls away... he needs to prove that he can still be over without it. It's only one con - but it's a big one!

Let me know what you think.

[The CyNick]

Actually, I think what we see is the real John Cena.

Obviously he needs to get better in the ring in order to main event, but that will come with experience.

In terms of promos, I'd like to see him steer away from rapping every promo, and cut some standard wrestling promos that drive people to buy tix (see Mick Foley's work). I wouldn't lose the rapping altogether, but I dont think he should do it in every promo.

[James Steele]

And quit looking (that damn glove) and acting liek Michael Jackson!


And get rid of that stupid "Choke On Deez Nutz" thing... it sounds like when a 12 year old tries to make fun of somebody, but is trying way way too hard.

[Shadow]

Choak on Deez Nutz! But, yeah, the rap gimmick is getting a little stale. He needs to get back to his original gimmick. "Ruthless Agression." That's what I wanna see.

[Marc the Smark]

Choak on Deez Nutz! But, yeah, the rap gimmick is getting a little stale. He needs to get back to his original gimmick. "Ruthless Agression." That's what I wanna see.

Hell yeah. He's had three gimmicks during his young career (that I'm aware of): "The Prototype," "Ruthless Aggression," and "Thuganomics." He's pulled them all off with absolute perfection. And yes, I know he's still "over" with the mainstream crowd, but how much longer will this last? I want him to do well, but I'm afraid he's getting stale (like you said).

[ColdwaVer]

...sometimes his ability is criticised, but he has all the basics covered. It's just the little things like timing and transitions that need improving. And these are all things that will come with time and experience.

For these and some other reasons, WWE made a good choice by giving him the US title and not forcing him into full-time main event status.

[Marc the Smark]

For these and some other reasons, WWE made a good choice by giving him the US title and not forcing him into full-time main event status.

But I don't think with this gimmick he'd be able to be there anyway. It's really a shame. They've taken a decent worker and turned him into a gimmick. I think he's better than this.

[Sting Fan]

I have no problem with Cenas gimmick i think it is gold but i think what he needs is to be driven to the edge and to crack. I think they need to find someone who someone who just goes to far and he walks to the ring and there is no "Yo Yo Check It" just either a complete rage and no rhymes or a slow deliberate speech about how he is going to destroy that person. He needs to show that when it comes down to it he can be intense and then add it to his match like no 5 knuckle shuffle or you cant see me stuff just pure war and i think it could add another dimension to his charachter.

Oh and yeah the whole "Choke on these nutz" thing has to go its to childish.

[MVP]

If Cena can ditch the rapping promos and come up with a bunch of catch phrases like The Rock, and have a second finisher I think he's all set.

Cena is pretty talented in the ring, it's just that he's always booked to look like a pussy in the ring sometimes, and it pisses me off.

[PureHatred]

I agree with CyNick. The rapping should start fading away and be left for "special occassions." Just start cutting regular promos and let some of his natural charisma show through.

He could stop pumping up his shoes, though. That's full-fledged corny.

[Xero]

I dont see the current gimmick being dropped, especially with his CD coming out this summer...

That said, I wish he had debuted in the WWE as the Prototype... I remember seeing a documentry and he was new and got the job... I never saw it, but Im sure it was a kick ass gimmick...

[Kane Knight]

Cena's got the goods. He's a mad entertaining guy, he's hugely over, and he's a better wrestler than most of the people with his level of charisma (There are obvious exceptions, as I think Jericho blows his fu</>cking ass away).

The problem is, his freestyles are getting stale, and he could use some more experience before he's put in the main event. If they don't have him cut a freestyle for every promo, as other people have said, that could be remedied fast.

[Kane Knight]

I agree with CyNick. The rapping should start fading away and be left for "special occassions." Just start cutting regular promos and let some of his natural charisma show through.

He could stop pumping up his shoes, though. That's full-fledged corny.
I'd rather see him get rid of "choke on these nuts" first.

[Rock Bottom]

I think John Cena is going to be stale, but LOL at the thought of him going back to that ruthless aggression shit.

[Wondermouse]

Cena also needs a new finisher.

He could turn his standing fireman's carry into a powerbomb. After he throws the person off, he could fall down with it. Call it the "F-U 2."

[spd10000]

For these and some other reasons, WWE made a good choice by giving him the US title and not forcing him into full-time main event status.

Oh I get it now. They gave him the U.S. title, in hopes that he'd magically improve and get prepared for the next level. :roll: Please, he was cool in the beginning, but the novelty's worn off. He's awful in the ring - he doesn't even do a drop kick - and the people only like him because they think he's a good rapper. :roll:

[Funky Fly]

Cena also needs a new finisher.

He could turn his standing fireman's carry into a powerbomb. After he throws the person off, he could fall down with it. Call it the "F-U 2."
A modified Whiplash?

Where is Lash LeRoux these days anyway?

[Kane Knight]

Oh I get it now. They gave him the U.S. title, in hopes that he'd magically improve and get prepared for the next level. :roll:
Wow. Did you take Stupid Lessons to come to this conclusion or what?

[spd10000]

Wow. Did you take Stupid Lessons to come to this conclusion or what?

It's called "sarcasm."

[Kane Knight]

It's called "sarcasm."
No, I got the sarcasm.

Your underlying comment was stupid.

[blake639raw]

Cena is the shit, but he has no direction right now. He's stuck feuding with Rene Dupree. Nothing against Dupree, who I really like, and think has unlimited potential, but the most over guy in the company shouldn't be feuding with somebody like Dupree. Orton just put on a classic with Foley, now Cena is feuding with Dupree? Cena needs a big time feud, ala Orton, to really establish himself.

[PureHatred]

He's on Smackdown. Who exactly is he going to have a "big time" feud with? He's probably more established as far as his charater than anyone on that roster. Booker is just turning heel, Bradshaw is in the midst of a push, Show and Angle are on the DL...so unless you turn either RVD, Eddie, Undertaker, or Cena himself, this feud with Dupree makes the most sense.

[Hardkore Kidd J]

I actually like his gimmick. But, I agree with everybody else as much of a rap fan I am I would like him to just cut a promo once in a while instead of cutting a freestyle every week :y:

[blake639raw]

He's on Smackdown. Who exactly is he going to have a "big time" feud with? He's probably more established as far as his charater than anyone on that roster. Booker is just turning heel, Bradshaw is in the midst of a push, Show and Angle are on the DL...so unless you turn either RVD, Eddie, Undertaker, or Cena himself, this feud with Dupree makes the most sense. I just think their feud would have been better if Dupree would have been established for a few months beforehand. You have a point about their not being any big names for him to feud with, but I think Haas would have been a better opponent before Dupree.

[Marc the Smark]

Should Cena be on RAW?

[SeanMC]

^ i think he should but the thing is that would destroy the SD! roster even further, so mayeb not at this present time. I also think one way they could stop him from getting stale is by becoming heel, that way he could refuse to do all that rapping shit(even though i like that kinda music, but his freestyles are getting stale, and they ain't even freestyles) and it would make sense. It would be cool to see him turn heel to, and plus SD! has a lack of heels, so IMO that's what they should do...

[Marc the Smark]

^ i think he should but the thing is that would destroy the SD! roster even further, so mayeb not at this present time. I also think one way they could stop him from getting stale is by becoming heel, that way he could refuse to do all that rapping shit(even though i like that kinda music, but his freestyles are getting stale, and they ain't even freestyles) and it would make sense. It would be cool to see him turn heel to, and plus SD! has a lack of heels, so IMO that's what they should do...

But would he get the same push on RAW that he's getting on Smackdown?

[SeanMC]

Doubt it until he would be a really established heel on SD! or something, maybe he should just stay on SD! but im desperate to see an Orton/Cena feud for some reason

[Marc the Smark]

Doubt it until he would be a really established heel on SD! or something, maybe he should just stay on SD! but im desperate to see an Orton/Cena feud for some reason

Yeah, that'd be great, and I'm sure it'll happen eventually. The problem with Cena being on Monday Night Raw is that he'd probably get squashed by the man called Triple H. I wouldn't want that to happen.

[Fox]

I just think their feud would have been better if Dupree would have been established for a few months beforehand. You have a point about their not being any big names for him to feud with, but I think Haas would have been a better opponent before Dupree.

As good as Haas is, he's even less over than Rene Dupree is, and atleast Rene has a great gimmick going for him. As has been said before, Cena vs. Dupree was the best decision at this time.

[SeanMC]

Cena V Dupree seems ok i guess just to build up Cena's experience as mentioned earlier the more feuds he has the more experience he'll gain at how to tell a story through a match, there's no point in rushing him into main event status, otherwise you'll all complain he's being shoved down your throats.

[Marc the Smark]

He's awful in the ring - he doesn't even do a drop kick - and the people only like him because they think he's a good rapper. :roll:

I wouldn't say he's "awful." In fact, he's actually a decent worker, but his gimmick precludes him from showing that. Did you see his debut match against the Olympic gold medalist??? :eek:

[Kane Knight]

Should Cena be on RAW?
Depends. Do you want Smackdown to be totally devoid of big and established names?

[Marc the Smark]

Depends. Do you want Smackdown to be totally devoid of big and established names?

No, I meant, should he have been traded to Raw in exchange for someone else. (I should've been clearer.)

[Wondermouse]

A modified Whiplash?

Where is Lash LeRoux these days anyway?

Lash showed up in TNA a few weeks ago, and he's a bit larger now.

http://www.nwatna.com/multimedia/backstage/2004/3/31/large/7.jpg
http://www.nwatna.com/multimedia/backstage/2004/4/15/large/7.jpg

I've always been a huge Lash mark. He's not really from Louisiana, but his father was born in my - and his kayfabe - hometown, Lafayette, Louisiana. "Ragin' Cajun" is actually the local school nickname: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns.

He also draws cartoons (http://www.lashleroux.com/toons.asp) in his spare time.

[PureHatred]

No, I meant, should he have been traded to Raw in exchange for someone else. (I should've been clearer.)

Listen, you can only give out so many big pushes on one show. Between Orton and Shelton and Kane getting re-established and the Xtian/Jericho feud, where would Cena fit in? Who's going to out him over? Flair, again, as if that has any meaning any more?

The purpose of the brand extension is to have two reasonably blanced shows. Cena is a mainstay on Smackdown. The fact that they can match up Renee with someone as new as Cena and this feud is going to get Renee madly over as a heel is just sign of how popular Cena really is. He's basically doing what The Rock has done in his last few runs in the WWE: come in, get the crowd worked up, and put over the new guy to get them heat with the crowd. And because Rocky, and now Cena, are so damn popular, whether or not they actually go over doesn't matter; fans still love them.

As a matter of fact, after this Dupree thing is done, I wouldn;t be surprised if Cena was fed another midcarder like Jindrak or Haas just to get that worker over, too. And by the end of the year he'll get a big name feud against Booker T (who might be SD's biggest heel by then) or Undertaker (who if he turned, would definitely be SD's biggest heel).

Either way, outside of some minor tweaks, I don't see one damn thing wrong with the way the WWE has used John Cena--he got over ridiculously fast and now he's being given some time to establish himself while still being one of the main stars on Smackdown. With Angle out, he and Eddie are the guys that show should be built around.

[El Santo]

I'd be for Cena moving to Raw, since I'd like to see a Cena/Orton feud as well, but only if they trade for someone who is equal in status. Jericho for example. Really, does Jericho have anything on his horizons after his feud with Christian is over?

[PureHatred]

With enough build-up Cena and Orton could do Rock/Hogan numbers. Why should the WWE blow their load now when there's no real reason to?

[Mikey]

I'd rather see him get rid of "choke on these nuts" first.


I agree. John Cena has really been watered down since he turned face :(

[Kane Knight]

The problem is, I think moving people from Show to Show kind of hampers their momentum.

some people only get/watch Raw.

Some people only get/watch Smackdown!

I mean, it's not like these guys are coming from Japan or WcW anymore, out of the blue, but they are less interesting to a lot of people than the established stars. So Raw might be a better place for Cena (or not), but we have to play musical chairs and risk killing a couple people's momentum.

Plus, I think Smackdown needs people with massive charisma. If the show is all cruiserweights and such, It'll be boring to a LOT of people. Eddie's got some real personality, and Cena does, and after that, you have to dig pretty hard to find people (Not counting Rico, because his gimmick will bury him for sure). They're great in the athetics dept, but a little lacking elsewhere.

[PureHatred]

I think this is one of those cases where the roster split is really going to work. Back in the day fans yearned for a Hogan/Flair match or Warrior/Sting. But it was impossible at the time because they were in different companies. Now you have Orton and Cena, two men who look like they're going to be the future of the WWE, travelling along parallel career paths, separated by their brands. Orton will be defending the IC belt against Edge, and eventuallty taking on guys like Shelton Benjamin, Shawn Michales, and possibly Triple H. Cena will get a run with Dupree, but move on to bigger feuds with Booker T or the Undertaker. But all along fans will want to see Orton vs Cena.

And I'm not talking about their in-ring credentials. I'm talking about the way the two are being pushed.

And when this match does happen, after a year or year and 1/2, with a tease or two here and there, the reaction is going to be enormous. It's going to be the modern day Warrior/Hogan. The build, the anticipation, the hype....

Cena vs Orton WM22. I'm calling it now.

[Marc the Smark]

Cena Vs. Orton... I wonder who would win...

Anyway, I can't stress it enough. When he started with "Thuganomics," I thought he'd never last. A lot of people felt the same way. But he's still on SD and is one of its top talents. Plus his fan base is huge. You know what this says? It says he can take a crappy gimmick and make it work. That says a lot about him.

But something needs to change, sooner or later. Lately his mic work has been very painful to listen to. Sometimes, when he scrapes the bottom of the barrel to try and be witty, he almost sounds like K-kwik.

Cena's got TONS of potential, and he's no Benoit but he can still work. We need to see another side of him, and he'll be on his way to main even matches.

[spd10000]

Why are you people talking about when he's going to main event? He's lucky he's where he is now. Besides, don't any of you know that rap music sucks?

[Kane Knight]

:lol:

And your opinion will supercede the popularity of rap, or Cena's massive popularity in and of himself.

Good one, skippy.

[Kane Knight]

HEY EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STOP SUPPORTING JOHN CENA!!! SPD1000000 DOESN'T LIKE HIM! MASSIVE POPULARITY BE DAMNED, THE WORLD REVOLVES AROUND SPD1000000000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Loose Cannon]

oh boy, I've found some material for the next part of my skit.

[PureHatred]

I told you spd10000 was going to steal that show.

[spd10000]

:D :D :D

[Marc the Smark]

WOW. I don't know much about this guy, but he's got a lot of heat.

[Kane Knight]

It's X-Pac heat though.

Mostly, heat for being a total moron.

[Marc the Smark]

It's X-Pac heat though.

Mostly, heat for being a total moron.

But could he be doing it on purpose? Like just to get a rise? If enough people ignore him maybe he'll just go away?

[Kane Knight]

Well, naturally.

Anyone could.

The best solution is not to care. I don't give a fu</>ck if he's doing it intentionally, I just enjoy tearing stupid arguments to shreds.

Odds are, troll or moron, he's still an attention whore, but even if he's enjoying the attention, it's still win-win...

I'm easy. You can be a legit moron like sledge, or a tryhard troll like Heyman...They're all equal in my eyes.

[Lamuella]

My opinion on Cena:

He's good, and getting better, but he needs a slow burn.

They tried to hotshot him into the ME slot at Backlash last year and it was a letdown. They've let him semi-ME for a year and he's built up a lot of momentum. Right now he needs a long fighting run with the US title. He needs to add value to that title after Show took it away (Big Show is WWE's biggest heat sink right now. Cena and Lesnar are the only two people they had who looked better after a Show feud). A feud with Dupree works really well IMO. It establishes Dupree as a cocky arrogant heel who can back a lot of his stuff up, it will build to what will hopefully be a very good match, and it will show that Cena can work with a whole range of abilities, from seasoned to green. Have Cena win this feud, and immediately follow it up with another high midcard feud. Charlie Haas would (as people have pointed out) be an ideal foe. Played right, Rico could be as well.

I'm also in total agreement about setting up a feud with Booker T later in the year. However this should happen IMO after he loses the US title. After a good run with the title, he should hand it off to an up and comer (Haas would work very well in this role) in an intense match, then proceed to feud with Booker T.

[KaliKot]

Turning him face and toning him down made him stale

...and he DOES do a dropkick

[Kane Knight]

The problem is, the WWE's using their usual approach to pushing him. Shove him down our throats. Like they really need to do it.

Same approach with Cena. I have every confidence that this guy could find his way and really become huge, and that shoving him down our throats instead of letting him develop naturally kinda hamstrings his potential.

Dude, these guys are awesome. Take a less bull-headed approach, and let it happen.

[Ferocious]

I can still see the Long John Cena gimmick coming into play within 18 months :rofl:

[big_bluto]

I think it's important not to forget that Cena has only ever been on Smackdown, he's still cutting his teeth there, and he's only made it up to the US Title.
I'm pretty positive that they'll keep him on the show until he's a regular main event draw, and holder of the title, at least once.

The similarities between Cena and Orton, and the way they're being developed will eventually give them 2 HUGE stars on each show, and if people are desperate to see them compete in a match now, what will that desire be like in a year, or two? Or even three?

Long term, they've got 2 great talent's that they are bringing on in a steady, sensible fashion. 1 year ago, I bet there were very few fans on the net even talking about Cena (or Orton for that matter) and look at the case now.

I say (believe it or not) well done WWe. Keep up the good work, and I'll look forward to Cena v Orton at WM23 Main Event.

Hopefully, Cena will have binned the rapping by then!

[thuganomicalcrippler]

What worries me about Cena is how they're going to push him as someone who really wants the WWE Title. They'll ahev to drop this gimmick, because I just can't envision him coming out with the belt strapped on his shoulder, and then RAPPING. I mean, would he be able to deliver serious, emotional promos? We'll just have to wait and see.

[Marc the Smark]

What worries me about Cena is how they're going to push him as someone who really wants the WWE Title. They'll ahev to drop this gimmick, because I just can't envision him coming out with the belt strapped on his shoulder, and then RAPPING. I mean, would he be able to deliver serious, emotional promos? We'll just have to wait and see.

Excellent point. Suppose he's in a program with the WWE Champion (whoever it will be at the time). To help build it up, Cena's attacked and seriously hurt. He'll need to respond, in my opinion, with a serious promo. Will he be able to do it? Actually, I'm sure he could, and it could be done very well. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy Cena's current work, but I just don't think it will get him to the Championship (though I've been wrong many times).

[blake639raw]

The Rock never delivered "serious" promos, but he became a great champion, an icon, and one of the biggest draws in wrestling history.

[Mic Blaze]

Lash showed up in TNA a few weeks ago, and he's a bit larger now.

http://www.nwatna.com/multimedia/backstage/2004/3/31/large/7.jpg
http://www.nwatna.com/multimedia/backstage/2004/4/15/large/7.jpg

I've always been a huge Lash mark. He's not really from Louisiana, but his father was born in my - and his kayfabe - hometown, Lafayette, Louisiana. "Ragin' Cajun" is actually the local school nickname: University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns.

He also draws cartoons (http://www.lashleroux.com/toons.asp) in his spare time.

Oh shit I have that camo shirt

[Lamuella]

thing is, cena CAN do a good emotional promo. The promo he cut in Boston about going to games and stuff as a kid was suitable to his character without being a dumb rap.

[Rock Bottom]

The Rock never delivered "serious" promos, but he became a great champion, an icon, and one of the biggest draws in wrestling history.

lol shut up, "Rock never cut a serious promo"

[Lamuella]

The Rock cut some fantastic serious promos. The reason why The Rock's character worked was that he could mix the comedy with an astonishing intensity.

[Marc the Smark]

Is Cena better than Orton?

[Kane Knight]

In a word, "you said it."

[The CyNick]

Someone needs to watch the build for Austin-Rock in the Astrodome. There was nothing funny with that build, it was all very serious, and as I recall the show did pretty well.

You cant really argue with what Cena is doing, he is arguably the most over guy in the company (RAW or SD).

I think when the time comes they will get him to cut more serious promos, but again he shouldn't totally give up the rapping, I mean the kids seem to love it.

[Marc the Smark]

I think when the time comes they will get him to cut more serious promos, but again he shouldn't totally give up the rapping, I mean the kids seem to love it.

I agree, he should eventually do more serious promos, but shouldn't completely stop the rapping. However, I don't agree with your reasoning. He should do it because the kids like it??? Are they trying to cater to 10 year olds, and if so, why???

[Marc the Smark]

Well, this thread was dead, but I just found out some news about John Cena and thought I'd pass it along (for those who haven't heard yet).

According to a report from Priority Records, WWE has apparently contacted some professional rappers to perform with John Cena at this month’s Judgment Day pay per view in Los Angeles on May 16th.

One source is saying that the rappers would be used in the same fashion that Ice-T was used during the WrestleMania show in Anaheim, CA a few years ago. Although this has not been confirmed it is definitely being taken into consideration.

Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Warren G., Ice Cube, Mack 10, and WC are all rappers that are being kicked around to be used at this month’s SmackDown PPV. Take this for what it is at this time, as this is just a rumor and is still awaiting official confirmation.

(wrestlingdotcom)

[Marc the Smark]

He was just on Smackdown, and had a good match with one of the Bashams. I take back anything bad I said about John Cena. I don't think he should change his gimmick. I think his gimmick is great, and gets a huge pop. I think Cena's ready to be the WWE Champion.