Who is this generations Rock?

[dhellova guy]

Looking at the WWE's stock situation got me thinking about this. During the "attitude era", WWF had two major stars in Steve Austin and The Rock. When they saw how Austin was taking off, WWF put everything behind the man (giving him the belt, most of the air time, etc.). Rock was created, I my opinion, as other opponent for Austin, and then Rocks popularity skyrocketed, and WWF never looked back.

If we are to assume that John Cena is this generations Steve Austin (in that WWE is putting everything behind him), then who is the Rock? Who has WWE tried to build into that 2nd superstar that, if something happened to Cena, could pick up the ball and run with it? Is it Randy Orton? And if it is, would the current WWE audience continue watching Raw if Cena went down and Orton was officially the man?

[Xero]

It's Orton. Orton and Cena are the top two faces of this generation, hands down.

I do think Orton could step up, especially now. He is over as hell. His pops are enormous. Bigger than Cena's, easily. Orton is someone who appeals to both the Cena fans and the Cena haters. If they booked him right (and that's what it ALWAYS comes down to) he could easily continue building what he has right now into something even bigger.

[The Naitch]

what Xero said, although this just started recently

[Anybody Thrilla]

Before I even opened the thread, I was thinking Randy Orton.

[Rollermacka]

Mark Henry :shifty:

[Juan]

No one.

[Testicle]

There is no Rock. Cena is the biggest draw by far and no one else comes close.

[Testicle]

Dammit Juan.

[Xero]

In a way, Orton isn't this generation's Rock. He is in terms of WWE having two hot top stars at the same time, but a much better comparison is Hogan/Austin in the same era. Cena is booked in a very Hogan-like manner. The do-gooder that everyone loves and is always coming out on top to appease his fans. While Orton is booked in the Austin manner where he's just kicking ass every which way and has a more adult-oriented edge to him.

[The Naitch]

Punk is this generations' Triple H (especially since he has Bats 2.0 in his stable)

[Lock Jaw]

Mark Henry :shifty:

Mark Henry is this generation's Mark Henry

[Xero]

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[dhellova guy]

I guess it does come down to booking, I just wonder if the Cena fans would still tune in like they do to watch Orton. Orton does definatly get the bigger pops right now though.

[Xero]

You know, thinking about it, I don't know if Orton is a draw. He's over as hell, as I said, but maybe he wouldn't be able to carry it. Cena has something Orton doesn't have. An intangible.

Could Orton be Sting? Main eventer and over, but not a major draw?

People would buy tickets JUST to see Cena. I don't think they'd do that for Orton.

[Rammsteinmad]

I don't think anyone buys tickets JUST to see Cena. They buy them because they're fans of the WWE.

[SOCCER LEGS]

nobody, hence why business is such shit right now.

[Kane Knight]

I don't think anyone buys tickets JUST to see Cena. They buy them because they're fans of the WWE.

And they just happen to buy Cena's merch in droves.

[Xero]

I don't think anyone buys tickets JUST to see Cena. They buy them because they're fans of the WWE.

Actually, people were asking for and WWE was offering refunds at house shows when Cena was injured.

[Nicky Fives]

Edge

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

There is never a new "wrestler A" there is always the the first "Wrestler B." Then you want to find the next wrestler B, but there is only the first Wrestler C. Then you love C a lot and want a new wrestler C, but you get the new wrestler D.

It's like the USS Enterprise. Stop living in the past like in Star Wars and head to the Final Frontier.

[teamXtremist]

MIZ IS PROBABLY THE CLOSEST ON THE MIKe but as far as the total package no one is close right now

[Rammsteinmad]

Actually, people were asking for and WWE was offering refunds at house shows when Cena was injured.

Fuck you I'm still right. :rant:

[Xero]

There is never a new "wrestler A" there is always the the first "Wrestler B." Then you want to find the next wrestler B, but there is only the first Wrestler C. Then you love C a lot and want a new wrestler C, but you get the new wrestler D.

It's like the USS Enterprise. Stop living in the past like in Star Wars and head to the Final Frontier.

Yeah, people need to stop this hope for the next XYZ. There can and will be similarities, and WWE will, inevitably, try to recreate the past, but in the long run, you have to look forwards, not backwards. Sideways, not diagonal. And we should always be spinning, spinning SPINNING!

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I don't think anyone buys tickets JUST to see Cena. They buy them because they're fans of the WWE.

AMEN! I've been saying this for so long I felt like I was the only person who understands this. Thank you Rammesteinmad I take back your neg rep about Benoit and will rep this when I am able to rep again.

Pro Wrestling fans have transformed from "Player Fans" to "Sports/Team Fans." In the era of territories the companies were less important and it was the big Star who came in from another place that gave sales a boost. Handsome Harley Race would bump up sales anywhere he went no matter what company was booking it.

Now the company itself is the brand. WrestleMania sells itself after the hard work of the wrestlers and Vince McMahon to make it a household name. The WWE will remain no matter who is in it. I will watch WrestleMania even if John Cena, Edge, Randy Orton, The Miz and whoever else won't be able to make it. WWE and WrestleMania sells itself.

Fans understand this better then pro wrestlers do. Kevin Nash keeps going off on how certain wrestlers are a draw, and how some wrestlers aren't. When he was in the main event of the WWE and WCW all he drew was flies.

[Rammsteinmad]

Yeah, no doubt if WWE advertise John Cena at an event and he isn't there they'll always be some someone that complains about it, but I don't think these people originally booked their tickets JUST to see John Cena.

They'd have to be WWE fans to be a John Cena fan, and I don't see some ten year old telling his parents he doesn't want to go a show because Cena won't be there.

[MIZantine Empire]

i was thinkin about this the other day..how it seems like there are certain guys they are trying to have mimmick the recent past..like i thought they were trying to bill del rio as the rock, swagger as kurt angle, and i lost my train of thought! lol but im sure u guys know a couple that look like they are modeled after recent big guys. if you put miz's mic skills, how orton is insanely over with the crowd, with zigglers ring skills, and del rios charisma, you would easily have the next "rock"

[jskinnyg]

Before I even opened the thread, I was thinking Randy Orton.

Yup... :yes::yes:

[CSL]

Yeah, no doubt if WWE advertise John Cena at an event and he isn't there they'll always be some someone that complains about it, but I don't think these people originally booked their tickets JUST to see John Cena.

They'd have to be WWE fans to be a John Cena fan, and I don't see some ten year old telling his parents he doesn't want to go a show because Cena won't be there.

In that case I'm not sure you have a decent 'grasp' of wrestling fans. Plenty of kids go strictly to see Cena.

[Rammsteinmad]

So what you're saying is: The Rock has mic skills... The Miz has mic skills... OMG they're modelling the Miz after the Rock!!! :eek:

But seriously, the comparison is there between Angle and Swagger, but I don't see them as building Swagger up as another Angle, this is just Swagger being Swagger.

[Rammsteinmad]

In that case I'm not sure you have a decent 'grasp' of wrestling fans. Plenty of kids go strictly to see Cena.

How should I know? It's not like a talk to ten year olds on a regular basis.

[Ultra Mantis]

http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage/wrestlezone.com/upl_images/abe.jpg

[Dark-Slicer Diago]

So what you're saying is: The Rock has mic skills... The Miz has mic skills... OMG they're modelling the Miz after the Rock!!! :eek:

But seriously, the comparison is there between Angle and Swagger, but I don't see them as building Swagger up as another Angle, this is just Swagger being Swagger.


Oddly enough, my WWE Universe in SvR made Angle and Swagger instant enemies.

[XCaliber]

There isn't one it's a split between Orton's ring presence and The Miz's skills on the mic which is probably why I happen to be a fan of both of them.

[Emperor Smeat]

Orton is the closest but not in terms of mic and promo skills since the Rock could make any segment or feud amazing just on promos alone. Closet to him was Jericho but he wrestled the same time as the Rock while CM Punk appears to be closer to Jericho than The Rock for best current promos.

Only major difference between Orton-Cena and Rock-Stone Cold is WWE "forced" the crowd to accept Orton-Cena as the mega feud. Rock vs Stone Cold felt more natural and better built up since it started with a lower title and developed to the main title.

[dronepool]

I'd love to see The Rock vs CM Punk

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[TheAdamEvansFan]

This generations Rock is Cena... I'm just waiting for Cena to join nexus to mimick the Rock in the Corporation.

Rock was the peoples champ, Cena is the peoples champ.

Orton is AUSTIN... hands down.. I don't even know why people get Rock confused with Orton....

Rock was the company man, Austin was the rebel.

[FourFifty]

No one is anyone else. There was only one Rock, and we should be thankful for the time we had with him. Same goes for everyone else. We only had one Steve Austin, one Hulk Hogan, one Buddy Rogers, one Andre The Giant, one Miz, one Vince McMahon, one Billy Gunn, etc etc etc.

[El Fangel]

I agree with Naitch above and Xero.

[Damian Rey]

Orton is the closest but not in terms of mic and promo skills since the Rock could make any segment or feud amazing just on promos alone. Closet to him was Jericho but he wrestled the same time as the Rock while CM Punk appears to be closer to Jericho than The Rock for best current promos.

Only major difference between Orton-Cena and Rock-Stone Cold is WWE "forced" the crowd to accept Orton-Cena as the mega feud. Rock vs Stone Cold felt more natural and better built up since it started with a lower title and developed to the main title.

The reason Austin/Rock felt so natural is becuase it progressed as both men's careers progressed. They had a fued in the mid card over the IC title already in the rear veiw mirror when their main event fued started going.

Cena and Orton, on the other hand, were just kind of thrown together becuase they represented the top guys as heels and faces.

Back to the topic...I don't think anyone is this generation's Rock. I don't think Randy Orton is even close. Two completely different typed of characters and styles. Orton's mic skills are solid, but it's his demeanor and presence that are his strong points. He cannot hold a crowd in his hands like the Rock did.

The closest person mic wise is probably either CM Punk or the Miz. They both seem to understand how to take control of a crowd and make them care about what they're saying and get them invloved in such.

[JimmyMess]

Yeah The Rock is a super unique dude. His mic skills are unbelievable, and he could put on a great show in the ring.

I don't think we'll see another Rock because we've seem to put The Rock & Austin on such a high pedestal that anyone who we compare them to isn't quite good enough. Not that we shouldn't have though... they definitely are deserving of all the credit they get...

so who is this generation's Rocky? I don't think we have one....

[thedamndest]

Me.

[TheAdamEvansFan]

I actually see a clear comparison of Austin n Orton...

Cenas character has to go through the heel stage before he can even be compared to as any other former wrestling legend.

He's only been a main event superstar as a face.

I also want to clarify someones previous statement.

They compared Cena to Hogan as a babyface etc..

You should have said Hulk Hogan, as Hollywood Hogan is his heel/ badass persona.

[Damian Rey]

I actually see a clear comparison of Austin n Orton...

Cenas character has to go through the heel stage before he can even be compared to as any other former wrestling legend.

He's only been a main event superstar as a face.

I also want to clarify someones previous statement.

They compared Cena to Hogan as a babyface etc..

You should have said Hulk Hogan, as Hollywood Hogan is his heel/ badass persona.

How is there a clear comparison between Orton and Austin? Austin had a catch phrase, Orton doesn't. Austin was immense on the microphone. Orton is not. Austin, prior to his neck injury, and other times post injury, was one of the best workers on the roster. Orton is not.

Cena's character is directly relateable to Hogan in the 80s. Top face of the company, never loses cleanly, is ALWAYS in the main event/main feud even if the title is not involved.

[The Naitch]

I am the biggest Rock mark, but his SD X promo was lacking and dated. It wasn't the usual edge of your seat Rock promo that I was used to marking out for.

It would've been better if he showed up to the ring on RAW (or SD!)

[The Naitch]

btw, remember when Orton used to look like this?

http://cdn.springboard.gorillanation.com/storage//upl_images/randyOrton.jpg

NO HOMO

[TheAdamEvansFan]

How is there a clear comparison between Orton and Austin? Austin had a catch phrase, Orton doesn't. Austin was immense on the microphone. Orton is not. Austin, prior to his neck injury, and other times post injury, was one of the best workers on the roster. Orton is not.

Cena's character is directly relateable to Hogan in the 80s. Top face of the company, never loses cleanly, is ALWAYS in the main event/main feud even if the title is not involved.


He is the Viper... He isn't suppose to discuss his feelings on the mic..

He is suppose to be secretive, ready to strike at any moment.

Austin wasn't GREAT on the mic either... He just liked to swear and tell people off... Orton does that wish his facial impressions and stare downs.

Both have similiar qualities and it's definetly hampered Orton as the Viper in a PG ERA.

[Damian Rey]

He is the Viper... He isn't suppose to discuss his feelings on the mic..

He is suppose to be secretive, ready to strike at any moment.

Austin wasn't GREAT on the mic either... He just liked to swear and tell people off... Orton does that wish his facial impressions and stare downs.

Both have similiar qualities and it's definetly hampered Orton as the Viper in a PG ERA.

Austin wasn't great? GTFO. You have no clue what you're talking about. Austin was consisently solid on the mic, and his entire career was built off of and carried through what he said.

Yes, Orton is silent but deadly. Austin WAS NOT. So, where's the connection here? You have two completely different characters who have completely different motives.

The only similar quality is that they're not your prototypical, fan-pandering face. Other than that, from in ring style to mic work, there are limited similarities.

[Tom Guycott]

I think some of you lost sight of the question. It wasn't so much that "X" is the new "Y" in terms of mimickry, or how unique The Rock was, etc., but more of a comparative roster spot situation. In terms of the question, Cena is now what Hogan once was, what Bret once was, what Austin once was: the be all end all face of the company. If Austin disappeared from the face of the earth during his heyday, The Rock could have filled that void in the roster and essentially become THE man.

If Cena's heart exploded tomorrow, or he was stabbed to death with a spork by the "We Hate Cena" guy he hugged on RAW, or whatever, Orton is in the best "Rock" position to Cena's "Austin" to be able to be the company's banner-carrier as things stand presently. Miz would be a decent choice for a close second as things are right now, but he's just being established as a 100% credible main event heel. To make him a babyface in this situation without enough... history behind him would actually hurt him in the long run. No one would buy it until he's had more spotlight time and a couple of face/heel turns.

Unless we get a 3rd coming of Jericho. He trumps all other choices. And I mean that in the least markish way possible.

[Kane Knight]

There is never a new "wrestler A" there is always the the first "Wrestler B." Then you want to find the next wrestler B, but there is only the first Wrestler C. Then you love C a lot and want a new wrestler C, but you get the new wrestler D.

It's like the USS Enterprise. Stop living in the past like in Star Wars and head to the Final Frontier.

Could you de-nerd that one a little?

[TheAdamEvansFan]

Austin wasn't great? GTFO. You have no clue what you're talking about. Austin was consisently solid on the mic, and his entire career was built off of and carried through what he said.

Yes, Orton is silent but deadly. Austin WAS NOT. So, where's the connection here? You have two completely different characters who have completely different motives.

The only similar quality is that they're not your prototypical, fan-pandering face. Other than that, from in ring style to mic work, there are limited similarities.

Austin was good on the MIC? Please... I'd rather have listened to George Bush speak..

Just another redneck.

He got fame for rebelling against McMahon/faces/heels and being edgy.

Ortons done the same. Can't trust either of them.

Both are assholes in real life which helped their on air character TREMENDOUSLY.

I think my generation remembers Austin for the beer truck, the monster truck, or the countless acts of vandalism in the back. Not some great promo like The Rock or Cena/Miz is use to doing.

There is one clear difference between Orton & Austin. Orton can actually wrestle.

[The Naitch]

Both have similiar qualities and it's definetly hampered Orton as the Viper in a PG ERA.

I could just imagine how awesome Viper Orton would be if this was the Attitude Era

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Could you de-nerd that one a little?

Nah it's relevant plus talking about wrestling on the internet makes everybody here a nerd to begin with.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I could just imagine how awesome Viper Orton would be if this was the Attitude Era

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[Kane Knight]

Nah it's relevant plus talking about wrestling on the internet makes everybody here a nerd to begin with.
Which is why I only asked you to de-nerd it a little.

[The Naitch]

yo STD, who is that non-Orton guy?

[Haze]

And we should always be spinning, spinning SPINNING!

http://images03.olx.com/ui/1/26/18/771818_1.gif

Someone in the E' took that a bit literally.

[thejamminone]

Alberto Del Rio? as someone said in this forum or somewhere eles.

[Nightwing]

Santino is this generations Rock. A very jobberific, low/midcard Rock.

[KaosDarksol]

David Otunga is this generations rock and Skip Sheffield is Stone Cold. Trust me by wrestlemania 29 this will be our main event.

[JimmyMess]

Austin was good on the MIC? Please...



This is the second time I've said this today...

Lol.

You are wrong

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

yo STD, who is that non-Orton guy?

Lord Voldermort.

[JimmyMess]

Lord Voldermort.

"He was nothing more than a MURDERER"

[XCaliber]

Lord Voldermort.

You're not supposed to say his name damn you.

[Kane Knight]

Ken Anderson. Duh.

Or the Miz.

[whiteyford]

Austin was good on the MIC? Please... I'd rather have listened to George Bush speak..

There is one clear difference between Orton & Austin. Orton can actually wrestle.

:rofl:

[Mr. Nerfect]

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Come on, there is no comparison there. One has a nose and the other doesn't -- you're clearly comparing apples to oranges. :roll:

Randy Orton is the #2 guy without question. The pops he has been getting lately are pretty damn good. Do I think he could carry the company? Not in the way Cena is, but in the way that Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart were the sort of defacto guys when Hulk Hogan left.

But I think given time, The Miz could be up there. His story is very similar to The Rock's. He shows up, people give him shit and don't think he can do it, he works hard, finds his niche as an ultra-heel. It's only a matter of time before The Miz's personality and work ethic turn him babyface. Then it might be a different story. It's just timing with him at the moment.

Alberto Del Rio was another interesting one mentioned. Del Rio's actually being given this credible heel shtick. He makes top faces tap-out like bitches cleanly, and he has no fear. He gets in the face of any top guy and is all like "I can beat you...but you already know that." Down the line, if he turns face, again with the right timing and booking -- I could see him being a slightly big deal.

But if Cena left the company tomorrow, I think the way it would go is that Randy Orton is the big star on RAW they already have, they move Rey Mysterio over for the kiddies and the merchandise sales, The Miz continues to be kept "in the oven," and they move John Morrison into gear.