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Excellent post...and I agree with all/most of it.
I also agree that Austin 3:16 pretty much changed the way the fans perceived faces.
Before 1997, it was all about being "the good guy". Saying your prayers, eating your vitamins, drinking your milk, being honorable, etc., etc. Guys like Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart fit those definitions to a tee.
Once Austin came along however, it became all about PERSONALITY and the CHARACTER.
In other words - fans weren't cheering faces nearly as much as they were cheering awesome characters. More times than not however, heels had an easier time being an awesome character because it allowed them to showcase their personality more.
I am sure that the WWE are aware of this trend (how could they not?!??!!), but they simply choose not to change their ways....and as result, have had many wildly successful heels fall flat as faces since 2001.
The truly amazing thing, is that I truly believe that John Cena will start to get massive face pops again once he turns heel....which allow him to be more creative in what he says....which in effect, will make him an awesome character. Sadly enough, I also think the Santino Marella's day's as an awesome character might be coming to an end.....as the WWE might try and convert him into a face due to his positive crowd reactions.
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