QUESTION - If John Cena was in the WWE during the "ATTITUDE ERA" (1997-2001)

**Heyman** · 05-26-2008, 08:56 PM

QUESTION - If John Cena was in the WWE during the "ATTITUDE ERA" (1997-2001)

Preface: Please do not respond to this thread if the main purpose of your post is to disagree with the "Attitude Era" timeline that I gave.

Here is my question:

If John Cena (with his current gimmick) was in the WWE during the Attitude Era, how much success do you think he would have enjoyed?

In other words - do you think John Cena would've been a main-eventer? In light of guys like Austin, The Rock, Triple H, and Undertaker, would John Cena have had any world title reigns? If so, would they have been LENGTHY world title reigns?

If John Cena was around during the Attitude Era, would a guy like Chris Jericho ever be world champ? (how much room can there be at the top?). Would The Rock and Austin still have been as popular? Would they have been the focal point?

During the Attitude Era, a solid argument can be made that the WWE creative team were MUCH smarter. During the Attitude Era, there also wasn't as much CENSORSHIP. Given these facts - perhaps John Cena would've been encouraged to "rap" more....and say edgier things on a more consistent basis.

Taking ALL of this into account, what, in your opinion, would have been John Cena's "place" during the Attitude Era? How would this have affected others?

Personally - I think Cena would've been in a similar spot to what Kurt Angle was in.

Although I think Cena would have been more popular during the Attitude Era (as opposed to now), I still think Austin and The Rock would be the top two guys....with Triple H and Vince McMahon being the #1 heels.

I think Cena would have been a "transitional" world champ (similar to what Angle was in late 2000.....and 2001 for that matter). I also think Cena would have gone down as the greatest Intercontinental champion in the history of the company.

The person MOST affected by John Cena's presence, probably would have been Chris Benoit IMO. Benoit, Jericho, and Angle were probably the top 3 guys after "the big 4" (Taker, HHH, Austin, Rock). With Cena there however, I think Benoit would've been the one to take the fall (I don't say Jericho, because Jericho's charisma would have kept him "in the hunt" IMO).

Basically - Cena would've been what Angle was (in terms or reigns, prestige, etc.) in my opinion (although perhaps Angle still would have had the one title run in the Summer of 01' due to 9/11).

Due to Cena's presence, I don't think Jericho would have won his 1st title until the brand split (circa 2002/2003). I also think the WWE would've paired up Jericho and Benoit at a much earlier time (and therefore, the rivalry of E&C, the Hardy's, and Dudleys, would also have included Jericho & Benoit).

Anyway - what do you think?

05-26-2008, 08:56 PM	#1
Heyman Father of Hinduship Posts: 21,083	QUESTION - If John Cena was in the WWE during the "ATTITUDE ERA" (1997-2001) QUESTION - If John Cena was in the WWE during the "ATTITUDE ERA" (1997-2001) Preface: Please do not respond to this thread if the main purpose of your post is to disagree with the "Attitude Era" timeline that I gave. Here is my question: If John Cena (with his current gimmick) was in the WWE during the Attitude Era, how much success do you think he would have enjoyed? In other words - do you think John Cena would've been a main-eventer? In light of guys like Austin, The Rock, Triple H, and Undertaker, would John Cena have had any world title reigns? If so, would they have been LENGTHY world title reigns? If John Cena was around during the Attitude Era, would a guy like Chris Jericho ever be world champ? (how much room can there be at the top?). Would The Rock and Austin still have been as popular? Would they have been the focal point? During the Attitude Era, a solid argument can be made that the WWE creative team were MUCH smarter. During the Attitude Era, there also wasn't as much CENSORSHIP. Given these facts - perhaps John Cena would've been encouraged to "rap" more....and say edgier things on a more consistent basis. Taking ALL of this into account, what, in your opinion, would have been John Cena's "place" during the Attitude Era? How would this have affected others? Personally - I think Cena would've been in a similar spot to what Kurt Angle was in. Although I think Cena would have been more popular during the Attitude Era (as opposed to now), I still think Austin and The Rock would be the top two guys....with Triple H and Vince McMahon being the #1 heels. I think Cena would have been a "transitional" world champ (similar to what Angle was in late 2000.....and 2001 for that matter). I also think Cena would have gone down as the greatest Intercontinental champion in the history of the company. The person MOST affected by John Cena's presence, probably would have been Chris Benoit IMO. Benoit, Jericho, and Angle were probably the top 3 guys after "the big 4" (Taker, HHH, Austin, Rock). With Cena there however, I think Benoit would've been the one to take the fall (I don't say Jericho, because Jericho's charisma would have kept him "in the hunt" IMO). Basically - Cena would've been what Angle was (in terms or reigns, prestige, etc.) in my opinion (although perhaps Angle still would have had the one title run in the Summer of 01' due to 9/11). Due to Cena's presence, I don't think Jericho would have won his 1st title until the brand split (circa 2002/2003). I also think the WWE would've paired up Jericho and Benoit at a much earlier time (and therefore, the rivalry of E&C, the Hardy's, and Dudleys, would also have included Jericho & Benoit). Anyway - what do you think?