Guest Banky Report post Posted March 20, 2003 John Cena is currently being positioned as the main opponent for Brock Lesnar in the post-Wrestlemania house show circuit. Even though he is not ready for a main event slot in terms of his in ring work, it’s thought that his character and charisma are high enough to boost his character into the upper echelon. With the main event ranks severely thinned with injuries to Edge and Kurt Angle, WWE also doesn’t have many options, so decided to push Cena. pwtorch newsletter ---------------------------------------------------- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest bps "The Truth" 21 Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I'm all for him getting his shot...but how WWE is it to have a guy in line for a MAJOR push...and not even give him a match at the biggest show of the year! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Banky Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I'm all for him getting his shot...but how WWE is it to have a guy in line for a MAJOR push...and not even give him a match at the biggest show of the year! The catchphrase for this folder should be WWE: Leave your brain at the door. bps, leave your brain at the door. That statements makes TOO much sense in WWE world. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cawthon777 0 Report post Posted March 20, 2003 He doesn't have to wrestle. All he has to do is appear, do a little rap, maybe a run-in, etc. Cena has what it takes to get to the next level. He's on the verge of becoming what the Rock was in 97-98. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RavishingRickRudo Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Mike Sanders, a superstar in the making By JOHN POWELL -- SLAM! Wrestling Look up and down the card for this Sunday's WCW SuperBrawl pay-per-view and one familiar face is curiously missing from the line-up. Former WCW Commissioner and Ric Flair's current "pet project" - Mike Sanders - is nowhere to be found. Maybe it's because he isn't involved in a hot feud at present. Maybe it's because he'll be appearing in a last minute "bonus match" WCW is famous for or it could be that Sanders is working the show in another capacity besides grappling in the ring. Whatever the case may be, Sanders is primed and ready to contribute what he can to the show. "I am always disappointed when I don't wrestle," Sanders told SLAM! Wrestling. "I like to be out there in the ring so whatever they (the bookers) need me to do, I will do." Since he debuted in WCW insiders have pegged Sanders as one of the very few superstars who possesses a "natural ability" when it comes to professional wrestling. His in-ring technical skills are strong and smooth. As a definite plus, he looks very comfortable and relaxed cutting a promo or interview. Displaying poise well beyond his years in the business Sanders has been compared by some to a young Ric Flair or Arn Anderson. Sanders is careful not to let the praise go to his head this early in his career. "Being compared to those guys, yeah, it means a lot because they are legends in this business. It's a compliment and it drives me to do better," he said modestly. A former communications officer and self-professed "computer geek" with the United States Army, Sanders got his start through the connections he made at the Main Event Fitness Gym owned and operated by WCW superstar, Lex Luger. He was encouraged to give wrestling a shot by people like Diamond Dallas Page and Robbie Rage who convinced him to train at WCW's Power Plant facility. A fan of Georgia Championship Wrestling, Sanders always thought he had a "knack" for entertaining people and enrolled with the Power Plant to put himself to the test. In February of 1998, Paul Orndorff took over managing the Power Plant. According to Sanders, Orndorff didn't think he had what it took to make it in the business and fired him in May of 2000. It was then that WCW bookers Terry Taylor and Vince Russo salvaged his career. "Terry Taylor told me he didn't want to lose me so he asked if I would do the Russo And Bischoff (R and B) Security deal which was going on at the time and some different things," Sanders recalled. "Through that I started working some WCW World-Wide matches and stuff like that. Terry Taylor and Vince Russo gave me my job back. Vince Russo was the one who said 'Give the kid the mike and see if he can talk'. From there, I've went onward and upwards." Appreciative of his second chance Sanders has taken great pains to learn all he can from wrestling legends like Ric Flair and Arn Anderson behind the scenes so he can continue to improve his abilities. He acknowledges Flair, Anderson and Ernest Miller with helping him critique his promos. To him, their advice has been invaluable in bettering his appearances in front of the camera and behind the mike. Sanders is also grateful for the support he's been given from the man who is scheduled to face WCW World Heavyweight Champion Scott Steiner at the SuperBrawl pay-per-view. "The most influential person in my life as far as helping me out is probably Kevin Nash. He is just unbelievable," praised Sanders. "He gave me a new understanding of the business because you sometimes when you get a push, you get caught up in thinking you know what's right and what's wrong and he really enlightened me because he is not afraid to tell you what he thinks. He's really helped me out a lot as far as what works and what doesn't. Taking a situation that may not make sense and making it make sense. He's been tremendous." Working with Nash as part of the "coach angle" with The Natural Born Thrillers was one of Sanders' favourite moments to date. Not only was it enjoyable tagging-up with Nash but he had a lot of fun participating in the storyline as everyone involved was playing it for broke. Another of Sanders' proud accomplishments is his brief run as the fictitious WCW Commissioner. The role shone the spotlight on him like never before and Sanders found it surprisingly easy just being himself. If nothing else, it gained Sanders some important notoriety that a wrestler needs to lobby for a bigger and better push. As WCW fans have seen though, The Natural Born Thrillers are slowly but surely being splintered apart as are many of WCW's stables as the company shifts its focus. Sanders remains convinced that the changes are for the best. His positive attitude stems from the fact that WCW future looks brighter now that Fusient Media is putting the finishing touches on its offer to buy the wrestling promotion. Sanders says the mood is upbeat. Most think that the much-needed shift in management will return WCW to its former glory days. "In my opinion much of the energy in the locker room is positive," stated Sanders. "I think Eric Bischoff brings something to the table that people want. And when you got something that people want, all the guys are excited and the motivational factor is up. Spirits are up. The morale is up. People tend to want to go out there and give it a hundred and ten per cent." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest AndrewTS Report post Posted March 20, 2003 RRR: Ah, yes. I'm still a Sanders mark since he was one of the few highlights of WCW before it croaked. So...just how is WWE not WCW again? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crux Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Ugh, I guess Im one of the few who sees Cena as being nothing but a waste of time. Oh well... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I don't think he should be made a permanent main eventer or anything like that this soon into his career, but with the injuries and still having 2 duel brand PPVs after Wrestlemania, I don't see why they can't have a short Brock/Cena feud to start Brock's title reign. Eventually they should be building towards Brock/Benoit for Summerslam. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Banky Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Cena doesn't equal Mike Sanders. Cena is much much much more attractive than him...and he can sure fill out a pair of tights. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nugget Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I'm all for him getting his shot...but how WWE is it to have a guy in line for a MAJOR push...and not even give him a match at the biggest show of the year! well, brock was in line for a big push this time last year, and it started after Wrestlemania Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest creativename Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I'm all for him getting his shot...but how WWE is it to have a guy in line for a MAJOR push...and not even give him a match at the biggest show of the year! well, brock was in line for a big push this time last year, and it started after Wrestlemania Yeah...when he came in all double powerbombing Spike Dudley, I don't think very many people thought that they'd do this with him...and even less thought that they might actually have a chance to succeed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BionicRedneck Report post Posted March 20, 2003 There is no elevation in the WWE. Poor Mr. Cena is going nowhere. He will get his push, get jobbed out, and end up with his roid buddy Test in the mid-card. Hell, people have been saying for 4 years that Edge was getting THE big push to main event status, and he still hadn't really got there. If Jericho didnt make it in the main events, how the fuck is John Cena going to? Plus, he sucks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest oldschoolwrestling Report post Posted March 20, 2003 He'll do a couple jobs to Brock to kill a few months until they start working towards Brock/Benoit at Summerslam. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Plushy Al Logan Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Ugh, I guess Im one of the few who sees Cena as being nothing but a waste of time. Oh well... ::Stands with Crux:: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Youth N Asia Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I like Cena and all...but who's Brock's first feud that's actually going to get the belt off him? I'm tired of the Brock vs Heyman angle. And OSW, who's the girl in the sig? Looks familar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest oldschoolwrestling Report post Posted March 20, 2003 And OSW, who's the girl in the sig? Looks familar. Paige Davis from "Trading Spaces". She's developing a cult following. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest humongous2002 Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Why isn't RVD getting the main event spot instead of Cena, and if Cena is getting this push (which he didn't earn just like Brock) why isn't he featured @ Mania???Vince talks about how wcw is dead, but i still think that company is very much alive and it's called WWE. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Banky Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Why isn't RVD getting the main event spot instead of Cena, and if Cena is getting this push (which he didn't earn just like Brock) why isn't he featured @ Mania???Vince talks about how wcw is dead, but i still think that company is very much alive and it's called WWE. Hmmmm, because RVD sucks and has the charisma of a card board box. He totally screams c-list acting. Terrible...even worse than regular WWF standards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest oldschoolwrestling Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Why isn't RVD getting the main event spot instead of Cena, and if Cena is getting this push (which he didn't earn just like Brock) why isn't he featured @ Mania???Vince talks about how wcw is dead, but i still think that company is very much alive and it's called WWE. Hmmmm, because RVD sucks and has the charisma of a card board box. He totally screams c-list acting. Terrible...even worse than regular WWF standards. They should have had him on the GGW PPV, he would have fit in perfectly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest humongous2002 Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Well i guess the only reason they need Cena in the main event picture is just to do the job for Brock,b/c Cena is such a great actor while he is getting pinned in the middle of the ring.(And since when Pro wrestling is masterpiece theater that you need acting so bad?) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Polish_Rifle Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I know Vince is grooming Brock as this monster face, but at this point of his career, would it hurt to have him lose to Cena once while he beats him the other 800 times? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Quik Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Why isn't RVD getting the main event spot instead of Cena, and if Cena is getting this push (which he didn't earn just like Brock) why isn't he featured @ Mania???Vince talks about how wcw is dead, but i still think that company is very much alive and it's called WWE. Hmmmm, because RVD sucks and has the charisma of a card board box. He totally screams c-list acting. Terrible...even worse than regular WWF standards. Agreed. Once you get used to the flippy-flop offense, which includes the same fuckng back-of-neck bump each match, you don't mark for RVD as much as you used to. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted March 20, 2003 I like Cena and all...but who's Brock's first feud that's actually going to get the belt off him? I'm tired of the Brock vs Heyman angle. And OSW, who's the girl in the sig? Looks familar. Benoit should be the one to beat Brock, but not for awhile. They need longer reigns. Who wants to see Brock win at Mania and then lose the title at Judgment Day or Backlash. They need more title reigns like Austin's in 2001. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest subliminal_animal Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Well i guess the only reason they need Cena in the main event picture is just to do the job for Brock,b/c Cena is such a great actor while he is getting pinned in the middle of the ring.(And since when Pro wrestling is masterpiece theater that you need acting so bad?) What a post! Especially this part ... (And since when Pro wrestling is masterpiece theater that you need acting so bad?) Just leaving out one "is" made that seem so hilariously unwieldy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted March 20, 2003 When did this whole 'paying your dues' stuff become fashionable on the internet? What do you care if they push someone since its not taking food out of anyone's mouth or any of that. Cena's managed to get himself over with any semblance of a push and simply using a simple rapping gimmick. Why not push the guy into a sacrifice position with Brock? Benoit isn't going anywhere that he needs to be jammed into that position right now especially since you don't want to job him to Brock or Brock to him at this point. Cena challenges the monster and loses... so what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest The Hamburglar Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Each one of Cena's raps is better then any RVD match ever. Fact. They have to jazz up Cena's offense a bit, though. Give him a few nifty moves he can hit on anyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest BionicRedneck Report post Posted March 20, 2003 they could just "jazz up" Cena's wrestling ability. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Kahran Ramsus Report post Posted March 20, 2003 When did this whole 'paying your dues' stuff become fashionable on the internet? What do you care if they push someone since its not taking food out of anyone's mouth or any of that. Cena's managed to get himself over with any semblance of a push and simply using a simple rapping gimmick. Why not push the guy into a sacrifice position with Brock? Benoit isn't going anywhere that he needs to be jammed into that position right now especially since you don't want to job him to Brock or Brock to him at this point. Cena challenges the monster and loses... so what? Exactly. And since you have two PPVs before you need Brock/Opponent to carry a card by itself, there is no reason not to do it. Benoit/Brock should stay apart for awhile, since that is the biggest match Smackdown has right now. They might have to do it out of necessity for the first Smackdown PPV, but I would try to get Hogan to job to Brock again if I could and push Brock/Benoit off to the fall. By that time, it should be time to get the title off of Brock and you can use Benoit to do it. If you do Benoit/Brock right away, you either bury one of them, or you do a screwjob finish that kills the momentum of Brock's reign right out of the gate. Cena is the best bet, especially considering he already has an issue with Brock over the injury. My second choice would be Matt Hardy, but he would be working the same type of storyline as Cena and you have to give him a reason to hate Brock first. Brock/Cena writes itself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheGame2705 Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Cena doesn't equal Mike Sanders. Cena is much much much more attractive than him...and he can sure fill out a pair of tights. I'd definitely take Sanders over Cena. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted March 20, 2003 Are you guys talking about talent, or how much you would want to bang one guy over the other? Oh wait, its Banky... its definitely the banging. Anyway, neither Sanders or Cena really blow the other out of the water in any category right now. Both have better than average talking skills but are pretty pedestrian in the ring. But if I were a betting man, I would say Cena has more of an upside potentional to be a success in the industry than Sanders. I just think Cena is a better athlete than Sanders and therefor has more room to grow inside the ring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
