Guest gearhead Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Now this is not a John Cena bashing thread, nor is it a John Cena prasing thread. This is a thread about John Cena's very creative and once was very fresh, gimmick. Now as many of you know, when Cena's started the gimmick, people were saying how it was a fun gimmick but he would NEVER make it big with it. Well suddenly John Cena starting getting massively over with the raps he did and then became one of the most over guys on Raw. Suddenly, almost everyone started to love John Cena. Including me. I started to love his gimmick. Cena could make som raps which would make the crowd laugh, and in the ring, he would play the ruthless wrestler role. It was almost perfect. He was so over, the WWE even had to turn him face due to the loud face pops. BUT for about 2 months now, John Cena's gimmick has, in my opinion, lost its flavor. Something I thought...no wait, something I knew would eventually happen. Hell, when was the last time John Cena got one of the pops he used to get? When was the last time his raps were actually good? Now his raps may not be bad, but there not as good as they once were. That however can be blamemd on the Cena face turn, he plays a much better heel. Anyways, John Cena's gimmick has completly gone down the draine. He went from one of the most over guys on SmackDown! to really, just a mid carder. His feud with Rene Dupree, while has helped Rene, in my opinion, has hurt Cena. Also, Cena's mic skills aren't all that impressive anymore. Like I statted, Cena plays a much better heel and I don't like how Cena now has to try and get some cheap pops. Not to mention he always wears the home towns jersey, which IMO is kind of begging for some crowd pops. John Cena IMO needs to turn heel so we can see this: *Better raps, insulting the crowd maybe. *He plays a better heel *As a face he seems a little corny Does anyone else agree with me? Thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
edotherocket 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Cena would be better as a heel but I think he's not really a good enough wrestler to back it up in the ring. As a face wrestler he has lots of signature moves he can pull off and he can be beaten up the rest of the time. Keep him face and work on making his raps edgier says I. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted May 27, 2004 The rapping character was always needlessly stupid, but he was at least able to sneak in some funny barbs as a heel. Face Cena is just kind of lame, even for me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jericho2000Mark 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 He would have been better off as a tweener, like Rock in '99...where he was basically the same character he was as a heel, but teaming with faces and fueding with heels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Downhome 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 If by "becoming very stale" you mean "has been stale since the very moment that he turned face", then I agree with you. I haven't hated both a character, as well as a finisher, as much as I hate Cena and the FU, in a very long time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dark Age 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Tell, when was the last time John Cena got one of the pops he used to get? Every single SmackDown, and every single PPV, and every single house show? I don't like Cena as a face either, but he is as over, if not more, than he has ever been. He went from one of the most over guys on SmackDown! to really, just a mid carder. His feud with Rene Dupree, while has helped Rene, in my opinion, has hurt Cena. He still is one of the most over guys on SmackDown. The only guys who get as big/bigger pops than Cena are Taker and Eddie. Taker wasn't around from SS to Mania so it's natural he would be getting a bigger pop. Plus ~ITS TEH DEDMAN! It's then a toss up between Eddie and Cena who will get the bigger pop. He is as over as ever. The feud with Dupree has halted his progress, but it hasn't damaged him. Like I said, he is as over as ever, is still US Champ and will come out of the feud as the winner (I presume). I would have Cena turn heel. Let the crowd pop for him as much as they want, but keep him as a heel. He will bet even more over from being a heel because the crowd will pop more because they know that they shouldn't. Eventuually, turn him face/tweener again but let him keep his edge. And Cena needs a feud with a good worker so that he doesn't get exposed. Charlie Haas seems a good option. Even elevate Jamie Noble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Downhome 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 I'd rather them change his gimmick, especialy since it's rumored that Sting is going to return. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Trivia247 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 I actually liked Cena's Ruthless aggression first gimmick in the WWE. But this rapping one just makes him out to much to be a punk that needs to be slapped down here and there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
humongous2002 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Cena's been stale since the "motherfrickin' life" promo from the Royal Rumble ppv, that's what killed his edgy character. His "overness" won't last long if he keeps on doing his weak ass raps and his 2 and a half minutes squashes w/o any improvement on his wrestling skills. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dazed Report post Posted May 27, 2004 The problem with the raps is that he's essentially saying the same thing week in, week out. When he was feuding with Brock, it was "big dumb ape" over and over, then the Undertaker had a bunch of "respect this" and so on. None of his recent opponents (other than the Big Show, I guess) have strong enough characters to rap against. Rene Dupree / is French and gay / he's got a dog / whoops, sorry Sable. He's lost his "edge" as a face, which was what drove the character along. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
2GOLD 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Cena has been stale since his raps went to crap and he started that "deez nuts" and throwing a bag of peanuts at his opponent. I can deal with the FU in the laid back WWE style, but his promos have went straight to hell in an express elevator. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Goodear Report post Posted May 27, 2004 The real issue with Cena is that he plays a better heel character but is more effective in ring as a face where he can get by on some goofy spots like the throwback and five-knuckle shuffle that simply don't work for a heel. He's also better suited at taking poundings and rallying back than at carrying matches through his own offense. What they really need to do with Cena is stick him almost in an underdog role against a top flight heel (which they don't have on Smackdown) and let them work with that. Cena as an ass kicker just doesn't seem to fit really well in my opinion. As far as promos are concerned, they need him to cut back on the smiling baby-kissing stuff and pump the agression back up a notch. Let him actually try to be the new Austin that doesn't give a damn about anyone but himself, its proven to draw money in the past. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Cena could easily become a heel if he loses the US title to Dupree. He could cut a bitter promo telling everyone to "go fuck themselves." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Gearheads new nickname is Captain Obvious, since everyone and their mother knows Cena's babyface character is staler than 200 year old cake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NYU 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Yet he took the time to write a thoughtful article about it that provokes some intelligent conversation. BBCW, just sit quiet. Leave the sarcastic comments to the professionals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Cheech Report post Posted May 27, 2004 If by "becoming very stale" you mean "has been stale since the very moment that he turned face", then I agree with you. Agreed. And once the rapper gimmick has run its coarse, what does he have to fall back on? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Yet he took the time to write a thoughtful article about it that provokes some intelligent conversation. BBCW, just sit quiet. Leave the sarcastic comments to the professionals. I don't give a shit what he says. Everyone knows Cena is stale. If I recall, Anglesault points it out every time a Cena thread comes up. And stop trying to swerve the discussion off topic. The guy can post topic after topic, but most of them are starting to become "really, everyone knows" ones. Eventually, he's gonna run out of wrestlers to start topics about, and will recycle these. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dazed Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Shut up, at least he's creating discussion instead of shitting on other people's threads. You know the discussion can evolve past "omg hes stale" / "ya", if given a chance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 It's Rock Syndrome. Vince has all but eliminated the "cool heel", so you either have to be kissing babies or pushing grannies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pochorenella 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 The real issue with Cena is that he plays a better heel character but is more effective in ring as a face where he can get by on some goofy spots like the throwback and five-knuckle shuffle that simply don't work for a heel He didn't even do that at WMXX, which disappointed a lot of people in attendance. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Man Of 1,004 Modes Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Shut up, at least he's creating discussion instead of shitting on other people's threads. You know the discussion can evolve past "omg hes stale" / "ya", if given a chance. Well he is, and it's not something everyone is shy to mention. I think calling John Cena stale is the #1 negative post (by that I mean, amount of posts documenting it) other than Randy Orton sucks/can't wrestle/fucked up etc. etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Maybe its time to change the gimmick from hip-hop to nu-metal and work off of the teen angst that Linkin Park does so well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Toxxic 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 Maybe its time to change the gimmick from hip-hop to nu-metal and work off of the teen angst that Linkin Park does so well. Oh God, can you imagine that? *imagines it* You know, I'm having trouble. I dunno. Would a whiny, self-pitying teenage creep work better as a heel or would it actually APPEAL to the 13-18 Nu-metal demographic? It's actually an interesting idea for a gimmick, if you could just work out where it'd go. I'll guarantee you this - Anglesaut would HATE it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2004 I dunno. Would a whiny, self-pitying teenage creep work better as a heel or would it actually APPEAL to the 13-18 Nu-metal demographic? It's actually an interesting idea for a gimmick, if you could just work out where it'd go. Well it would be pattern after the Raven gimmick with "You don't understand my pain" Cena would say conformist more than man. Then there is the matter of forming a stable so Billy Kidman can go back to his "sir scratch a lot" gimmick and wear black t-shirts again, send Val Venis over as the roadie who gets the groupies for the stable, Torrie or Dawn Marie could be the Diva who causes trouble during the matches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Repo Man Reborn Report post Posted May 28, 2004 Shut up, at least he's creating discussion instead of shitting on other people's threads. You know the discussion can evolve past "omg hes stale" / "ya", if given a chance. Nice love from the moderator Way to remain impartial there, Nikjohns. I think eventually everybody gets stale and that is the whole purpose of turning face and turning heel. Have Cena get hit in the head and the first thing he sees is a picture of 1987 Sting. He believes he is Sting until the real Sting comes back and scares the crap out him. You get a new program for Cena and something to do with Sting upon his arrival. Done and done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest godofdeadlydeath Report post Posted May 28, 2004 Shut up, at least he's creating discussion instead of shitting on other people's threads. You know the discussion can evolve past "omg hes stale" / "ya", if given a chance. Nice love from the moderator Way to remain impartial there, Nikjohns. I think eventually everybody gets stale and that is the whole purpose of turning face and turning heel. Have Cena get hit in the head and the first thing he sees is a picture of 1987 Sting. He believes he is Sting until the real Sting comes back and scares the crap out him. You get a new program for Cena and something to do with Sting upon his arrival. Done and done. Uh, that's a horrible idea, and would do no favors for Cena at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Si82 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2004 Have Cena get hit in the head and the first thing he sees is a picture of 1987 Sting. He believes he is Sting until the real Sting comes back and scares the crap out him. I didn't know Vince Russo posted here. Anyway, Cena is indeed stale but that is not the way to revive the guy. You do something as stupid as that and you'll kill his career stone-dead. I don't know what has to be done to turn Cena around but I certainly think he should be a heel. The gimmick worked so much better that way. Oh yeah, and drop the "DEEZ NUTS" thing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KingPK 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2004 All he really has to do to improve in my eyes and still stay a face is eliminate the crowd pandering and turn his venom towards the heel he's facing. Take the promo on Big Show at XX; that's what I'm looking for. Keep the raps fresh, and don't get lazy with the gay references and "Deez nuts" crap, and he'll be even more over. The ring work would still need improvement, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
notJames 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2004 Shut up, at least he's creating discussion instead of shitting on other people's threads. You know the discussion can evolve past "omg hes stale" / "ya", if given a chance. Nice love from the moderator Way to remain impartial there, Nikjohns. I think eventually everybody gets stale and that is the whole purpose of turning face and turning heel. Have Cena get hit in the head and the first thing he sees is a picture of 1987 Sting. He believes he is Sting until the real Sting comes back and scares the crap out him. You get a new program for Cena and something to do with Sting upon his arrival. Done and done. Uh, that's a horrible idea, and would do no favors for Cena at all. Especially since it involves reanimating dinosaurs like Sting. Just have him lose the belt and go nuts. And I don't mean Deez nuts, either. Have him lose the belt, keep trying to get it back and losing, eschewing the support of the other faces, and eventually turning his back on the fans. Simple is better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Repo Man Reborn Report post Posted May 28, 2004 Sorry, I am a Sting mark. I really could take Cena or leave him. And if I was Vince Russo, I would have suggested a bra-and-panties match between two strippers wearing baseball jerseys and Sting masks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites