John Cena

Morning, long time reader/first time poster blah blah blah

Anyway, have had a love/hate relationship for Wrestling for a long time, sometimes it can make my jaw drop in sheer amazement and other times (like most) I feel like putting my television through a table!

Following a chat with other wrestling fans in the pub last night about John Cena and how he's the WWE equivalent of marmite, I was wondering:

How would you book John Cena - storyline/approach etc?

Lets face it, Vince is never going to drop him as he's a money making machine. However, we can all agree his current approach is getting boring and predictable. Therefore I wonder if there's anything he can do to really grab the attention of the fans like CM Punk has managed - does he need to turn heel and have some Heyman-esque to push him? Would a heel turn potentially ruin the marketing approach WWE has?

Anyway, be interesting to know your thoughts (and I apologise if this has been covered before!)

Cheers

IAmMe

No no, it is very rare we talk about a Cena heel turn on this board

For me personally being a Hip Hop fan, I would like to see the doctor of Thuganomics come back, but it will never happen.

The first thing WWE have to have covered is that if Cena turns heel then there has to be an immediate new poster boy to replace him and at present there really isn't many guys about who tick the 'I look like the number 1 guy in the company' box.

Ryback: probably the strongest contender to Cena's throne currently but with him currently in transition to a heel turn then it'd be a while before he could turn back. Kids like him, he has a reasonable catchphrase that sells tshirts, mic wise he impressed me on Raw but prior to that not much and generally he looks quite gassed in matches past a few minutes. The other concern is for me he looks too jacked, not an image I think is wise in a PG era.

Randy Orton: he ticks nearly every box on a very marketable product, but fails on so many others due to his attitude. 2 wellness violations for me means he'll never now be considered an untouchable.

Seth Rollins: I've added Seth as he has that Jeff Hardy 'I look cool for moody teenagers' look and as the PG audience grow older he could become a natural step up. Only have to look at how quickly Jeff Hardy suddenly became so over with fans prior to leaving.

Roman Reigns: Again another Shield member who could potentially become hugely popular once they eventually break up, yet to see though if individually he can cover the weaknesses that as part of a faction aren't showcased.

Ill add more thoughts later

John Cena displeases Azwethinkweiz

The thing is WWE will never change Cena because they've even managed to make money off him being hated with the Cena sucks t-shirts...as long as he makes money for them they won't be changing him.

If I had my way I wouldn't go for a heel change, I'd just bring back the thuganomics attitude...make him drop the cheesy act.

I agree with xviperx, he doesnt need to turn just needs to freshen up the character. I wouldnt go back to thuganomics but to something else again (and not in the way that the marine was incorporated)

WWE need someone who can fill the void though

Other choices:
Miz - Has the face turn failed already?
Batista/Lashley - If they return and are staying around perm

Miz - Has the face turn failed already?
Batista/Lashley - If they return and are staying around perm

Miz is sinking without trace as a face
Batista is wanting a part time contract if at all, and the fact he's 44.

Lashley.
We moan about Cena. Well how about a far worse wrestler. A far worse promoer. A far worse draw. The only box Lashley ticks is he's stacked. Well get behind Ryback, Big E, etc etc.

I always liked Lashley, give him a manager and he could have been huge

--
On the Miz, why is he sucking so much as a face?

Big E is already ahead of Lashley, in that he is big and fast.

Big E is a genuine talent

I am becoming a big big fan of Big E, I'd like if they could bring through his NXT personality over his next few matches...I know it's a simple gimmick but the whole 5 count is pretty cool.

Sheamus would take over as the kiddie friendly poster boy...

Lashley imo was pushed too hard too soon, he had some good short intense matches in OVW and the worked well under Finlays wing, he was nowhere near ready for main event level when he was pushed though