Could John Cena Turn Heel?
By Eric Darsie
One of the most popular topics to debate on wrestling podcasts, websites, and message boards is the idea of John Cena turning heel. On one of the podcasts I listen to, the Still Real to Us Show (can be found here), had several different episodes discussing if Cena could do what the smarks want him to do, and that’s “turn on his fans.” One episode I remember them talking about it was their WrestleMania XXIX episode (can be found here) when Cena challenged the Rock for the WWE Championship.
Once again, that topic was brought up on the Bryan and Vinny show twice this past week over at WrestlingObserver.com, where on the Monday, April 28th, 2014 show (can be found here) and on the Wednesday, April 20th, 2014 show (can be found here). Granted on both shows, Bryan Alveraz didn’t want to discuss Cena turning heel again, but it was being brought up again on their message board. Why him bringing it up caught my attention was one of the reasons why he believes Cena turning heel wouldn’t work, and that’s all the charity work John Cena does.
On Monday, April 28th’s WWE Monday Night Raw, a video package played airing Cena granting three wishes with Make-A-Wish that he recently granted. With his feud against Bray Wyatt, WWE Creative is starting to tie in fans “starting to turn on” John Cena, and are being brain washed by the Wyatt Family. Bryan mentioned on one of the Bryan and Vinny shows that the spilt reaction started as far back as SummerSlam 2005 when Cena defended the WWE title against Chris Jericho. In a sense its foolish to mention that the fans are starting to turn on Cena because of the Wyatt Family since Cena mentioned it many of times before on numerous promos, as well as the announcers mentioned it during programs, and previous opponents mentioned the spilt reactions.
Does the charity work make John Cena a babyface? In the eyes of children and parents, yes. Along with what the character stands for, John Cena is a babyface, hands down. In the eyes of the female’s fans, Cena is a face for his good looks and keeping up with being in great shape. The male demographic and the internet community is tired of seeing Cena as the top babyface and demands a change in character. Like what Bryan Alvarez said during one of the Bryan and Vinny shows this past week, nothing will change if Cena’s character does.
We already saw John Cena face everybody in main events. Randy Orton, Triple H, Batista, Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Bray Wyatt, Daniel Bryan, they all faced John Cena as heels (or as a face). If Cena happens to turn, we’d had to see him face those guys (or other guys I haven’t mentioned) all over again, only the tides had changed. Some of those feuds I don’t want to see again. Batista isn’t accepted as a babyface, Shawn Michaels won’t wrestle again, and his feud against Randy Orton was overdone when they had it before hand.
Besides having to rehatch a lot of feuds that’s been done before, the merchandise sales would go down because the kids and the women would feel that Cena has turned on them (and he would’ve, if he became a heel). John Cena is the top selling superstar in merchandise sales (can be found here), so if he turns, it could hurt the WWE financially. As a member of the internet community, that doesn’t matter to me but I do understand that WWE wants to make the best moves for the company financially.
If the WWE is concerned about their merchandising sales if they turn Cena, then should build up a new babyface superstar to take his place, if WWE Creative and Vince McMahon decides to make that decision. Daniel Bryan could be the face of the company if they keep building him up like they have in the last few years, but he isn’t in that place right now. Maybe in a few years Bryan could be the man to carry the torch for Cena, maybe. That decision is in the hands of the WWE and in my opinion; I can’t see them making that power play.
So, could John Cena turn heel? He could, Hulk Hogan did it in 1996 when he joined up with Kevin Nash and Scott Hall and turned on all the Hulkamanics and WCW. I feel like it would have to be the right storyline, like it was for Hogan in 1996. The ratings didn’t jump right away for WCW Monday Nitro when “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan and the New World Order formed, but with the heat they gained while steamrolling over all the babyfaces, fans tuned in and wanted to see what was next for the New World Order. If the angle and storyline was right, John Cena could turn heel. Like mentioned earlier, WWE needs to build up the next top babyface and marketing tool if Vince McMahon and the Creative Team wants to turn John Cena. But as of now, I don’t expect John Cena to be other than the babyface he’s been for almost about a decade now. We can fantasy book it and all, but all it’ll be is fantasy. Let’s enjoy the product that the WWE is putting on and let’s see what’s next, for the next line of main eventers and next line of feuds and storylines.
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