WWE: John Cena or CM Punk, Who Do You Build a Franchise Around?

Supposing both John Cena and CM Punk were free agents and a new promotion could only choose one to build their brand on, they'd have a long, hard decision ahead of them.

Two of WWE's most popular superstars, Punk and Cena’s style and skills are a stark contrast. 

Cena is a throwback to when faces where pure good guys, while Punk is working to usher in an era with the fourth wall removed.  Cena's repertoire is slam and shoulder-block heavy.  Punk's move set is heavily influenced by Muay Thai boxing. 

Both have their strong points and both appeal to different sets of fans.  Who do you stake your company’s future on? 

Who is the better pillar of a franchise?

The Case for Cena

Snagging Cena would bring a tremendous amount of name recognition.  Ask any non-wrestling fan to name three wrestlers and chances are they’ll say Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin and John Cena.

Often compared to Hogan, Cena is nowhere as famous as him, but is the closest thing to the Hulkster for this generation.

He’s wildly popular with kids.  If you wanted your franchise to be more of a PG product, choosing Cena would be a smart move. 

While his oft-mocked wrestling skills are not as polished as Punk's, he's put on a number of memorable matches.  His success is heavily dependent on his opponent.

You'd have to take that into consideration when signing the rest of your roster. 

The Case Against Cena

Overexposure and a stale gimmick has led to a growing amount of animosity toward him.  Fans tired of his act may avoid a promotion where Cena is the centerpiece. 

He's currently pushing a growing number of WWE fans away.

Like Hogan, his charisma and presence help hide his lack of in-ring skills.  Repetitive moves, periodical sloppiness and a lack of grace make his matches less appealing.

He needs someone on the level of Shawn Michaels or CM Punk to put on a great show and the hype and build to a match has to be strong enough to compensate for his lackluster ring work. 

The Case for Punk

Punk is a far better wrestler.  Strip away all the spectacle and remove all the weapons from wrestling and Punk can still put on one hell of a show. 

The way he approaches his ring work is the same way he approaches the mic and gimmick elements of the game.  He is never satisfied, constantly evolving and improving. 

Punk keeps fans captivated, wondering what he’ll do or say next. 

The Case Against Punk

Punk's recent success has brought an invigorating buzz to WWE.  One has to wonder if he can maintain that level of success over the long haul.

Cena’s been a top draw for years while Punk's been talented, but never fully appreciated until now. 

He’s not as famous as Cena.  Mr. Hustle, Loyalty, Respect garners numerous commercials and is consistently one of the top sellers in merchandise. 

Punk may get there in the near future, but for now lags behind Cena in that department. 

He also has an annoying habit of calling spots.  Punk will lean over next to an opponent’s ear and clearly be telling him something.  Though a lot of guys call spots, Punk is one of the worst at hiding it. 

It's something he can certainly tighten though.

Verdict

CM Punk.

In the end it depends on if the promotion places a higher on the entertainment or the wrestling of sports entertainment.  Punk gives you better matches, Cena a bigger buzz.

And while Cena will likely remain at the level he is now, Punk will at least strive to get better and better.  Punk better understands when and how to change to keep the fans interested. 

Cena brings in more money now, but Punk is the better long-term investment.