WWE Wrestlemania 28: WWE Needs to Give Up the Dream of John Cena Getting Cheers

Per recent reports, the WWE booking team is aiming for a split fan reaction at this year's WrestleMania main event between The Rock and John Cena in Miami.

Even if this hadn't hit the news sites, we probably would have been able to guess this was their strategy going by recent episodes of Raw and SmackDown. In fact, we've been shown several well-produced, extremely flattering video packages paying tribute to Cena's hard work in promoting the company and helping various charities.

Additionally, at the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, there was a skit of him down at the gym training with some FCW rookies and offering them useful advice on the business.

Of course, it has to be noted that it isn't all artificial or manufactured, as he does an astonishing amount of charity work. Make-A-Wish officials have stated in the past that Cena, who is very popular with children and thus receives a huge amount of requests, has granted more wishes than any other wish-granter in history.

During his time on top of WWE, he has also gained a reputation for being easier to deal with and much more low maintenance than most main eventers. Compare Cena's down-to-earth demeanor with the tribulations of Randy Orton a few years ago. Or Shawn Michaels' erratic behaviour in the '90s. Or Hulk Hogan's incessant politicking in the '80s or '90s. Or Steve Austin's personal issues over the years. 

So John Cena really is a great guy. WWE haS just decided everyone else has to know it to. 

In a bid to make him come off as more cool and edgy, Cena was also allowed to get the upper-hand in his heated verbal exchange with The Rock at last Monday's Raw, with a stinging jibe over the wrestler-turned-actor having his promo notes scrawled on his wrist (many have suggested this was a shoot line and Cena double-crossed his WM foe, but the most common theory was that it was simply part of the script). 

It is perfectly understandable why the company is keen to go in this direction. After all, John Cena will be the one expected to carry the company after Rock goes back to Hollywood, so it makes sense for the company to be looking out for his future beyond April 1.

But, alas, it is probably doomed to failure.

First of all, WM will be emanating from the Sun Life Stadium in Miami. You know, The Rock's home town. Factoring in Cena's tumultuous relationship with the fans since 2005, and Rock's enduring popularity with the WWE masses, Rock is virtually guaranteed a wholly supportive crowd.

Second of all, when trying to gauge Cena's reaction at the show, we should look at who the 70,000 crowd will be comprised of. Who makes up the crowd? Often hardcore fans who travel from all over the world to attend the event.

It's no secret these fans are not very fond of Mr. Cena, whose fanbase mostly consists of women and children. They are going to be absolutely merciless on April 1.

Perhaps the main hurdle for WWE in attempting to convince a large section of the WWE Universe to warm to their biggest star, is that many fans have it enshrined into them that they will absolutely not cheer John Cena under any circumstances.

It doesn't matter how many good matches he participates in, how often they are reminded of his charity, or even if it's pointed out that Rock's material is just as childish and sophomoric and Cena's critics accuse his promos of being (like on last week's Raw, when Cena mocked his foe's obsession with getting dumb phrases on Twitter), it has simply become cool to dislike him, a badge of honor almost. 

So what can WWE do?

The best course of action for the company may be to accept Cena is going to be booed vociferously at the Sun Life Stadium and divert all their attention on promoting Rock/Cena as a must-see match. Certainly trying to "guilt" fans into liking Cena (as Dave Meltzer claimed the company was attempting to do on a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio) is a ridiculous idea and one that is almost certainly going to fail.

Not to mention that the constant mentioning in video packages and promos of how nice a guy Cena is, while true, almost serves to make him look very fraudulent and disingenuous indeed.

For that reason, if nothing else, WWE may want to give up this current tact.