Why John Cena Is the Right WWE Superstar in the Wrong Era

He’s clean cut, in great shape, got a big smile on his face, and fears no one.  He’s full of heart, with a fighting spirit, and never backs down from a challenge.

He’s John Cena, and he is the most hated man in WWE.

Before you say it, I know, you’re so sick of reading about Captain America’s love/hate relationship with fans, right? 

Yeah, me too.

However, I have to say, that as a WWE Featured Columnist, this is a topic that is ever present.

It’s always there, despite what pay-per-view is coming up, despite what Superstars are being featured in the company, nothing changes the fact John Cena has consistently been public enemy No. 1 for a long time now.

Some say it’s his fault. Though his ring work is not on the level of many other Superstars who have come before him, like Bret Hart and Stone Cold.

The fact is, John has been on top for a while now.

He should be a higher caliber performer, a man who has taken the time to learn his craft, and excel at it. After all, how could fans hate and disrespect him if he were in the same league as Shawn Michaels?

Others say John is not to blame.  

The man is doing what he can do in the ring, and when he received his opportunity to step up, he took it. Was he supposed to have stopped, entered Vince McMahon’s office, and told him he wasn’t ready? Should he have voiced his concerns that perhaps being such a one-dimensional worker would eventually affect his standing with the fans whose opinion must count for something?

For me, I can see the merit in both sides.  

I personally believe that Cena should be better in the ring by now, able to have a five-star match with anyone in the locker room.  But, the truth is, his best matches have come against great opponents, Superstars who could carry anyone they face on any given night. The problem is, John cannot reciprocate.

In other words, Triple H can do a lot for Cena, but Cena cannot do much for Triple H.

But, no, I am not naive enough to believe that John Cena should have put the breaks on before his mega push began, and politely said "no thank you." He’s doing what anyone in his shoes would have done, and he owes no apologies for that.

So, where is the problem?  

Simple. John Cena is a man out of time.

Everything that John possesses, the good looks, the great physique, his fearlessness and loyalty to his fans, the complete package, is representative of an era.  An era that, despite how hard it is to believe, would actually embrace Cena for everything he is, and love him for it.

Thing is, that era was twenty plus years ago.

WWE in 2012 is not where Cena belongs.  His time, his era, was the WWF circa 1985.  There’s just no other way to describe it.

So, throw Cena in the time machine, and send him to the days of the blue and gold, the days of the ice cream bars, and WWF wrestling buddies.  

What do you get? You get a Superstar on top of the world.

The muscles, the smile, the cheesy jokes and overall boy scout image, would have placed Cena directly in the spotlight of the World Wrestling Federation.  His wholesome approach, and throwback comic book superhero mentality, would be on display for an audience not changed by the Attitude Era. He would be accepted for who he is, not rejected because of what he is not.

The WWF would have fit him like a glove.

I know what you’re thinking: "What about Hulk Hogan?  No one could have taken him out of his No. 1 position in the company, he was the man."

Don’t worry about Hogan. This is not about him, and his untouchable status as the king of Sports Entertainment.

This is about John Cena, and his true love for the business, a love that keeps him in the ring, and out of Hollywood.

This is about finding a reason why, despite their best efforts, WWE could not get Cena over as a baby face if he single-handedly saved a school bus full of handicapped kids from going nose first over a cliff.

Fans think that he’s phony, that is character is out of touch, and he is too tame for the times. When they look into his eyes, they don’t see a real person, they see a character, who is begging to be accepted.

But, the truth is that Cena is being himself, and it’s not working. It has not worked in a very long time.

Cena's character needs an update. He needs an edge. He needs to evolve.

Does he need to turn heel? I think the answer to that one is obvious. Will he? That answer is not so obvious.  

But, one thing is for sure—Vince McMahon is determined to keep John Cena at, or right near, the top.

There is no room to maneuver, and no room for compromise. Despite what anyone says, fans seem to be the only ones involved here who understand who and what Cena is, and why he will never be fully accepted by the masses.

He’s a WWF Superstar, who cut a rap tune with Run DMC for the Piledriver album. He gave the Attitude Adjustment to King Kong Bundy, then climbed the blue cage to raise his arms in victory.

Cena is the Superstar with a purpose—he’s just twenty or so years too late.