John Cena: Insight into Why Kids Love the WWE Superstar so Much

The John Cena love/hate divide is not strictly based on age, but it’s a large part of it.

WWE shows are teeming with kids in Cena wristbands, caps and whatever color shirts he’s wearing that month.

Why do kids flock to him?

Surely they’re not as critical as adults.  Many of us spend our days trying not to be impressed. 

Kids see past Cena’s flaws—his overeagerness to please, his silly Five Knuckle Shuffle.

But why do they fawn over him and not The Big Show or Randy Orton?

My wife is an elementary school art teacher, and she helped me survey some of her students in an effort to help understand the obsession little dudes and dudettes have with WWE’s cash cow.   

All of the following quotes are taken from her third- and fourth-grade students. 

“He's a good wrestler and he's funny and he's nice to other kids. He works with the Make a Wish Foundation.”

While I’ll dispute this kid’s claims that Cena is a good wrestler, there’s no doubt that he’s been one of the best ambassadors WWE has ever had. 

In real life and wrestling, Cena is a nice guy. 

For adult fans, that doesn’t hold a lot of weight.  For kids, it makes them trust and respect him.

“When he got hurt, I thought he was going to quit, but he didn't. I don't think any other WWE wrestler
would come back. Others would quit.”

Cena is often portrayed as tough and heroic.

Kids can get lost in the story far easier than we can.  Adult wrestling fans are often too cynical and critical to suspend their disbelief for the sake of entertainment.

This kid sees Cena’s return so soon after being injured by Brock Lesnar as an amazing feat of fortitude. 

Adult fans may see it as poor booking.

WWE recognized Cena’s appeal to kids long ago and has been painting him as a good-natured man of heart and determination since. 

“I like the episode of 'Fred' where John Cena takes Fred to go and look for a girl called Judy.”

Unless you have kids, you may not know much about the Internet video series and movie, Fred.  The show is about a high-pitched six-year-old and his dysfunctional, but hilarious life.

Cena appearing on a show they love increases his celebrity, regardless of how corny it is. 

“He's better than other wrestlers because he's more devoted. It looks like he puts in a lot of time.”

This is an argument used by adult Cena fans as well.

He’s dedicated to wrestling and gives it his all.

Kids value the virtue of diligence.  They’re constantly told it’s not about if they win, but how hard they try. 

Cena tries hard all the time, so he must be a great guy. 

“John Cena is strong.”

That’s an undeniable fact. 

One of Cena’s major strengths is his strength. 

Though most of us are impressed when he does an Attitude Adjustment to two guys at once, kids are likely watching a moment like that with their eyes popping out of their head.

Cena’s biceps alone (like Hulk Hogan’s before him) are a powerful selling point. 

“He's a good rapper. I've seen his YouTube videos. Cena beat a kid at a rap battle.”

Kids have terrible taste, especially in music. 

How else can you explain the popularity of the Jonas Brothers and Justin Bieber?

The same wrestler who many adult fans see as corny and oversimplified can easily be adored by kids in the same way they can love Bieber.

Neither Cena nor Bieber are annoying to them; they’re fun.

Closing Thoughts

Kids don’t mind corny. In fact, they are drawn to it. 

They want heroes to look up to, burly action heroes who are unrelenting against the bad guys and sweet and compassionate to kids. 

They want flash and bright colors and continuity.

Cena has been the squeaky-clean good guy for as long as kids can remember. 

Big Show, CM Punk and Randy Orton are all highly capable of returning to the dark side. 

Meanwhile, Cena will be fighting the good fight, preaching his mottos and never giving up, his loyal followers waving their hands in front of their faces.