Who could have known that John Cena’s catchphrase, “You Cant’ See Me”, would be such an ominous premonition for his WWE career?
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Cena has carried the WWE on his back for the last decade. He’s worked more than any top star in company history. From his record breaking 500th Make-A-Wish granted to his record breaking merchandise sales, John Cena is the WWE’s most bankable torch bearer.
Currently on hiatus from the WWE filming his reality show, True Grit, Cena doesn’t look to be back full time anytime soon. With several movies on the way and hosting duties for this weekend’s Saturday Night Live, it’s becoming clear that Hollywood is becoming more and more endeared with the 15 time WWE world champion.
The time is soon coming when the WWE will need to find a new “face that runs the place” to permanently fill John Cena’s shoes. The last few years it’s been clear that the WWE has been hopeful Roman Reigns would fill that role. The WWE universe, however, has been less than accepting of Reigns designation as The Guy.
To be the next John Cena, a superstar has to be able to do 5 things:
Sell merchandise.
Be the charitable face of the company.
Pop ratings.
Have crossover appeal.
Be able to control the crowd on the mic.
With that in mind, here are the 5 best choices to grab the baton from Cena when he does walk away.
Jason Jordan
Let’s start with the longshot. If Vegas was taking odds on who would be the next John Cena, this American Alpha tag team star would probably be sitting at 50-1 right now. However, from the first moment I saw Jordan in the NXT ring, I thought he had something that I just couldn’t put my finger on. In the wrestling biz, they call it, well, “it”, and Jordan has plenty of “it.” Jordan’s still a bit green, but he’s already great in the ring, and is showing tons of potential on the mic. In both look and style, Jordan could pass for the illegitimate son of Kurt Angle and The Rock.
Also, Jordan is in a great position right now. A long, successful run with a well respected tag team can often be the springboard for a HUGE singles career. Just ask Bret Hart, Edge, and Shawn Michaels.
Roman Reigns
Whether you like it or not, it’s clear this is who the WWE has felt was the obvious choice to be the next John Cena. In fact, Cena’s long history of splitting the crowd while maintaing the top spot is likely directly responsible for how Roman has been booked for the past few year.ย There have been rumors that due to Roman’s last championship run not drawing the ratings the company had hoped that Vince may have soured on the idea of putting all his eggs in the Roman Empire’s basket.
Reigns’ wellness suspension last year may have just left the door cracked open enough for another contender to take the Cena mantle.
Big E
Is he built like a superhero? Yes. Do children love him? Yes. Can he cross over to mainstream media? Of course! He’s hilarious. Big E has all the tools to become the WWE’s next John Cena!
Big E is paying his dues right now in one of the most successful tag teams in WWE history. He’s gained the love and respect of the fans, and if booked correctly, should be the breakout star of The New Day.
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AJ Styles
After defeating John Cena at two straight pay per views, AJ is the current “face that runs the place.” Styles is the most well-respected wrestler in the business and despite putting on one of the best heel runs we’ve seen as WWE champion, AJ has all the tools to do whatever the hell he wants in the WWE.
However, the big question is could AJ be the super over babyface that John Cena is for the kids? No. Anyone with their own intitials tatooed on their body is a heel. Those are just the facts. AJ is more Shawn Michaels than John Cena. Styles certainly has what it takes to be one of the WWE’s top stars for years, but his babyface runs in both TNA and WWE were never as as interesting as his Heel runs in either WWE or New Japan.
Bayley
You thought the next John Cena had to be a man? Come on, now! We’re living in a new era. The hero of Star Wars is a woman, the Ghostbuster are women, and women are ruling wrestling. No longer labeled as divas, women have main evented pay per views and are now closing out RAW on a regular basis. Sure, the two women responsible for this have been Charlotte and Sasha Banks, but both of those women are better suited as heels. Bayley will soon be the face of women’s wrestling and quite possibly professional wrestling. In the history of the WWE, there has rarely ever been a more pure “face” than this former NXT women’s champion.
With her amazingly over, wacky inflatable entrance, Cena-like bright colored merchandise, and positive message, the WWE will soon strap a rocket to Bayley’s back and turn her into THE next John Cena.
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