5 Reasons why I can't hate John Cena anymore

Growing up in the 80's, I was privy to some of the best wrestling, during what I still consider the very best era of all-time. It was a time where the good guys were loved and the bad guys were loathed. My bedroom was a throne to all things Hulkamania. Yes, the red and yellow tidal wave ran straight through my heart and essentially controlled my adolescence.

Being a Hulkamaniac was something that I was not ashamed of. In fact, I'm still an unapologetic supporter of Hulk Hogan and to be honest, I believe he should be brought back sooner, rather than later. Nevertheless, that is another story, for another time. However, I mentioned my adoration for Hogan simply to compare it to the way young people are so crazy about John Cena these days.

I have never been one to necessarily dislike Cena. In fact, I have always admired his work ethic and I certainly believe he loves and appreciates his fans. But with that said, I have grown tired of him at times.

During those times, I would often find myself rolling my eyes at the sound of his cancerous entrance music and sure, I would get a little irritated at how predictable some of his feuds were getting. It wasn't really anything John was doing, it was just a phase in which I was ready to see a ripple in the way things were, so-to-speak.

As time has gone on, I have noticed how much more intense the hate has gotten towards John Cena. I have sat beside fans at WWE events who I swore would love to physically get their hands on Cena, that's just how heated their hatred was towards him.

Eventually, I started having a change of heart, if you will. It wasn't that I was becoming some newly reformed super-Cena fanatic. It's just that I was starting to appreciate his positive contributions more and more.

Sure, I guess you could say I have had a change of heart as I've gotten older. I can truly say that I have grown to appreciate certain things more and yes, I can now say that I no longer have an issue with Cena.

The following slides will give you an idea why I have changed recently changed my opinion of John Cena.

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#5 Ideal Ambassador

John dressed to the nines for an appearance outside the ring

As society progresses, so to must WWE as a company, if they intend to retain old fans and gain new ones along the way. In order for professional wrestling to not be taken as a complete joke by mainstream society, there is, in fact, a need for a global ambassador, so-to-speak, to come forward and showcase our sport in a respectable light. John Cena is certainly qualified for that job.

For the past decade or so, Vince has leaned and depended upon the services of John Cena not only inside the ring but outside as well. For instance, when there's a request to have a WWE representative appear on a major talk show, you will usually see Cena on the set. Why is that, you ask?

Well, it's really quite simple. Cena carries himself in a manner that not only demands a certain level of common respect, but he also possesses a demeanor that causes people to want to invest some level of interest in whatever he is talking about. With that said, this is where he tends to draw in new fans.

#4 Never. Give. Up. (Role model)

Cena says it, Cena lives it

One of the primary complaints I hear from wrestling fans is the current PG format. There are a ton of carry-over fans who were raised during the Attitude Era and they feel things should revert back to those old, edgier, more provocative ways. While I'm the first to admit, I enjoyed the Attitude Era, I also recognize that things change and an era as brass as that era was never expected to last forever.

There are those who continue to profess that the current PG format will not last and that it is hurting the product, more than helping it. For those who feel this way, I would challenge you to simply open your eyes and take a non-bias look around. Things are not as bad as you may think. In fact, the product is actually thriving. One of the primary reasons why things are doing so well is the leadership and contributions of Cena himself.

For nearly two decades now, John Cena has made his way to the ring, performed at the highest level and he has done so while remaining a positive role model to the young fans that the PG era does, in fact, cater to. You can say what you will about Cena, but you would be foolish to question his work ethic or his moral compass.

#3 Consistency and Passion

No one works harder

Sports and sports entertainment, in general, is a hard way of life. Regardless of the "predetermined outcomes," WWE Superstars are some of the hardest working, most disciplined athletes on the planet. There is not another industry where your body is beaten and bruised as much as professional wrestling. For upwards 250 days per year and more, these men and women go out on a nightly basis and put their own bodies on the line, all for the sake of entertainment.

Leading the charge in this intense way of life, is John Cena. You can look high and low, but you will never find anyone who works as hard as Cena. The 40-year old Superstar is performing at a rate that most people half his age cannot keep up with.

Some may wonder why John Cena is seemingly hand-picked by Mr. McMahon and the WWE creative powers-that-be. Well, every team must have a leader and every ship must have a captain. Until someone is discovered who can outwork John Cena, he will continue to lead the charge, well into his 40's and beyond if necessary.

#2 Champion of Champions

Cena has accumulated 25 total Championships, with 16 being WWE Championships

Okay, I'll be the first to admit, I don't buy into the notion that a professional wrestler is defined by the number of title's he or she has won over the course of their respective career. Afterall, the final decision of who will or will not adorn the top prize is ultimately in the hands of those who make creative decisions.

However, there is something to be said about the individual holding the title, when they elevate the overall status of the championship. When John Cena carries a title, he goes into overdrive, working tirelessly to preserve the prestige of that particular title. Regardless if it's the United States Championship or the WWE Championship if Cena is holding it, you can rest assured he will risk life and limb to make sure the title is held in the highest regard.

Throughout his career, John Cena has won a total of 25 championships in all, with 16 of those being WWE Championships. With the current climate of WWE's storylines, it is possible that he will capture his 17th WWE Championship title victory in the coming weeks. There was a time when I would be 100% opposed to seeing Cena win another title. However, I have come around and while there are others I would love to see win the strap, Cena is no longer my worst case scenario.

#1 Make-A-Wish Foundation

No one has stepped up to the plate like John Cena

While making this list, there was no question regarding what my number 1 pick would be. The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded around 37 years ago with hopes of helping children with terminal illnesses by granting them one ultimate "wish." Children between the ages of 3-to-17 years of age are eligible to qualify, with the child's physician making the determination whether or not the child is eligible, based on his or her illness.

Every half-hour the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants another wish to a child afflicted with a severe condition. Each child decides what their wish may be. Some wish to have a day out at a theme park, some may want to ride horses and others want to meet their real-life hero. That's where John Cena comes into play.

In the 37 years that The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been in existence, no one has been in demand more so than John Cena. Since first getting involved with the foundation several years ago, John Cena has granted over 500 wishes through The Make-A-Wish Foundation. No one in history has ever granted as many wishes as Cena. Even today, the Foundation has a ton of children who are still wishing to meet John Cena.

What makes this whole situation even better, is how Cena carries himself. When Cena is with a child from The Make-A-Wish Foundation, he goes out of his way to make that child feel like they are the most special person in the world. Even after 500 wishes granted, Cena shows no sign of slowing down. He has a sincere heart for making children smile and that sincerity shows.

Thank you, John.