When it comes to John Cena, there's a definitive line in the sand. On one side, everyone loves him. On the other side, they hate him. Or at least they claim to hate him, but that's a completely different can of worms, which we will open another day.
Regardless of which side you stand on, both share one thing in common, they respect John Cena. Cena is the product of someone who came into the professional wrestling industry, worked tirelessly, took advantage of each and every single opportunity that was placed in front of him until he, eventually became the mega-star we all know him as today.
John Cena has exceeded any expectations that could've ever been placed on him. In fact, when the wrestling history books are re-written, there's a very good chance that John Cena will be recognised as the most polarising figure in professional wrestling history.
It's obvious that John Cena has been a cash cow for the WWE. Every time his face appears on an episode of Saturday Night Live, SportsCenter, or any other television program, the money rolls in. WWE makes a killing off Cena action figures, shirts, hats, photos or anything else with his face on it.
John Cena is much more than just another WWE Superstar, he's a brand. He's a brand that has turned iconic, with no signs of slowing down, whatsoever.
Part of what makes John Cena so great is his appeal with the younger audience. I firmly believe that he alone is the reason for the PG Era. Sure, he has some adult fans, but it's blatantly obvious that his bread and butter is his connection with the youth.
Vince and the WWE rely heavily on Cena's ability to draw these fans, and the revenue that their parents spend on WWE merchandise, as well as tickets. Once Cena is gone, there will be a gigantic void, which absolutely must be filled. But, the question is, who fills this enormous void?
There will never be an exact duplicate to John Cena. Sure, there will always be good guys, the ones who do charity events and fulfil Make-A-Wish requests, but never will there be another who will do so on the level that Cena has done.
However, there's still that need to attempt to fill those shoes, with someone who will represent the company in a positive light, while continuing to ring the cash registers. Here's a look at five current WWE Superstars that could potentially become the next John Cena.
#5 Sami Zayn
Sami is one of wrestling’s good guys. Not just figuratively, but Sami is legitimately a great guy, both in and out of the ring. Prior to signing with the WWE, Sami had a pretty significant following of El Generic fanatics. Once he signed and fans learned of the name change, it turned some people off.
To be honest, there's a select group of indie fans who simply detest everything about the WWE, and no matter if their favourite guy signs or not, they just do not like the company and never will. Despite the few who fell off, Sami still carried a great legion of die-hard fans with him to the WWE.
Sami already has the marketable presence needed to even think about filling Cena's shoes. His mic skills improved tremendously while in NXT as well. He possesses that unique gift of being able to captivate the audience, from the time he hits the entrance ramp to the time he exits the building.
Sami will just need to sharpen up his overall body of work slightly if he wants to be considered in such a category. He's already solid in the ring, and he has also proved his ability to carry a match with anyone, including a monster like Braun Strowman.
Sami might need some more mass on his bones, as well as a few more ounces of self-confidence, but he's well on his way to being a huge, main event calibre star. Will that translate into a Cena-ish run...only time will tell.
#4 Jason Jordan
Everything about this kid screams Superstardom. Jordan currently is on a fantastic run after Kurt Angle introduced him as his son on RAW. But will the pair be a permanent fixture in the WWE? Maybe Jordan has the potential of being a major player in the singles world, maybe not.
I recently witnessed Jordan in a singles match at a WWE live event, where he defeated Bo Dallas. Surprisingly, the match was very good. Jordan was able to combat the unorthodox Bo Dallas approach, with his own athletic superiority, in a match that lasted roughly 20 minutes.
I was immediately convinced that if push came to shove, Jason Jordan is very much capable of contending alone in singles action.
Jason Jordan obviously has the athletic skills to pay the bills. Whether Jason ever reverts to permanent singles competition is a question that won't be answered anytime soon. However, if in fact, American Alpha doesn't withstand the test of time, both Jordan and Gable could find themselves riding solo.
In the event, this does happen, Jason Jordan has already shown signs of potential individual stardom. It's not very hard to see how Jordan could fit into the role of a top Superstar, who isn't afraid of carrying a company on his shoulders.
#3 Bayley
Bayley? But, she's a female! Yes, I'm aware of that fact. Bayley is a beautiful young lady, with a tonne of raw talent, as well as an undying love for the sport of professional wrestling. I've often said that if John Cena was a twenty-something young lady, he'd probably be identical to Bayley.
Bayley has a massive following of die-hard fans, which she began accumulating while in NXT. Now that she's a member of the Raw roster, an even broader base of WWE fans are being exposed to Bayley and the positivity that she brings to the company.
Bayley is the type of person who would have no problem whatsoever granting Make-A-Wish requests, as well as other charitable ventures that may come up. She probably won't be able to cover as much ground as Cena has when it comes to charity work, but then again, who can?
Bayley is a wonderful asset to the WWE. Her spirit, as well as her technical ability, are perfectly in line with what it would take to be the type of representative that John Cena has been for the past decade-plus.
#2 Apollo Crews
This pick may come as a surprise to some readers, but Apollo Crews is someone who could break at any moment and become a serious contender for one of the top spots in the company. Crews possesses every single tool needed to be a Champion in the WWE.
If you were fortunate to follow him prior to signing with the WWE, then you're probably familiar with just how great this guy is, and how valuable he can be.
Apollo has international appeal, stemming back from his time spent in Japan, as well as the UK. He made his name as Uhaa Nation, but his loyal followers have indeed stuck with him. Many of us who know just how much potential he has, eagerly await the day Apollo Crews starts getting better booking against more premier talent.
His in-ring ability, combined with his highly marketable presence makes him a prime candidate for a much higher spot on the main roster.
#1 Seth Rollins
I went back and forth with this pick, but when it was all said and done, I feel strongly about the potential that lies within The Architect. Seth Rollins has had a heck of a roller coaster run since the demise of The Shield.
However, he's always managed to come out on top. When Rollins cashed in his Money In The Bank contract and won the Championship at Wrestlemania, it was an amazing moment, which sent the show off the air on a very high note.
However, his title reign that followed, left much to be desired. Rollins is a great heel, that wasn't the problem. The issue was with The Authority making the Champ appear weak.
Since returning from injury, Seth has been on fire. His current babyface run has caused Rollins to gain a lot of momentum, as well as a tonne of fanfare. The work Rollins is putting in now is serving as proof that if the company were to come down onto his shoulders, he would be well prepared to carry that load.
He may not be the first pick by some, but in this unique type of situation, you take the best you got and as of right now, Seth Rollins may very well be the best man for the job.
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