John Cena has made a career out of molding himself as the WWE's modern-day Hulk Hogan. He preaches Hustle, Loyalty and Respect, and has played the squeaky clean role model for much of his career. But recently, rival Brock Lesnar and his spokesman Paul Heyman have been trying to unleash John Cena's dark side. At Monday Night Raw's go-home show before the upcoming PPV Night of Champions, Heyman almost succeeded. But will it backfire on Heyman and Lesnar? Cena has certainly tapped into a new vein of badass, and is headed into the Pay-Per-View intent on winning the belt back.
Hulk Hogan learned one thing in the 90's: kids get tired of saying their prayers and eating their vitamins. John Cena has been pro wrestling's nearest equivalent over the last decade or so. That's why he's such a polarizing figure. Young kids still love him because he's basically a life-sized G.I. Joe. Grown-ups think he's a weenie who doesn't fit the modern paradigm for successful wrestling gimmicks. And both sides are right.
The best thing Cena can do is what he did on Raw. He unleashed the intensity without really sacrificing his moral center. Sure, he knocked Heyman off the apron, but how many times did Jimmy Hart take a bump after being sleazy past the point of redemption?
Heyman's temptation of JC was two parts Satan, three parts Emperor Palpatine. And it was great. Every time you think Paul can't do a better promo, he tops himself. And he just may have saved John Cena's career in the process. When Cena stops cracking jokes and just goes HAM on a bad guy, he is in his element. The heart of every warrior has a black spot, but if Cena can focus his rage, he can beat Brock Lesnar. He can still be a good guy, but he will be a good guy that everybody actually likes.
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