I was looking at an issue of WWE Magazine from a couple months back and saw an ad for Night of Champions with Kane holding the World Heavyweight Championship, and I’ve realized how far Kane has come in the last few months since he started this storyline with The Undertaker. He’s consistently cutting some of the best promos on WWE television, and his eulogy for his brother was strong enough to keep him at the top of the Power Poll. (My vote: 2)
2. Edge (6)
The Rated R Superstar still manages to thrive in a PG setting, defeating Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio in a triple threat match this past Friday on SmackDown to become the number one contender to the aforementioned Kane’s World Heavyweight Championship. (My vote: 1)
3. Randy Orton (4)
The Viper may well be screwed this Sunday at Survivor Series, but didn’t seem that way when he led himself and R-Truth to victory over Wade Barrett and David Otunga this past Monday with special guest referee John Cena. (My vote: 3)
4. Daniel Bryan (3)
Kill the wabbit, kill the wabbit, kill the waaaaabit! Dolph Ziggler on Friday, Ted DiBiase on Monday, who’s next to tap out to the WWE United States Champion? (My vote: 7)
5. Wade Barrett (2)
With John Cena stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place, things are looking good for Barrett as Survivor Series draws nearer, despite a loss this past Monday in tag team action. (My vote: 6)
6. John Cena (5)
Despite being Wade Barrett’s errand boy, John Cena continues to impress the Power Poll voters with great promos and body language. (My vote: N/A)
7. The Miz (7)
Despite not making any effort to cash it in as of late, The Miz is not letting anybody forget that he’s still got that Money In The Bank briefcase. Isn’t that right, Big Show? (My vote: N/A)
8. Matt Morgan (NR)
Matt Morgan standing up for an injured Mr. Anderson has endeared him to the fans, Christopher Nowinski, and Power Poll voters alike. (My vote: 5)
9. Jeff Hardy (8)
The self proclaimed new AntiChrist of professional wrestling, Jeff Hardy, may not have seen much in ring action on last week’s iMPACT, but the video packages kept him, and what he did at Bound For Glory, fresh in our minds. (My vote: 4)
10. Alberto Del Rio (NR)
Interrupting Kane? Now that takes some juevos. Alberto Del Rio steps back up and jumps back in to the top 10 this week. (My vote: N/A)
Dropped out: Dolph Ziggler, Big Show
Also voted on by me: Sheamus (8), Santino (9), and Big Show (10)
This is simply an extended reponse to my previous column dealing with the wide-open subject of John Cena. “Bored Wrestling Fans” very own Jana always provides a good read and I thought that her opinions were so great that it’d be a shame not to share them with the rest of you! Couldn’t fit THIS into one measly comment!
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The current anti-Cena attitude can be traced to several factors.
The easy thing to do, which is also incorrect, is to make blanket assumptions, such as “The IWC hates Cena,” or that only women and kids cheer for Cena. Both of those statements are demonstrably false. Show me a fan of ANYTHING today who doesn’t spend time on the internet, researching and seeking to connect with others of like mind. I don’t remember anyone ever claiming that only women and kids cheered for Hulk Hogan back in the 80s, and if it were true for Cena, it would almost have to be true for Hogan. The argument that Hogan was a star in a more innocent time, where older kids and guys would have felt comfortable supporting him, and that we today have already experienced the age of the anti-hero, making the more traditional hero less attractive, doesn’t stand up either. Hogan’s heyday in the 80s was the time of Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry, the X-Men comics (which I know were created earlier, but were still very popular), the golden age of hard rock and heavy metal, and a host of other tv, movie, and comic book characters who were as dark, edgy, and of the anti-hero vein as anything that we have today.
Wrestling fans have grown up accustomed to “cool” heels. The nWo holds much responsibility for this, as does DX, the original ECW, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, and the Rock. We’ve almost been trained to be contrary, cheering for heelish characters and booing babyfaces. The example of the Rock is always trotted out, and the comparison has some merit. Rocky Maivia was too goody-goody and boring. The Rock was everything that we wanted to be. Cena was quite popular all around when he first started the rapper gimmick, largely because he was unpredictable on the mic. He would cut down anyone, including Vince McMahon. Nowadays, he grunts and makes rather constipated-looking facial expressions while repeating lackluster catchphrases like “Never give up.” Cena is doing exactly what he is supposed to do by playing the indestructible super hero that every kid loves, but in doing so, he has completely alienated the rest of the audience that is not part of the PG demographic.
This leads me to the next point. Whether it really happened because Linda McMahon decided to run for Senate or not, the shift to the PG product and tightly focused marketing on kids is, to a degree, a very sound business decision. The golden age of WWF in the 80s (I consider the Attitude Era a completely different creature from any sort of “golden age.”) targeted kids. Business boomed. Now those very kids are grown and have their own kids. It’s a basic business concept to “get ’em when they’re young,” and then you have customers for life. It certainly worked before. The problem with catering to a new generation of fans is that the previous generation of fans, who have supported the product with time, money, and passion, feel slighted and even cheated. The resentment and hatred over that is transferred to the company’s poster boy, John Cena. The thing that WWE seems to have forgotten in their new business model is that the kids aren’t paying for anything. Parents and guardians, adults, in other words, have to take the kids to the shows, buy tickets, t-shirts, masks, and all the other merchandise that gets created, and sit through the shows with the kids, both live on on tv. If the parents think that the content is stupid, or embarrassing/insulting to human intelligence, they won’t want to spend the time and money on WWE that they once did. Basically, there has to be something in it for them as well, and WWE is ignoring that.
This ties in with my final point. You were dead-on about having a company that has a bit of everything. That’s why I (and so many others, by the sound of it) feel so disappointed and let down by both WWE and TNA. I wouldn’t mind sitting through a John Cena match if I knew that I would get an Alex Shelley match somewhere else on the card. The most effective and profitable concept for pro wrestling has always been, and always will be, what I call the circus model. It has a little bit of everything, and all of it is good. Comedy acts, like Santino Marella and Hornswaggle. Over-the-top epicness like the Undertaker and Kane. Special attractions like the Great Khali and the Big Show. True tag teams like the Hart Dynasty, the Usos, Beer Money, and the Motor City Machine Guns. Legitimate women’s matches with actual wrestlers like Beth Phoenix, Natalya, Mickie James, Daffney, Sarita, MsChif, and Sara Del Ray. Mat-based technical wow-fests with people like Douglas Williams, Nigel McGuinness, Christopher Daniels, AJ Styles, Davey Richards, KENTA, and Roderick Strong. Powerhouses like Drew McIntyre, Samoa Joe, and Sheamus. Super-athletic high-fliers like Brian Kendrick, Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, Justin Gabriel, John Morrison, and Austin Aries. That would be every wrestling fan’s dream.
The company with the broadest appeal does the best business. ROH caters to a very specific audience, and that’s great for that audience. They specifically say that they aren’t interested in the casual fan, and that they provide serious wrestling that has nothing to do with sports entertainment for fans of real pro wrestling. Fine, that’s their thing. The big two aren’t much better. WWE hates tag teams, most of the smaller and more athletic high-fliers, and legitimate female wrestlers who don’t look like Barbie dolls. They focus on children at the expense of the adult audience. TNA prides themselves on being a more adult product, but Eric Bischoff mocks the hardcore wrestling fans and says repeatedly that they don’t matter, that the casual fans were the target audience. As you said, TNA has tried so hard to be WWE that they have lost almost everything that made them different. The X-Division, the six-sided ring, the legitimate Knockouts division, the focus on true tag teams, and the international talent are all gone.
How does all this tie back in to John Cena? While there are a given number of douchebags who have to make sure that everyone knows that they are far too cool to ever like something that is popular or mainstream, most of it, I honestly believe, stems from frustrated and disappointed fans who feel that there is nothing in the WWE product for them anymore. They resent having devoted so much time, money, and passion into something that has essentially ditched them. Because John Cena is the embodiment of the current WWE product, all the negative feelings are transferred to him. Booing and criticizing him is easier than actually getting the desired changes from Vince and the WWE. It’s rather like spending huge quantities of time, effort, and money on dating someone, and then you get kicked to the curb for someone else. Of course you hold that individual up as the epitome of all that is wrong with the world. It’s how human nature works.
As if there were any question. The Viper has been topping the Power Poll regularly without the WWE Championship, and now that he’s got the title he’s got to be unstoppable on this thing. His show opening promo with Sheamus was one of very few highlights on this past Monday’s RAW. (My vote: 1)
2. Daniel Bryan (9)
Once again proving that a championship victory means a lot to the members of the Power Poll voting committee, Daniel Bryan jets up the ranks by taking the United States Championship from his former NXT pro The Miz. (My vote: 4)
3. Kane (2)
It’s a rare occasion for any superstar to have The Undertaker’s number, and it finally seems as if Kane may have joined that elite group as he retains the World Heavyweight Championship at Night of Champions. (My vote: 9)
4. The Miz (10)
Even in defeat, The Miz catapults up the Power Poll this week. Mr. Money In The Bank looked strong in his loss at Night of Champions, and his beatdown of Daniel Bryan on RAW certainly helped him regain any lost respect. (My vote: 3)
5. John Cena (3)
I could’ve sworn I voted for Cena this week in the poll, but apparently not. It doesn’t help him as he drops two spots, despite defeating a majority of The Nexus members on RAW. (My vote: NR)
6. Alberto Del Rio (5)
Not much from Alberto Del Rio this week, but he’s doing his job well enough that we haven’t forgotten him. (My vote: 8)
7. Dolph Ziggler (NR)
Retaining his Intercontinental Championship against all odds at Night of Champions, Dolph Ziggler earns enough votes to get himself onto the Power Poll. (My vote: NR)
8. Wade Barrett (NR)
A strong showing at Night of Champions and the prospect of forcing John Cena to join The Nexus helps Wade Barrett return to the Power Poll. Again. (My vote: NR)
9. John Morrison (NR)
How this guy didn’t get on the Power Poll last week is beyond me. Utilizing his Parkour Training in his matches is starting to get the Shaman of Sexy noticed on Monday nights. (My vote: 6)
10. Sheamus (8)
The Fellabration is just about over for Sheamus as he’s dangerously close to dropping off of the list. He’ll get his chance to redeem himself in two weeks as he challenges Randy Orton in a Hell In A Cell.
Dropped out: The Undertaker, Roderick Strong, Chris Jericho
Others voted on my me: Jay Lethal (5), Kurt Angle (7), Drew McIntyre (10)
The Power Poll is a weekly top 10 ranking of wrestlers as voted by members of these wondeful sites: BoredWrestlingFan.com, Future Endeavors, Hit the Ropes, NoVaWPodcast, Oh My WrestleBlog, Online World of Wrestling, PIZZABODYSLAM, Pro Wrestling Ponderings, Project Wonderboy, Ringside Rants, Smark Out Moment, The Superplex, The Wrestling Blog, WrestlingAdikt.com, WrestleRage.com and Wrestlespective. If you have a wrestling site and are interested in becoming a voter, e-mail wrestlespective (at) gmail.com.
Power Poll 8/11/10: Better late than never edition
1. The Miz (5)
The United States Champion nearly took Evan Bourne’s head off, then convinced John Cena and Bret Hart to tell him that they need him. Mr. Money In The Bank returns to the number one slot on the Power Poll because he’s The Miz, and he’s AWESOME!
2. John Cena (4)
John Cena managed to even out the playing field with The Nexus this week with the return of Edge and Chris Jericho to Team WWE.
3. Rob Van Dam (8)
Mr. Pay Per View proved it in a hell of a match with longtime ECW rival Sabu at HardCORE Justice. Rob Van Dam carries the TNA World Heavyweight Championship back up the rankings with him this week.
4. Sheamus (3)
The Fellabration continues, although the WWE Champion slips to number 4 in this week’s Power Poll after being shown up by Randy Orton. Destroying the NXT Rookies probably prevented him from slipping further.
5. Randy Orton (1)
Meanwhile, the number one contender drops from the number one spot in our poll. Running Sheamus off doesn’t help The Viper stay at the top.
6. Kane (2)
The lowest ranked World Champion this week is the WWE World Heavyweight Champion Kane. Does Rey Mysterio’s accusation that Kane is behind The Undertaker’s attack have anything to do with The Big Red Monster’s dramatic drop this week?
7. Rey Mysterio (7)
Rey Mysterio may or may not be behind the attack on The Undertaker, but one thing’s for sure, he’s behind number 7 for a second straight week here in the Power Poll.
8. Chris Jericho (6)
After a run-in with The Nexus during RAW’s main event, Chris Jericho re-joined Team WWE. He also dropped two spots in the Power Poll. I’d say you’re either Nexus or you’re against us, but I don’t see Wade Barrett and Co. anywhere on this list.
9. Dolph Ziggler (NR)
To further prove that all you have to do to get yourself on the Power Poll is win a championship, Dolph Ziggler won the Intercontinental Championship on Friday Night, now finding himself ranked at number 9.
10. Edge (NR)
Returning to the list this week is another man who re-joined Team WWE after a brawl with The Nexus, The Rated R Superstar, Edge.
Well, I ignored iMPACT, slept through SmackDown, and wrote off RAW, so I guess that makes me perfectly qualified to vote in this week’s Power Poll. We have a new number one this week, and he is….
1. The Miz (3)
He may still have his Money In The Bank briefcase despite another attempt to cash it in, but The Miz impressed voters enough this week to catapult himself up two spots to number one – because he’s The Miz, and he’s AWESOME! (My vote: 5)
2. Randy Orton (4)
A take no prisoners week for the WWE’s Apex Predator, Orton defeated Jey Uso, RKO’d Sheamus, and then for good measure RKO’d The Miz as well. (My vote: 1)
3. Sheamus (2)
The WWE Champion caught an RKO earlier on in the night, but picked up a tag team victory later in the night when his reluctant partner The Miz pinned John Cena. (My vote: 3)
4. Kane (1)
After RAW dominates the top three, SmackDown’s World Heavyweight Champion, Kane, takes his place on the Power Poll at number four. A promo to kick off the show and a no-sell of a Mysterio 619 keeps the Big Red World Champion from dropping any further. (My vote: 4)
5. Rey Mysterio (8)
Speaking of Mysterio, he climbs up the Power Poll after a victory over Jack Swagger in a two out of three falls match to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam. (My vote: NR)
6. Rob Van Dam (5)
Despite not doing anything of note (seriously – he’s not even mentioned in Drow’s iMPACT review), Rob Van Dam only drops one spot, and is in fact the only member of the TNA roster to be featured in this week’s poll. (My vote: 2)
7. John Cena (6)
Cena has been strong on the mic the last few weeks, including his show opening promo with Chris Jericho this week on RAW. Had Jericho not hit him with the Codebreaker and cost him their tag match, the former WWE Champion’s ranking would likely be much higher. (My vote: 6)
8. Chris Jericho (10)
Chris Jericho continues to climb the ranks of the Power Poll this week, having been an awesome foil to John Cena in both the opening segment and the closing matchup of RAW. (My vote: 7)
9. Big Show (NR)
Having fun at the expense of the Straight Edge Society, Big Show unmasked Joey Mercury, and unmasks his ability to be a top 10 player in sports entertainment after a couple weeks off the Poll. (My vote: 9)
10. Wade Barrett (7)
Evan Bourne is not even half the size of Mark Henry, so slamming him to the canvas is not nearly as impressive a feat. Barrett makes the top ten on the sheer fact that he’s the leader of The Nexus. (My vote: 10)
TNA’s “Victory Road” pay-per-view of 2008 took place in my city, Houston, Texas, and was a rather awesome show. “Victory Road” of 2009 was quite possibly the worst wrestling ppv in the history of wrestling ppvs, with the possible exception of “Halloween Havoc.” At which end of the ppv quality spectrum will the 2010 version of “Victory Road” prove to be? Find out for yourselves on the night of Sunday, July 11th. In the meantime, let’s take a look at what several of our Bored Wrestling Fans think! (more…)
Oh crap, it’s Friday night… and you know what that means. Yep, I work my night job and then come home and suffer through Smackdown so you don’t have to. It’s been a weird Friday already, especially in South Africa as Brazil got upset, and Ghana threw away a certain victory in the World Cup. While no one in North America really cares about that stuff, other than Kofi Kingston who hails from Ghana (for now), let’s just jump into the legitimate sport known as professional wrestling… (more…)
Alright, I’m up for commenting on the rankings this week. I haven’t done so the last couple of weeks because I’d been posting these without a lot of time to get in depth. Here we go!
1. Rey Mysterio (Last week: 4)
I ranked Mysterio 9th in my vote. Yeah, he won the World Heavyweight Championship at Fatal Four Way, but Kane got involved in the match, so I didn’t really find him winning the title to be an impressive feat. Win a match without outside interference, then we’ll talk.
2. Rob Van Dam (2)
RVD was my number one pick, and he wasn’t on TV this week. The fact that he’s number two overall on this list despite that fact says something about the push he’s gotten in TNA.
3. Sheamus (NR)
For the same reason that I ranked Mysterio number 9, I ranked Sheamus number 10. The NXT rookies destroying all of your opponents and you lucking out to avoid that fate before pinning John Cena, that’s not an impressive victory to me. Add in that you didn’t do anything impressive the next night in RAW, and I’m not sure how you managed third place this week in the Power Poll.
4. Kurt Angle (3)
Without even a mention on iMPACT this week, his win over Kazarian at Slammiversary must have impressed voters enough to allow Angle to stay strong in this week’s poll.
5. John Cena (1)
The former WWE Champion drops four spots this week – and he didn’t even make my personal list. I know John Cena is a big name with a lot of fans, but he didn’t impress me during the voting period. Maybe next week, Cenation.
6. The Miz (NR)
Winning the United States Championship on RAW last week wasn’t enough to put the Miz on the Power Poll, but retaining the title at Fatal Four Way sure did. Add in the fact that he assaulted Randy Orton on RAW, and The Miz made number four on my personal list. He definitely impressed the right people, and hopefully we’re seeing the start of a main event push for The Miz.
7. Abyss (NR)
Abyss turned on Hulk Hogan this week on iMPACT, after destroying Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam. This impressed me enough to place him number two on my personal list, and it sends him into the Power Poll this week.
8. Evan Bourne (NR)
Number 5 on my personal list, a win over Chris Jericho at Fatal Four Way and an impressive showing the following night on RAW sends Bourne flying into the top ten, hitting number 8. (My personal rank: 5)
9. Randy Orton (5)
Orton impressed despite not winning at Fatal Four Way, and his threat to the NXT rookies (before being speared by Edge) seems to have the Power Poll voters still clinging to Orton in their top ten lists. (My personal rank: 8)
10. Kofi Kingston (NR)
He may have been left lying by Drew McIntyre on SmackDown, but he retained his Intercontinental Championship at Fatal Four Way, which is enough to put Kofi Kingston back into the Power Poll. (My personal rank: 7)
Dropped out: Big Show, Jack Swagger, Bryan Danielson, C.M. Punk, Kane
Also receiving votes: Edge, Jack Swagger, C.M. Punk, Big Show, Bryan Danielson, Chris Jericho, Tyler Black, Samoa Joe, Ken Anderson, Jay Lethal, Kane
Participating sites:BoredWrestlingFan.com, Online World of Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Ponderings, Project Wonderboy, Ringside Rants, WrestleRage.com, Wrestlespective
The Power Poll is a weekly top 10 list ranking men’s singles wrestlers in WWE and TNA voted by wrestling writers. If you are interested becoming a voter, e-mail wrestlespective(at)gmail.com and include a link to your site.
