WWE Buy Or Sell: John Cena Is The Greatest Of All Time

The “Greatest of All Time” is a title given in sports by fans to say the likes of Michael Jordan or even Tom Brady.  In the world of professional wrestling, it is not quite that clear cut, but if there were a front runner in the discussion in WWE, his name would be John Cena.

You cannot talk about John Cena without mentioning the big splash he made in his debut versus Kurt Angle.  While the match was tightly contested, what fans still remember to this day is the words “Ruthless Aggression” followed by the slap heard around the world.

While there were some bumps in the road in the next couple years, his previously mentioned debut is what made him a household name.  Over the next few years The Doctor of Thuganomics character would solidify Cena’s spot on the card, but it was his transition to the Leader of the Cenation that would make Cena the face of the company for well over a decade.

In the time that Cena has been the face of the WWE, the one facet that Cena holds over every superstar he has shared a ring with is his ability to cut any type of promo necessary for the occasion.  Simply put, Cena is the Greatest of All Time on the microphone.

What about The Rock?

The Rock had comedy and charisma that made him extremely entertaining when he held a microphone, but can you say he was able to cut as convincing of a promo when the occasion did not require those skill sets?  Cena has been funny, charismatic, angry, and even self doubting when the occasion required it.

Cena has been the loyal soldier to WWE during good times and bad, and has been a hero to the younger fans of the WWE Universe.

“You know that sounds a lot like Hulk Hogan, brother.”

Yes, you cannot forget about the Hulkster in this discussion.  Hogan dominated the mainstream wrestling landscape from the 80’s into the 90’s.

Hogan was an all time great when it came to working the camera and getting his message through to viewers’ living rooms, but to his own admission was limited in the ring.  During Ric Flair’s 30 for 30 film that premiered last year, Hogan even referenced Flair as the greatest ever.

So that’s it!  Flair is the greatest ever, right?

When comparing wrestlers of different generations every element must be considered.  John Cena during his time at the top of WWE was required to wrestle more dates per year than Hogan or Flair were during any year in their respective careers.

The reason for that is wrestling has evolved over the past 30 years, and therefore the obligations for top booked wrestlers have become more labor intensive.  That is not to discount or discredit what Hogan and Flair have done for the wrestling business, because they are in fact mainstream wrestling forefathers.

Just like the forefathers of the United States of America, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson did not have the same presidential responsibilities as anyone who took the oval office from the 20th century on.  The world has evolved since then, but that does not mean that the groundwork that they laid will not be celebrated.

Just like Hogan and Flair, who laid the groundwork for a superstar like Cena, they will continue to be celebrated.  Yet, the comparisons of the media obligations and work schedule between Hogan and Flair to a top level superstar now are not even close.

Cena has outlasted every major superstar’s  “top guy” run with one company.  That list includes the likes of Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Shawn Michaels, and Bret Hart.

This is why I am BUYING that John Cena is the Greatest of All Time.  Defining the G.O.A.T. for me is simply who was the greatest all around performer, in the biggest spots, with the highest level of difficulty, and for the longest period of time.

Cena has had many five star feuds with superstars of different eras.  No other performer can claim that they have had great feuds with Angle, Batista, JBL, and Edge, then also claim that they had equally of great feuds with AJ Styles, Kevin Owens, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins.

If that is not enough, to further prove Cena’s tireless work ethic, take a look at his Make-A-Wish resume.  In 2015 Cena granted his 500th wish, which is far and away tops in the foundation’s history.

Even more recently at WWE Royal Rumble 2017, Cena following his victory over AJ Styles for the WWE Championship (tying Ric Flair’s record) celebrated with a Make-A-Wish child.  Cena not only gave a lasting memory on that night, but despite his hectic work schedule still finds time to give children the belief to keep fighting and “Never Give Up”.

Is Cena the greatest pure wrestler to ever step into a ring?  No, but in the world of professional wrestling which includes heroes, villains, fiction, non-fiction, demons, lunatics, and “sexy cops”, there is much more to judge a superstar on.

Next: What's Next For Zayn And Owens

John Cena is a four star wrestler, who cuts five star promos, and has a six star work ethic, and for that reason he is the Greatest of All Time.