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Old 01-07-2018, 06:59 PM   #54
Outsider
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I think there are a number of factors which have led to less fan issues with Cena over the last few years.

1. Addressing the criticism - We've seen lots of promos in the last couple of years which have seen Cena's opponents openly criticising him for keeping other people down, being a corporate stooge etc. By doing this Cena has actually been able to address this and talk about how much he's gone out and busted his ass etc etc. Doing this means the WWE has been able to openly critique Cena and obviously as a face the intention is for this argument to fall on the sympathetic side to him. Cena also seems to have more room with promos himself, drawing on real life which plays to those Smarter fans who hated him the most.

2. Less Cena - Fans got sick of seeing him in the main event, crushing everyone (who then frequently faded into obscurity) but as he's become a part-timer, he isn't on TV every week and therefore it is much harder to get sick of him. He's also lost a fair few more times recently which again, prevents that fatigue and makes him a bigger attraction as a result.

3. Roman Reigns - Every issue you could complain about with Cena in the late 2000 and early 2010s can be leveled at Reigns, except without the charisma. If fans are going to hate Reigns for these issues, Cena seems comparatively less problematic. Basically, Reigns is worse than Cena in fans mind so he draws the heat instead.

Combine this with Cena being able to show himself in the ring on a couple of occasions and it just means the hate has been able to move away from Cena.

I think he will always be booed to an extent, but it is becoming more out of nostalgia in a 'You Suck'/Kurt Angle way.
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