WWE’s chief content officer, Triple H, recently explained the secret behind John Cena‘s remarkable career success, emphasizing charisma over athletic ability. Cena is currently concluding his retirement tour, which will end this December at Saturday Night’s Main Event, marking the close of a legendary era in WWE.
During an appearance on the Nightcap podcast with NFL stars Shannon Sharpe and Chad Ochocinco on Friday, shortly before WWE announced plans related to WrestleMania 43, Triple H discussed what it takes to succeed as a WWE Superstar. He pointed out that pure athleticism isn’t the defining trait for greatness, using Cena, as well as the late Hulk Hogan, as prime examples of stars who thrived because of their connection with the audience.
“In our business sometimes, I can make you a list of the guys, Hulk Hogan, love him to death, biggest star of all time, not the most athletic guy on the planet, correct? You know, John Cena, not the most athletic guy on the planet. A lot of those guys, the list of people, they have incredible charisma, incredible crowd presence, incredible ability to control a crowd and tell a story, that’s more important. Charisma is king in our business,” Triple H said.
John Cena’s Career and the Impact of His Connection with Fans
Despite often being criticized with chants like “You can’t wrestle,” Cena has demonstrated the ability to perform compelling matches. More importantly, his focus has been on engaging fans emotionally through storytelling, making them invest in his matches beyond pure athleticism. This approach has contributed significantly to his enduring popularity and success within WWE.
Upcoming Final Bout Against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza
Following his defeat by Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam, John Cena was attacked by Brock Lesnar, who has since made appearances interfering in Cena’s matches. Their rivalry will culminate in one last confrontation at Wrestlepalooza, scheduled for September 20 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. This event will be the first Premium Live Event hosted under WWE’s new partnership with ESPN.
This match is among seven remaining stops in Cena’s farewell tour, which also includes appearances on WWE RAW in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Crown Jewel event in Australia, Survivor Series: WarGames in San Diego, and finally, the December showdown at Saturday Night’s Main Event.
The Broader Significance of Cena’s Career and Legacy
John Cena’s career exemplifies how charisma and storytelling can define success in WWE, sometimes more than athletic ability. As his retirement tour wraps up, his influence on the industry remains significant, setting a standard for future WWE Superstars. Fans and fellow wrestlers will be watching closely as he closes this chapter with high-profile matches, culminating in the December event that closes his iconic run.
