I'm late to the party here, and as great as heel turn it was it is nowhere near Bash At The Beach '96 level IMO. That had people launching rubbish into the ring and returning Hogan merchandise. I agree Cena's facial expressions and Rock's hand gestures were incredible, you can see why those two have had such success in Hollywood. No random rapper at Daytona either! The turn also gave WCW a gap lead on the ratings which as proven recently is an incredible feat.
May just be me though, as I hold the Ruthless Aggressive Era in a really low regard and Cena was the face of that time. I thought they should have turned him back then as I couldn't stand the cheesie 80s era face, as you may have noticed with my view on Cody! It was also absolutely clear that Cena had the ability to be a great heel and perhaps turn back to a face later on like The Rock, and recently Roman. I then found out his merch sales and his Make A Wish work, which puts him in the hall of fame of great people and fully understood why a heel turn wasn't to be. Do wonder where the turn leaves Make A Wish?
My wrestling Mount Rushmore is Flair, Hogan, Austin and The Rock. If Cena was in a different era perhaps he would be there instead, hopefully at Hogan's expense!
The strange thing is as a part-timer he's was finally getting the cheers he deserves! I think as a full timer he was averaging over 300 matches a year, then you factor in the media work and charity work. The bloke's a machine. I guess that helped with the shock factor with turning him heel this time, it was less expected and Cody's been getting a mixed reaction.
The turn makes Cody V Cena a lot more interesting, but not the turn isn't Hogan level IMO.
Last year's 'mania was one of the best ever. There's a genuine chance they top it!
Yeah, it was an awesome angle and turn, but when you consider Cena's current status with Hogans at the time it's far less shocking and much less of a risk.
Once it was clear the Rock and Cody were coming out after the chamber I assumed the winner would be aligning with the Rock, but thought there was more storyline reason (and hints) for it to be Punk. However, as moments go, going with Cena is huge. I'd assume he has to win the title at Mania and there be a lengthy chase as well, before probably switching back face at the end of his run this year.
Really fun ppv in general, and I thought the first chamber match was easily the best women's one they've done too.
Also, the "unsanctioned" match was fantastic in its own right, you have to feel a bit bad for Owens/Zayn that they put their bodies through that and absolutely no one is talking about it because of the main event.
Which yes is the nature of the business but still...
Prime example of story meaning more than a five star match.
Comments
Yeah, it was an awesome angle and turn, but when you consider Cena's current status with Hogans at the time it's far less shocking and much less of a risk.
Once it was clear the Rock and Cody were coming out after the chamber I assumed the winner would be aligning with the Rock, but thought there was more storyline reason (and hints) for it to be Punk. However, as moments go, going with Cena is huge. I'd assume he has to win the title at Mania and there be a lengthy chase as well, before probably switching back face at the end of his run this year.
Really fun ppv in general, and I thought the first chamber match was easily the best women's one they've done too.