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Top 6 Choices To Replace John Cena as Top WWE Babyface

November 2, 2014 | Posted by Greg De Marco

For a decade, John Cena has been the top babyface around which the WWE is built. What if he were gone tomorrow? 411’s Greg DeMarco explores 6 potential replacements for the company’s top star.

Since the inception of the WrestleMania era, one principle has held true more than any other in the WWE: the top babyface. Hulk Hogan was used to usher in the Rock-n-Wrestling Era. Hogan’s departure lead to the ascension of Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels, neither of whom were able to recapture the magic of Hulkamania. The rise of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin brought about a new type of babyface, one that was soon joined by The Rock.

The modern-era WWE has been carried on the shoulders of one top babyface for the better part of the last decade—one where the company has become a global media giant, one where WrestleMania has truly become an event to the level of the NCAA Final Four, one where the WWE has finally set itself apart as an entertainment company and not a wrestling promotion.

That one babyface? John Cena.

As the WWE releases financial earnings that see a bigger due to the slower-than-expected response to the WWE Network and the cannibalization of pay-per-view revenue, an eerie feeling enters the hearts of the Internet Wrestling Community. That feeling is a fear that John Cena will once again be promoted above and beyond anything else in the WWE.

That fear is legitimate, because the WWE may do just that. John Cena is still the most recognizable WWE Superstar across the globe, and his merchandise continues to outsell every other WWE performer…combined. Focusing on John Cena, coupled with the continual return of novelty/part-time acts such as Hulk Hogan, The Rock, The Undertaker and current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar have, sadly, proven to be best…for…business.

But while the WWE has proven successful in fighting government regulation and litigation, market changes and consumer habits, they have two pieces of kryptonite that cannot be stopped.

Injury and time.

What if, either due to serious injury or a physical breakdown after years of wear and tear, John Cena is no longer an option for the WWE. What if the company is finally forced to place its future success on the shoulders of someone new? Who can bear that load? Who can grant the wishes of sick children all over the world? Who can lead the Susan G Komen charge? Who can take over as the face of the WWE?

Who?

That question is painfully difficult to answer. It takes far more than in-ring ability to be the top babyface of the company. There reality is that in-ring ability is merely a minimum expectation that has to be met. The face must be a good talker, possess a natural charisma that can’t be taught, be great around kids and families, and be willing to hit the road twice as hard as anyone else.

There are some candidates for us to explore, but before I do I need to make one very important point: simply trashing the formula will not work. Before you begin typing your comments asking “What do they need a #1 babyface?” remember that professional wrestling is a form of entertainment, and any form of entertainment’s success rests squarely on the shoulders of its top talent. You need “that one guy” to draw in the fans of all ages—not you or I, but the casual fans who need to be drawn in.

So just who are those candiates?

Sheamus

The Celtic Warrior is your current WWE United States Champion, and is honestly in the best position to take over the role of top babyface at a moment’s notice.

Sheamus is charismatic. He can cut a promo. He can work. He’s great with kids and families. He has several “hooks” that make him a larger than life character: his pale skin, his bright orange hair, his theme song, and his overuse of the word “Fella.” It may sound crazy, but those things are needed to draw in the customer who is still not 100% committed to sports entertainment. Sheamus has been promoted, and booked, to take over that spot.

And don’t think the WWE doesn’t know it, either. I can give you as solid of a guarantee as possible, without actually having confirmation, that the WWE keeps Sheamus in their back pocket just in case John Cena has to go away. It’s like having news without having a real source. Call it a “Meltzer guarantee.”

Roman Reigns

He has the look, the size and the natural charisma that the WWE loves. The fans give a great response whenever he shows up. Like it or not, Roman Reigns is already penciled in to take over the mantle from John Cena over the next two years.

Since going on his singles run, Reigns has been protected more than anyone not named John Cena or Sheamus. He’s been featured in the company’s “Fatherhood” campaign, and he’s likely to go on a major run once he returns from injury.

And let’s not forget that Roman Reigns is beating Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 31. Believe. That!

Sheamus and Reigns are admittedly the two easiest targets—the two that require the least amount of creativity. But I also have four more intriguing candidates that could surprise you.

Ryback

Size. Physique. Charisma. Catchphrase. Ryback has everything you’d expect from a Vince McMahon created main event level babyface. And based on his Raw return this past Monday, he’s got the fan support to back it up.

Turning Ryback heel was one of the worse WWE decisions of the past five years—and that’s saying a LOT! His injury and subsequent return provided the WWE with a mulligan, and they can now get a “do over” with Ryback. He was pushed too fast when he wasn’t ready (Hell In A Cell against CM Punk), but now “The Big Guy” is ready to shoulder the load and carry the torch for the WWE.

Dean Ambrose

The WWE’s resident “Rebel Without A Cause” is the perfect combination of Steve Austin and James Dean, with a little Brian Pillman thrown in. He’s a crazed individual, a lunatic even, and the people love it.

Dean Ambrose has gotten away with a lot since the break-up of The Shield, citing the former cruiserweight division and pointing out that the WWE uses independent workers as both cops and Rosebuds—and often the same workers!

The biggest reasons why Ambrose is on this list could also be the biggest factors that hold him back. He’s different and he brings about change. Dean Ambrose has proven himself ready to take over the mantle of top babyface. But is the WWE ready for Dean Ambrose to do that?

Randy Orton

Look, it’s possible, but Orton himself doesn’t even want it!

Amen to that RT @Venemous__: I never want @RandyOrton to turn face… It doesn't suit him…

— Randy Orton (@RandyOrton) October 31, 2014

Cody Rhodes/Stardust

I insinuated the WWE isn’t ready for Dean Ambrose and his antics to be the company’s top face, could they possibly be ready for Stardust? I’ve always felt like Cody was better as a heel, but as Stardust (despite being a heel now) he could be very marketable, and very over, as a face. The cosmic key is no different than anything The Ultimate Warrior used to say (although that was a different era), and his promos are no “smarter” than anything John Cena typically says when he’s not inspired by Denzel Washington.

It’s an outside-the-box idea, as Stardust doesn’t have the size that the top babyface usually has, but Cody’s natural charisma and ability to connect with the audience has placed him above most of his midcard colleagues for years now.

Don’t sleep on Cody Rhodes/Stardust as a potential new top babyface if the WWE needed one.

You Decide: If John Cena were removed from the WWE roster, who should take over as the company’s top babyface?

Greg DeMarco is a wrestling fan of over 30 years and has also worked on the independent circuit as a promoter, announcer, character and booker. Greg a weekly contributor at 411Mania.com, applying his opinionated style to the world of pro wrestling on Sundays and Thursdays.

He began writing for 411Mania in October 2010 and has been pissing readers off ever since!

Greg’s latest series of must read articles at 411Mania.com:
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