10 Most Over Wrestlers In WWE Today

1. John Cena

roman reigns
WWE.com

John Cena is still the biggest star WWE has at its disposal.

With the one-off exception of Jinder Mahal, only Cena can pop a TV rating, even if it's microscopic. House show attendance dwindles in his absence. His merchandise still sells in record numbers, and that's because Cena has and will never lose "it".

He's the divisive figurehead for a divided audience. Kids, categorically, adore him. Adults, slowly, are becoming more receptive to him because even though his positioning is clunky, even if his STF looks as weak as Michael Cole sounds, he can structure a wrestling match that, for better or worse, maximises crowd reaction in an age where the false finish rules over all.

Ironically, you can see through Cena. His selling is inconsistent, his repertoire safe-looking. This just adds to his myth as a polarising performer who inspires every feeling imaginable, with the sole exception of apathy. You might see Cena "steal the damn show," as he did at this year's Royal Rumble with AJ Styles. You might see him plainly not take seriously an undercard act he perceives as not on his level, as he at this year's WrestleMania with The Miz.

You're going to see something of consequence, or at least of note. That's why he is (and is received as) essentially the only measurable draw in the WWE of 2017, where the brand itself is king.

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Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!