10 Wrestlers Who Changed WWE’s In-Ring Style
4. John Cena
John Cena changed the WWE Style through devolution.
Following the retirement of Steve Austin, and the indefinite hiatus of The Rock, WWE needed a new hero. And, with no competition forcing his hand, Vince McMahon reverted to type. Though Cena reached a level of fame by adopting the guise of a homophobic white rapper, he would maintain it by adopting (or adapting - it depends on your point of view) Hulk Hogan's psychological mode.
It is probably reductive to label Cena as a Hogan clone. He was far more capable of adapting his routine, especially when paired with an opponent with his own idiosyncratic style. His match with Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam 2013 was a triumph because it was a clash and sublimation of styles - a war for the heart of WWE, in microcosm.
But the essence remained the same. Cena would largely shrug off an elongated beatdown before making a miraculous comeback - a routine which made his opponents look idiotic and weak.
Honourable mention: In keeping with his parallel coronation, Batista also adopted the Hogan approach. It was one which created dissonance among the fandom. Children believed in it. Adults had seen it before. The latter would have to wait for WWE to catch up with their evolving tastes...