How WWE Has FINALLY Solved Its Babyface Problem
How a deliberately uncool Riddle is better than an accidentally lame Seth Rollins.
WWE has failed emphatically to build a top-level babyface to replace John Cena.
WWE has failed emphatically to build a top-level babyface to replace John Cena because Vince McMahon is under the impression that they should all be John Cena, whether they possess his generational charisma or not.
John Cena played the master of ceremonies and the host of the show. He buried his opponents with scathing "fine speech" missives and jabbed them with weak, child-friendly insults. He riffed on Star Wars and internet culture and had a troubling habit of comparing his foes to women years after the PG Era prohibited his virulent homophobia. He didn't take anything seriously. The Miz, rising midcard star? Barely even made it halfway through his cut-off. Roman Reigns, fiercely protected top heel? Lifeless detriment to a company in decline. Bray Wyatt, formidable psychological manipulator? Fat bloke who'd look even uglier, if you stuck him in a dress!
Cena's material was rancid, but the kids loved his schtick and his sheer megastar personality punted it over the line, insofar as drawing a booming reaction at least. Cena's successors don't possess his generational charisma, because it's generational.
And so one arrives at Roman Reigns reading winking fairytales to the kiddies. At Seth Rollins impersonating a caveman to mock Brock Lesnar. At Drew McIntyre regaling the crowd for minutes on end, cutting the de rigueur tron gags and recapping in slow painful detail the sh*t you've literally just seen. At every last one of his successors welcoming you all to Monday Night RAW!
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