WWE Hall of Fame member Bret \”The Hitman\” Hart recently shared his thoughts on
John Cena\’s unexpected transformation from a fan-favorite to a villainous character
on \”
The Ariel Helwani Show
Hart explained his thoughts on why certain wrestlers struggle to come across as believable villains, despite being excellent performers in the ring.
“I didn’t witness it myself; instead, I learned about it through hearsay and found it quite surprising because… some wrestlers simply aren\’t suited for turning into heels based on their personas and wrestling styles. Personally, I felt that the British Bulldog wasn\’t particularly effective as a villain. Despite being an excellent performer overall, when he switched sides, he continued executing moves like press slams and power slams, sticking mainly to his usual tough-guy routine without altering his approach significantly—except perhaps in terms of demeanor.”
Hart, a five-time WWE Champion, discussed what qualities make an effective villain in wrestling. He believes Cena could face similar challenges that wrestlers such as British Bulldog encountered.
Hart stated, “Heels should be cunning and sly enough to provoke the audience’s anger. It demands a specific type of talent… Even though he [Cena] has his look and style, expect power slams and powerful moves from him. I don’t envision him resorting to underhanded tactics like grabbing trunks to secure victory, or using dirty tricks such as choking opponents or poking out their eyes.”
\”H The Hitman\” also pointed out Lex Luger as someone who excelled more as a hero than as an antagonist. Despite Luger’s intimidating physique and powerful maneuvers, Hart believed these attributes made it difficult for audiences to genuinely dislike him during his time as a villain.
As Cena begins this fresh chapter, he moves forward.
the path leading up to his bout with Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41
Hart’s ideas prompt us to question whether the 16-time world champion can portray a believable villain that contemporary audiences will accept.
When citing any quotations from this piece, ensure you attribute them to the \”Ariel Helwani Show\” and offer recognition to Wrestling Inc. for providing the transcript.
Read more:
Odd Facts About John Cena That Everybody Overlooks
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