Jeremy Padawer, VP of Marketing at Jakks Pacific posted the following response on his blog to the fan reaction surrounding just announced John Cena Classic Superstars figure coming in 2009.

John Cena - Classic Superstar

I expected to see mixed emotions regarding John Cena as a Classic Superstar.

Consider this…

HHH made his WWE debut in 1995. HHH Classic Superstar was shipped in 2003. 8 years.

Cena made his WWE debut in 2002. Cena Classic Superstar will ship in 2009. 7 years.

I would have waited until 2010 for absolute parity, but those are the breaks.

From Series #1, we established that Classic Superstars include current roster superstars who have achieved legendary status. Whether you like it or not… whether you admit it or not… John Cena is a legend of wrestling. Cena is not on the cusp. Cena IS today a legend. If Cena retired and never wrestled again, would he not make a top-100 wrestlers list? Top-50? Top-20? Yes… Yes… Maybe. Boo Cena at Mania. Boo Cena in your local venue. Heck, I might boo along with you. Just note that when you are booing, you are booing one of the most celebrated (and, as a result, hated) WWE Superstars in the history of the game.

Now… don’t get me wrong…

John Cena is no Hulk Hogan. There is no other Hogan. There can’t be. Hogan was the first superstar of OUR generation who brought wrestling to a national level. Don’t get me wrong - I understand the history of wrestling well enough to know that the late 19th century through the mid 1940’s saw wrestling stand side by side with boxing. If you doubt that, look at some of the old RING Magazines. Grapplers and boxers side by side. Totally legit.

Hogan and Vince made wrestling in the 1980’s and we feel the echo effect of that today. Today, WWE has done a good job at establishing themselves as a company of many superstars with a few who stand out at the premiere level. The 1980’s were full of colorful, memorable superstars with Hogan in front of the pack (especially in the 1983-1986 timeframe).

RVD, Cena, Trish are today what Undertaker, HHH and HBK were in 2003. Legends.

For those of you who collect all of the CS figures and cringe at the idea of Cena in the mix, I recommend the following:

1. Buy a WrestleMania II Official Scale Cage (Released in 2006)
2. Place the 2009 release John Cena figure in the middle of the ring.
3. Bring out the 1980s roster of Classic Superstar figures to stand around the ring just in case Cena escapes.
4. Grab a bottle of ketchup because it’s going to get ugly in there.
5. Give Abdullah CS a fork.
6. Irritate One Man Gang and King Kong Bundy by withholding food.
7. Hand Hacksaw a 2X4.
8. Cena vs 1980’s hungry OMG, KKB, ATB and Hacksaw with weapon.

In all seriousness…

1980’s were defined by Hogan and Flair

1990’s were defined by Rock and Austin

2000’s were defined by Cena and Mysterio

It’s true.

Oh it’s d**n true.

:-)

Jeremy Padawer

PS - To all of you Taker fans who are not thrilled that he isn’t listed as a decade defining superstar, don’t worry… he hasn’t hit is peak yet.  Taker will define 2020… 34 straight Mania victories.