Before John Cena became the wrestling megastar who won a record-tying 16 World Championships, he had a brief stint on the independent scene and then as part of WWE’s Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental territory.
The original gimmick John Cena adapted was a far cry from the jorts-wearing Doctor Of Thuganomics the WWE Universe came to know and love. Known as The Prototype, he had a crewcut and he would use robotic mannerisms while calling fans “humanoids”.
However, while training in OVW, Cena’s natural charisma began to shine through, and it wasn’t long before he was called up to the main roster and later revealed his rapping skills, transforming into the John Cena we know today.
Matt Hardy recalls criticism of John Cena’s original gimmick
Speaking on his podcast, The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy, the tag team veteran recalled John Cena’s Prototype gimmick receiving criticism when he visited the main roster.
“I remember when he would come, whenever we were on the west coast, and whenever they would come to TV, I remember a lot of people were critical of his gimmick.
“I feel like in the office, that is one thing I remember. They, you know, I love this guy, he’s got a great look. And I know Vince. When Vince saw him, he had to fall in love with them, you know, because Vince is a real man’s man. And you’ve got someone who works out and bust his ass, and he has this incredible physique.
“Little did they know he had all this incredible personality, you know, because he was playing a robot that was very ‘Hi, I am the prototype.’ But no, I think John had an amazing look, a killer physique. I feel like they really wanted him to adapt some other type of personality.”
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