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[Editor's Note: As part of the new hiring process, here is the first new columnist on board. Christina Freeman, a long time wrestling fan and romance novelist].

Confidence or Arrogance?
Why John Cena isn’t as Good as He Thinks He is
By Christina Freeman

Is it arrogance or confidence that makes a man outfit himself in a logo of one of the best professional wrestling federations to ever exist, replacing all the key parts with his own image? Is it arrogance or confidence that forces that man to return to the ring well before he is ready to contribute fully? Is it arrogance or confidence that makes him believe he deserves the spot he has within his profession? What is the true motivation for John Cena, confidence or arrogance?

When asked about his new shirt design via conference call this was Cena’s response, “That was completely an idea that I’d been messing around with for a bit and I just wanted to get it right. . . . And I try to put it on the shirts because that’s what people buy. That’s what people relate to you when they see you on television. And that’s how I conduct my life. I’ve always tried to work my butt off, respect everybody, respect me and be loyal to those who are backing your play. So, you know, it is a cool t-shirt. And if you look at it, it is a rendition of the AWA logo, but … with that shirt and with all my other stuff, I really try to send what I consider as a positive message out to anybody buying stuff.”

This seems to be a rather casual view of something that holds so much historical precedence within the world of professional wrestling. The audacity to wear the AWA logo replacing its simple majesty with a catch phrase that lacks originality and weight is pure arrogance. It almost feels as if he believes that all that came before him is just now finding its stride with him. This implies that John Cena holds himself in such high regard that he not only deserves to wear the AWA logo making himself the embodiment of a generation of amazing professional wrestlers the likes of which this world will never see again, but also that he deserves to refine it. This gesture treads heavily into the realm of out and out disrespect, if for no other reason than his lack of understanding that it is not truly an homage but a lack of honest consideration. The irony of the words Hustle Loyalty, Respect being the reference on this new statement made by Cena holds no merit broadcast in such a fashion. True respect stems from actual respect. Actual respect dictates that at no point and time does a man who has only been wrestling for less than a decade desecrate an icon that literally has the blood of legendary performers on it.

“I certainly hope that John Cena is physically 100% come this Sunday in his “hometown” of Boston for the Survivor Series”, was blogged by Jim Ross just days prior to the WWE pay per view event. It has been highly speculated that John Cena has made not one but two preemptive returns during his career. The first after his torn pectoral a couple of October’s ago. The burden of returning much too soon was felt quickly as his already questionable ring mechanics went from shoddy to worse. Cena is a freakishly strong man and has compensated his lack of finesse with brute strength. By the pay per view following his first return, it was obvious that Cena needed at least another month or so on the shelf to prevent not only further injury to himself but to others as well. The second more recent return, which is the injury JR is referencing, is from a neck injury that caused numbness in one arm. Another deterrent to his strength based ring mechanics. With the weeks and weeks of highly publicized lead up to his return for Survivor Series, the pay per view will go down in history as having the lowest buy rate of any Survivor Series. This completely nullifies the belief that the wrestling world is bereft, lost in a world without John Cena. A belief that the WWE has tried to instill as law. But is this a belief that is held by all, some, or just by Cena alone?

The points in favor of Cena being the man that the he wants to be and believes he is are easy to list. He is a physically impressive specimen, highly athletic with a great energy, look and feel to him. Make no mistake John Cena has more charisma in his pinky finger than most mortal men. He in fact has a fair amount more than any of his contemporaries or his current counterparts. But does charisma a champion make? Should the image be more important than the mechanics? “He’s not exactly a ring technician but the fans love him. When he asked me how he was I asked him if he wanted the truth. He said yeah and I said, well you suck. But he took it well and asked me to help him improve.” As stated by Triple H on the King of Kings DVD when asked about John Cena. Truly has there been a vast improvement on Cena’s part? Or has he resolved himself to letting his status in the company and his persona alone win him favor? The facts about John Cena ring through, he’s a hard worker who loves professional wrestling yet has never been truly bothered to tighten up his ring mechanics. He will shamelessly self promote without much regard for anything other than the level of self-promotion he attains. This is just another nail in the coffin sealing his fate in unwavering arrogance instead of healthy confidence.

A confident John Cena would be a different beast. He wouldn’t feel the need to piggy back the vaulted AWA legacy to establish his own. Instead he would create an image that would stand alone without need or benefit of focusing nostalgic ideas to his favor. This Cena would be assured that he was important enough to the hierarchy of the organization that it wouldn’t matter if he missed one month or 12, he would still be a vibrantly vital part of the company as any other top rated performer. A confident Cena would work tirelessly not only to gain the support of the fans, but of his peers showing his true respect for what this profession has been and what it can one day become through refined technique instead of showboating. Because with that, the other side of fans that can’t stand him, would at least respect him.

John Cena has all the tools, all the capacity and all the incentive to be great, because in many ways, he already is. If only he could see it too and start acting confidently instead of arrogantly.