-- 10/23 Question of the Day Reax: Would Brock Lesnar would have become a bigger star for WWE than John Cena if he stayed with the company?

Kryptik of Jersey City, N.J.: As far as Brock being a bigger star than Cena if he stuck around in WWE, I think it has to be approached two ways. Firstly, did he have the potential to be a bigger star? Most decidedly the answer is yes. He was arguably bigger star at his high point than Cena is currently, simply due to the fact that pro wrestling as a mainstream business has contracted since Brock's time. On top of that, Brock had a rare combination of sheer physical presence, in-ring charisma, and superior athletic ability that you just don't see very often. The fact that he was a star instantly within his first year is a testament to that. However, that's only his potential. Would he have become a bigger star than John Cena, if they remained contemporaries? My answer to that question is a resounding no. Despite the potential, there's one thing that separates John Cena from Brock Lesnar, and that's something Cena fans and haters have to agree upon: dedication to the business. Cena is simply more dedicated to the business compared to most WWE stars. That arguably is the biggest reason he's the top guy for the company. That's the real core here. John Cena is a sports entertaininer, through and through. Brock Lesnar is an athlete, and arguably, has come out for the better in the long run.

Mike, Torch reader: I do think Brock would have become a bigger star. He was kind of like a Sheamus in how fast he got to the top.

Darren of Roseville, Calif.: This is a toss up to me. On one hand is Cena, who has become the face of WWE. His merchandise sells like hot cakes, children dig him due to the "loyalty, hustle, respect," and he personifies PG programming. If Brock Lesnar were in the picture, he would probably still have Paul Heyman as his manager to make him the biggest heel in wrestling selling the product.

Dominic Rodriguez of Denver, Col.: Brock is/was a bigger star then John Cena. (NOT including anything other than WWE). He was enigmatic and the only true monster in the 2000-2010 decade. He headlined WrestleMania 19. Has had impressive victories, feuds, and classic matches with the likes of Austin, Rock, Hogan, Big Show, Undertaker, Mysterio, Guerrero, Edge, Goldberg, Angle, etc., World Title reigns, and he was a King of the Ring winner. Bottom line is he accomplished everything he could in WWE, so it was best to go out on top. If he returned today, he would get more heat or a bigger pop then anyone I can imagine. As of right now, Brock Lesnar is, in my opinion, still a bigger WWE draw then John Cena.

Josh Hansen of West Hollywood, Calif., writer. Brock Lesnar, despite his size and skill in whichever ring he decides to step into, would not have eclipsed the John Cena level of popularity in WWE. Even neglecting that Brock doesn't have half the mic skills Cena has, he also isn't the "company man" that Cena strives to be. While Brock would have remained a perennial main eventer, he simply does not have the kind of personality once the cameras go off to be the symbol of WWE that is John Cena. Maybe WWE would have hung on to more of the style of fan that Brock Lesnar attracts, but I don't think it could have been a situation that prevented or delayed the PG/Cena era. I see a 2010 WWE Lesnar in a position similar to (minus the mic skills) Jericho, Angle, or Michaels - a fantastic worker with a large fanbase, but not the mainstream face of the company. No doubt, Lesnar would still be a huge star in WWE, but does anyone really imagine him on the Kids Choice Awards?

Steve of Troy, Ohio: Personally, I feel that right now, Lesnar is the bigger star than Cena in mainstream America. If you polled 50 people that aren't avid MMA fans as to who do they think of when they think UFC, I'm positive Lesnar would be the resounding answer. Reverse the question, I don't think Cena would get the same response for who people think of from WWE. With that being said, there's no way Lesnar would achieve Cena's level of stardom in WWE. Lesnar's personality doesn't lend to be the same "for all ages" type that Cena has. Lesnar as a face always seemed forced, and with the lack of public/media attention, there's just no way he would be WWE's media darling Cena has become. Even going the "anti-hero" route just wouldn't get him over to that point. Lesnar is what he is: a no frills, fierce competitor that regardless of whatever gimmick was tossed at him still tended to shine through. I really think that would have held him back in today's WWE.

[Torch photo credit Wade Keller (c) PWTorch.com]

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