Can Cena “three-peat” as Superstar of the Year?

John Cena is one of the biggest,
brightest and most controversial Superstars in WWE history. Alternately beloved
and booed, the multi-time champion’s in-ring accomplishments command respect
and place him among the all-time greats. But is he the Superstar of 2011?

Cena received recognition at both
the 2009 and 2010 Slammy Awards, winning perhaps the most prestigious award of
them all: Superstar of the Year. Now, he goes for an unprecedented “three-peat”
when the 2011 Slammy Awards come to Raw SuperShow this Monday at a special
start time of 8/7 CT. A Superstar of the Year hat trick seems improbable, but
if anyone is accustomed to overcoming stacked odds, it’s The Cenation
Commander-in-Chief. (VOTE NOW)

2011 has been a tumultuous year
for John Cena, with high highs and low lows. He won the WWE Championship on
several occasions and competed in all the big events, at all the big venues,
against all of WWE’s biggest talents. But he also played second fiddle to The
Rock at Survivor Series (before getting Rock Bottomed), failed to defeat The
Miz at WrestleMania XXVII, watched the meteoric rise of his loquacious rival CM
Punk and gets jeered now more than ever.

A "three-peat" will also be difficult
because other WWE luminaries like Punk, The Miz, Alberto Del Rio and Mark Henry
are worthy of Superstar of the Year in their own right. The competition for the
honor is always rugged, but especially so this year against two current World
Champions and several top contenders.

Whether or not he is crowned Superstar
of 2011, Cena will continue to “Rise Above Hate.” After all, he has beaten long
odds before. Just last year he was named Superstar of 2010 and, in 2009, he won
the tournament to claim Superstar of the Year honors. A third Slammy Award is
another item for the trophy case, another impressive line in his biography, another
measure of approval. It may not curtail the recently overwhelming boos of the
WWE Universe, but if anyone is up to the task of winning hearts, minds and
Slammy Awards, it’s the tenacious, indomitable John Cena.

Tune in to the 2011 Slammy Awards this Monday at
a special start time of 8/7 CT to see if the Cenation leader achieves an
astonishing three-peat, and be sure to VOTE NOW to make your voice heard.

"Eck's Factor": Weekly analysis for Dec. 9, 2011

Here are my takes on the noteworthy developments in WWE over the past week:

Talking point: Zack Ryder has a big night on Raw

Eck’s Factor: Everyone’s favorite “broski” sure has come a long way. It wasn’t all that long ago that he couldn’t even get on TV. On this past Monday’s Raw, not only was Ryder all over the program, but he defeated World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry (with a big assist from John Cena), wrestled a competitive match against Cena before ultimately losing, and hit his finisher on arch rival Dolph Ziggler after Ziggler’s match against Sheamus.

The thread throughout the show of Ryder having to overcome major obstacles to get another U.S. Title shot against Ziggler – which put his friendship with Cena to the test – told a good story and made Ryder look like a star. I did have a couple issues with it, however. For one, I wasn’t thrilled about Ryder getting a pinfall victory over Henry, who has been effectively built up a monster heel. Despite the fact that Henry was selling an ankle injury and Ryder needed Cena’s help to win, I think the loss weakened Henry’s aura. I also think that WWE needs to be careful not to overexpose Ryder. The WWE Universe clearly likes Ryder and wants to see him, but they may not want to see him quite as much as they did Monday night.

Talking point: John Cena gives up his spot in the TLC Triple Threat Match for the WWE Title

Eck’s Factor: After John Laurinaitis went back on his original decision and gave Cena an opportunity to earn a spot in the TLC main event, I think everyone assumed it was a foregone conclusion that Cena would be in the match. When Raw ended Monday night, however, Cena was on the outside looking in. After defeating Zack Ryder to qualify for the WWE Title Match at TLC, Cena voluntarily gave up his place in the match so that Ryder could have another opportunity to earn a U.S. Title shot. So as it stands now, Cena is not booked on the Dec. 18 TLC pay-per-view. Unless there is a twist on this Monday’s Raw and Cena somehow ends up regaining a spot in the match – which currently is a Triple Threat between WWE Champion CM Punk, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio – I don’t see a logical opponent for him at TLC. Interesting. On a side note, I thought Cena did a great job of giving a rub to Ryder on Raw. From wearing Ryder’s merchandise to giving him so much offense in their match, Cena was very generous.

Talking point: CM Punk puts an exclamation point on contract signing

Eck’s Factor: As Punk rightfully pointed out on Raw Monday night, contract signings are one of the biggest clichés in WWE. Leave it to Punk to make the contract signing for his WWE Title defense against The Miz and Alberto Del Rio in a TLC Match the most entertaining segment on the show. I loved how Punk noted that all contract signings have to end in a pier six brawl (a term he got trending on Twitter), and then he not only initiated the attack against the two heels, but he took them both out. John Laurinaitis wishing John Morrison well in his future endeavors during the segment and then asking the three competitors to join him in a photo op after the contract was signed were nice touches, as well.

Talking point: John Cena vs. Mark Henry match announced for next week’s Raw

Eck’s Factor: Now this is a match I’m really looking forward to. Cena-Henry is a WrestleMania-worthy main event that pits WWE’s biggest star against the company’s top heel. It certainly makes Monday’s three-hour special Slammys episode of Raw feel extra special.

Talking point: Dolph Ziggler takes another step toward main event status

Eck’s Factor: Sure, Ziggler was the only one of the three Superstars who needed to win a qualifying match on Monday’s Raw in order to land a spot in the TLC Match for the WWE Title to be unsuccessful, but just being in the mix elevated him. During the opening promo segment, Ziggler was standing alongside John Cena, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio, and he definitely looked like he belonged. It’s apparent that Ziggler’s mic skills and overall presence are finally catching up to his outstanding in-ring ability.

Talking point: Video package for WWE Network airs

Eck’s Factor: Growing up in the ’70s, I looked forward all week to Saturdays because that was when WWE’s two syndicated shows aired. “All-Star Wrestling” came on at 11 a.m. and “Championship Wrestling” was on at 4 p.m. Now there is going to be an entire network devoted to this genre. It really is amazing when you think about it, and I can’t wait for the network to launch. My wife, on the other hand, doesn’t seem quite as thrilled.

Talking point: Superstar of the Year nominees are announced

Eck’s Factor: You could make a case for any of the six nominees (John Cena, Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, The Miz, Randy Orton and CM Punk), who all had terrific years. However, the prestigious award – which will be given out during next week’s Slammys episode of Raw – will be determined by online voting, which means that it’s basically a popularity contest. That pretty much eliminates Del Rio, Henry and Miz.

Cena has to be the favorite, but my vote would go to Punk. He turned WWE on its ear this summer and consistently delivered in the ring and on the mic. He participated in a number of entertaining pay-per-view matches, including an epic battle against Cena at Money in the Bank that was perhaps the Match of the Year. And even though he was out of the main event scene during the first six months of the year, Punk did have a memorable rivalry with Orton that culminated in an outstanding match at WrestleMania XXVII. (CAST YOUR VOTE HERE FOR SUPERSTAR OF THE YEAR)

Talking point: Lilian Garcia is returning to SmackDown

Eck’s Factor: After a two-year hiatus, Lilian returned as the full-time ring announcer on SmackDown this week. No offense to her, but if there was one ring announcer that I would bring back on a regular basis, it would be WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in “Eck’s Factor” are those of Kevin Eck alone and do not necessarily reflect those of WWE.

WHO IS KEVIN ECK?
For those who are unfamiliar with me, I come to WWE from The Baltimore Sun, where I was an assistant sports editor and the author of a pro wrestling blog titled Ring Posts. In between two stints with The Sun, I worked as the editor of WCW Magazine from 2000 to 2001.

 

Follow Kevin Eck on Twitter at Twitter.com/KevinEck_WWE. Eck will be live tweeting during Raw on most Mondays.

TLC 2011: United States Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder

Will Zack Ryder finally get a United States Championship Match
against Dolph Ziggler? Woo Woo Woo! You know it!
At WWE TLC: Tables Ladders and Chairs, the self proclaimed
Internet Champion will finally have an opportunity to win his first recognized WWE
singles title, thanks to his No. 1 Broski, John Cena.
On the Dec. 5 edition of Raw SuperShow, Cena selflessly agreed
to Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager,
John Laurinaitis’ stipulation that The Cenation Commander-in-Chief forego a WWE
Championship Match himself in order for Long Island Iced-Z to get one last opportunity
to earn a United States title bout. All Ryder needed to do was defeat Mr.
Laurinaitis’ handpicked opponent, The World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry in
a match with no disqualifications and no count-outs! The overwhelming
expectation of the WWE Universe was that the Twitter-trending leader of the”
Zack Pack” was going to be the next inductee into The World Strongest Man’s
“Hall of Pain.”
When all hope seemed lost and Ryder’s title-free match pinfall
victory over Ziggler and almost 25,000 twitition signatures seemed moot, Cena
charged the ring, took advantage of the fact that there were no disqualifications
and assured that Ryder won the contest. In doing so, Ryder finally won the
opportunity to challenge Dolph for the United States Championship.
Will Zack make the most of this opportunity he’s worked so
hard for and be able hang the United States Title next to his Christmas
stocking and headband? Not if the longest reigning champion in WWE stays true
to form. Over the last few months, Ziggler’s win-loss record in title-free
matches has been less than stellar but he’s continuously found a way to win
when it really counts, in title matches.
Dolph has also had two matches on the last two WWE pay-per-view events.  At TLC, he’ll be completely focused on
deleting the Internet Champion from title contention once and for all.
Can Zack show up the showoff and win the vaunted United
States Championship? We’ll find out at WWE TLC on Dec. 18, live on
pay-per-view.

TLC 2011: Triple H vs. Kevin Nash (Sledgehammer Ladder Match)

There was a time when Triple H and Kevin Nash were the best of friends: two Superstars bound by mutual respect unsullied by ego, money, or bad blood of any kind. They fought and bled together, slowly rising through the ranks of WWE. And yes, they would occasionally square off, but there was never a doubt that their differences would pass. They were, after all, friends.
This is not that time, and when Triple H and Nash face off in a Sledgehammer Ladder Match, with The Game's signature weapon up for grabs above their heads, it will be as enemies, not friends. The ring warrior who retrieves the weapon is free to use it against their enemy without any ramifications until there is a winner.
Nash tossed his friendship with The Game out the window months ago, after he returned at SummerSlam and, allegedly on Triple H's orders, drilled WWE Champion CM Punk into the canvas following Punk's championship match against John Cena, allowing Alberto Del Rio to cash in his Money in the Bank contract, claiming Punk's title for himself.
We now know this wasn't Triple H's idea, that Nash returned of his own volition to make an example of Superstars who he believed were disrespecting him. What Nash wanted all along was to renew his dominance in WWE, and expected Triple H - his friend - to stand aside and allow it.
This didn't happen, of course, and The Game, in his position of Chief Operating Officer and at the cost of their fraying friendship, was forced to fire Nash for insubordination only weeks after his return. (PHOTOS) It didn't stop Nash, who returned again in September, nearly costing Triple H his COO position at Night of Champions and prompting a mass walkout of WWE Superstars, who claimed a vote of no confidence in Triple H's leadership as a result of Nash's unpredictable appearances. When Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis was promoted to Interim Raw General Manager, Nash was hired back and made his presence felt against his former friend, attacking Triple H at Vengeance and, the next night on Raw, taking The Game out of action with his own sledgehammer. (WATCH)
Things have been quiet since then. But now, Triple H is back. The match is made, the stage is set, and the friendship is a thing of the past. And at WWE TLC, with the sledgehammer hanging above and ladders at their disposal, these former friends will settle their score, once and for all.
Who will prevail? Find out at WWE TLC, Sunday Dec. 18, at 8 ET/5PT, only on pay-per-view.

TLC 2011: World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry vs. Big Show (Chairs Match)

At WWE TLC, World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry will once again lock horns with Big Show in a World Title slug fest of gigantic proportions.
On Dec. 8, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long revealed to WWE.com that the two titans will collide in a Chairs Match.
The fuse for the colossal competitors' explosive showdown was lit at WWE Money in the Bank, when Henry sent The World's Largest Athlete to his infamous Hall of Pain – trapping his giant adversary's leg inside a chair before dropping down onto it from the ropes. (PHOTOS)
A rage-filled Big Show returned from injury with retribution on his mind, igniting a World Heavyweight Title battle between the two goliath Superstars at Vengeance that literally could not be contained. When Henry suplexed Big Show off the top rope, the shock waves made the ring collapse beneath them. Though the earth-shattering impact made history, the WWE Universe was denied a clear victor in the mega clash of the titans. (WATCH | PHOTOS)
Their brutal rematch at Survivor Series would prove just as intense and just as inconclusive. Though the ring was reinforced, the bitter collision between the two larger-than-life grapplers could not be so easily controlled. After Henry got himself intentionally disqualified and failed to once again induct his giant foe into the Hall of Pain – The World’s Largest Athlete turned the tables – injuring Henry to such an extent that the World Heavyweight Champion would not walk out of the arena. (PHOTOS)
Despite his injury, Henry overcame Mr. Money in the Bank Daniel Bryan in a Steel Cage Match on a special live edition of SmackDown – clearing the road for the monumental third act of this World Title trilogy of pain between Henry and his humongous No. 1 contender.
On the Dec. 9 edition of SmackDown, things came to a head
between the two massive foes when Henry sucker punched Show. In retaliation,
The World’s Largest Athlete delivered a hellacious beating with a steel chair
(WATCH).
Which massive competitor will emerge victorious when chairs
become a completely legal weapon? Find out at WWE TLC, Sunday Dec. 18 at 8 ET/5
PT, only on pay-per-view.

TLC 2011: WWE Championship Triple Threat TLC Match

WWE Champion CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio and The Miz will square off in
a Triple Threat Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match with the WWE Title on the
line. Only one man can leave a winner when the current and two former WWE Champions meet in the first-ever Triple Threat TLC Match for the WWE Championship at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, live on pay-per-view Sunday, Dec. 18.
Executive Vice President
of Talent Relations and Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis announced
this high-octane match where the Superstars will use tables, ladders and chairs as weapons and as tools to reach the WWE Title, which will be suspended some 20 feet in the air over the ring. Dangerous, harrowing and thrilling, TLC matches push competitors to the limit physically and mentally as they battle at dizzying heights in their quest for squared circle immortality.
The Miz and Del Rio had to defeat two SmackDown Superstars - Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, respectively - on Raw Supershow to earn their spots in the WWE TLC Match. While John Cena was named as another participant, he gave up his chance at the WWE Title to give his friend, Zack Ryder, an opportunity to earn a U.S. Title Match against Dolph Ziggler.


Since CM Punk won the WWE Championship from Alberto Del Rio
at Survivor Series (PHOTOS), The Mexican Aristocrat has been pining for an opportunity
to get the title back. Although he was unsuccessful in his first bid to recapture the WWE Championship, Del Rio
can look forward to another crack at The Second City Savior, along with another
dangerous former champion.


The Miz, the third competitor in the Triple Threat Match, is
flying solo after separating from tag team partner R-Truth. After The Rock and
John Cena defeated The “Awesome Truth” at Survivor Series, the Cenation leader
confronted The Miz and R-Truth. He played mind
games on the underhanded pair, culminating in them turning on each other and
Miz blasting Truth with a brutal Skull Crushing Finale on the steel entrance
ramp. (PHOTOS)


A loner again, The Awesome One looks to regain the WWE
Championship and then get revenge on Cena. Not one to be limited to one
rivalry, The Miz attacked CM Punk. Having to defend himself
from Del Rio and The Miz, Punk must feel like he’s being assailed on all sides;
and that includes certain WWE management.

TLC 2011 :Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett

Viper is defined as any snake belonging to the family Viperidae,
characterized by protruding venom-conducting fangs.
Most men would steer clear of
such a malevolent creature but Wade Barrett has proven himself to be bolder
than most men. Since winning WWE NXT’s inaugural season, Barrett has managed to
work his way up WWE’s food chain, first as the leader of The Nexus, then as
founder of The Corre and now as the one man “Barrett Barrage.” The former
bare-knuckled fighting champion is looking to knock off Randy Orton as WWE’s
“Apex Predator.”
In Liverpool, England, on
SmackDown, Barrett managed to escape the RKO and used a thumb to Orton’s eye to
steal a victory. If that weren’t enough, Team Barrett outlasted Team Orton at
Survivor Series when Barrett pinned The Viper with the help of his fellow
survivor, Intercontinental Champion, Cody Rhodes. (PHOTOS)
Since then, the British
grappler has been stalking Orton and has made it clear that he feels beating
the youngest World Heavyweight Champion once and for all will clear his path to
holding that same prize.
On the Dec. 9 edition of
SmackDown, Randy Orton defeated Dolph Ziggler faster than Wade Barrett, and as a result of that Beat The
Clock challenge, won the right to choose the stipulation for their match at
TLC. Without a word being spoken, Barrett “suggested” a Tables Match and Orton
“agreed” at the expense of Ziggler. (WATCH)
Will it be Orton or Barrett
looking over a broken table and possibly also the broken body and spirit of
their opponent? We’ll find out on Dec. 18 at TLC.

Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T

For weeks, Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes and Booker
T have been at odds with each other, exchanging heated words and a series of ambush
attacks.

At WWE TLC, it’s put up or shut up time for both Superstars,
who are embroiled in one of the most emotional wars right now in WWE. Losing this match would be a tough pill to swallow for either verbose Superstars. For the winner, it could very well direct the course of his future in WWE.

For Rhodes – who is seeking his first singles World
Championship – a victory over a veteran like Booker could be just the thing he’s
looking for to help catapult his career to the next level.

For Booker – who has not competed at all this year and focused
on announcing – capturing his second Intercontinental Championship could very well be the final punctuation mark on an already impressive career in the ring. (MORE ON BOOKER'S CAREER: CODY PICKED THE WRONG MAN TO ANGER)

Things finally came to a head between the two Superstars on the Dec. 9
edition of SmackDown, when Rhodes attacked Booker as he entered the arena.
Later that night, Booker retaliated by assaulting the Intercontinental
Champion during his match with Daniel Bryan (WATCH). Realizing a match between
the two was necessary sooner rather than later, SmackDown General Manager
Theodore Long announced the two would do battle at WWE TLC.

After not competing for so long, does Booker have what it
takes to win in the ring? Can Rhodes score a victory against such a formidable veteran? Find out at WWE TLC, Sunday Dec. 18 at 8 ET/5 PT, only on pay-per-view.

12-09: Why the Barrett Barrage stands above The Nexus and Corre

Since
winning NXT season one, Wade Barrett has aligned himself with powerful factions
like The Nexus and Corre. However, while these alliances have ultimately
backfired on the English Superstar, the Barrett Barrage is destined to succeed.

Wade’s
affiliation with both The Nexus and The Corre seemed to serve as security for
Barrett, a way for the ruthless Brit to give himself cover while he acquainted
himself with new battlegrounds. When he brought his fellow NXT season one
cohorts with him to Raw, he had just become a WWE Superstar. With The Corre, he
was just beginning his tenure on SmackDown.

In
contrast, the Barrett Barrage comes into being at a time that Barrett is
already anchored on Friday night, armed with an ability to understand both the
lay of the land and the path he must take to achieve his lofty goals.

Moreover,
without a large group standing at his flank, Barrett is not likely to attract
overwhelming opposition forces. In the past, A-list Superstars such as John
Cena and Big Show were quick to take on the cause of vanquishing what they saw
as a huge threat to the entire WWE. Since the Barrage is a solitary quest by
one Superstar, these same forces might never see him coming.

Furthermore,
without other competitors watching Barrett’s back, the English Superstar will be
less likely to get soft – often one of the side effects that comes with
depending on others. The Barrage will allow him to remain razor-sharp as he
pursues great wealth and the World Heavyweight Title.

Above
all else, the Barrett Barrage gives The Bare-knuckle Brawler unprecedented
focus. With such a single-minded determination in place, the needs of one will
surely outdo the needs of the many.

12-09: SmackDown Photos: Orton clocks in and sets the table for WWE TLC