John Cenas shocking heel turn at WWE Elimination Chamber had the wrestling world talking, but Eric Bischoff doesnt think it holds up to Hulk Hogans legendary NWO turn from the late 90s.
Speaking on 83 Weeks, Bischoff broke down the moment and why, in his opinion, Cenas turn didnt quite reach the same historic level as Hogans betrayal of WCW.
Different time, differenteverything was different. Heres the thing, thoughstructurally, lets reverse engineer this. If we go back and watch the turn, the momentthe kick to the balls. Before that, if you go back, The Rock did the slit-throat thing, the whole thing. If you watch it play out, and when its all over, watch the people standing around the ring. Got a great reaction, dont get me wrongit wasnt the reaction that Hogan got.
Bischoff then suggested a side-by-side comparison between the two moments, focusing solely on the crowd reactions.
If you go back, put those two finishes side by sideforget about whats going on inside of the ring, just watch the crowd. Oh yeah, and then theres all the garbage that came with the crowd [in WCW]. The reaction to Hogans turn on an emotional scale of 1 to 10 was probably a nine. I think on an emotional scale, the Cena turn was probably around an eight, maybe seven and a half.
According to Bischoff, the biggest difference is the timing and evolution of wrestling audiences.
What it comes down to, Conrad, is shockingno one expected it. I dont think I heard any chatter. Now, granted, Ive been busy the last few weeks, busier than usual, and I havent stayed close to whats going on in wrestling But I just dont think this will get the kind of reaction that the Hogan turn did.
Thats not a knock on Cenas turn itselfBischoff made sure to clarify that the execution was flawless, but the landscape of wrestling today simply isnt the same.
I dont think its as big as the Hogan turn in terms of overall impact. I agree with whoever made the comment. But its not because it wasnt extremely well doneits just because of the timing. The audiences taste is different. Its bigger, for sure, but its different. Just like it is for movies and television.
While Cenas heel turn will undoubtedly go down as one of WWEs most memorable moments, Bischoff believes it simply wont have the same cultural shift that Hogans NWO turn did nearly 30 years ago.
Do you agree with Bischoff? Was John Cenas turn just as impactful as Hulk Hogans betrayal? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
