John Cena took a huge step toward superstardom this week when he turned down an invitation to join Brock Lesnar's team at the Survivor Series and decided to join Kurt Angle's team instead.
An objective eye has to conclude that Cena is the total package right now. He has a good build, a good gimmick, great mic skills and the fans behind him. Combine that with just enough ring ability to warrant main-event type matches, and this guy might be the next huge star in the business.
Give the WWE credit for bringing Cena along slowly and resisting the temptation to make him turn heel too soon. When the WWE commits to young talent, the fans often turn on them instead of giving the upstarts a chance to mature.
Much like rookie quarterbacks who don't make an impact in the NFL, newcomers in the ring don't become the Rock after two weeks. Cena and Angle will be as unstoppable a force as the WWE has seen in quite some time.
AROUND THE RING: Another death struck the wrestling world when Michael Lockwood (better known as Crash Holly) died Thursday in Florida. Lockwood, 34, had been working in NWA as Mad Mikey. ... A.J. Styles will team with Sting to face Jeff Jarrett and Lex Luger in the NWA main event next week.
HOTLINE: I have more details about the passing of Crash Holly and behind-the-scenes news of a WWE star talking about jumping to the NWA. Call (900) 990-SLAM. The cost is $2 per minute.
Copyright The Chicago Sun-Times, Inc.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.