Here we go once again with a Wrestlemania style “Remember When.” This time I decided to feature one of the stars in this years main event, John Cena.
Do you remember when John Cena was a prototype?
When Cena was breaking into the Wrestling scene in 2000, he went by the name “Prototype.” Prototype was a semi-robotic character. In the indy circuit, he managed to win the UPW title as the Prototype character.
When Cena signed with WWE’s OVW Developmental territory, he still carried the Prototype moniker. While in OVW he took on the likes of Randy Orton, Batista, etc. He even managed to become the OVW Champion and Tag Team Champion while he was over there.
When it was time for Cena to make his debut on WWE TV in June 2002, he dropped the Prototype character, went simply by John Cena, and the rest as we say is history.
Join me next time as we Take a look at blast from John Cena’s opponent’s past, The Rock. What will I have in store for the Great One? You’ll just have to tune in and find out.
Here’s a look at Prototype taking on ECW Alumni CW Anderson
Ringsidehustle.com 
Long before Super Cena had relied on his 5 moves of doom.
Good find.
LikeLike
Thank you for appreciating my research 🙂
LikeLike
I liked the Prototype, it was a classy name. Nice to see him using more than his well-known 5 moves of doom, haha.
LikeLike
My favourite part was his prototype haircut. He looked less like a thumb then. Ruthless aggression and all that jazz
LikeLike
John Cena? Never heard of him. lol
LikeLike
Lucky you hahaha
LikeLike
I don’t know. I’ve ben reading about him and he sounds pretty important and has had many classic matches throughout his career.
LikeLike
Capt., you live near the OVW arena right?
LikeLike
Yes, I drive past it on the way to my dad’s house.
LikeLike
That’s cool. I drive past the Allstate Arena on my way home from work every day.
LikeLike
Yeah, I think your’s is slightly bigger.
LikeLike
*pause*
LikeLike
I heard about his Prototype gimmick but don’t remember it. When I started watching Cena, he was already hated by the IWC.
LikeLike
I remember when Discover channel had a doc about Indy wrestling and he was featured along with Joe.
LikeLike
Use to watch OVW all the time (back in 2006-2007) and allows loved it. I know they signed with TNA for that development deal, but I haven’t heard anything from them after that. Need to go see what they been up to.
LikeLike
It’s been just about nothing after they split with WWE. Perhaps the Impact partnership will help them?
LikeLike
Oh god yes, this was even featured on the promos for some of his DVD’s. When Cena came out these last few weeks I’ve actually had interest in him. Haven’t since about 2007?
LikeLike
You mean since his feud with HBK in 2007?
LikeLike
Well, I guess I’m being a little hard on him, but as soon as I heard his old theme on Raw I remembered how much I enjoyed that Cena. Chain gang shit is horrible, you can’t see me theme is horrible, I dunno. It was fresh to see the old this week, so I was pumped.
LikeLike
I just think about what he would’ve been allowed to do if he was arounf in the Attitude Era.
LikeLike
I remember watching some short documentary, and UPW was featured in it. This was like in 2006, so I recognized Cena, who was shown just starting out.
LikeLike