Professional wrestling legend Lance Storm criticized the John Cena Classic, arguing that its fan-vote format and high stakes threaten core industry traditions.
Storm shared his concerns on an episode of Wrestling Observer Live, where host Bryan Alvarez discussed the potential for wrestlers to sabotage one another when a tournament relies on a fan vote, Wrestling Inc. reported.
“It goes against the fundamentals of this industry,” Storm said, according to Wrestling Inc. “It is completely ridiculous, because as you say, the whole point is, we’re suppose to make each other look good but if there’s actually something to be achieved by it…”
Lance Storm on The John Cena Classic: "It undermines the fundamental principle of pro wrestling." "You're further undermining fan's investment in wins and losses, you're further trivializing what winning a belt means, it undermines everything this industry is about. It… pic.twitter.com/GD2eKAxGkD”
Storm drew parallels to past locker room politics during the territory days, noting that financial incentives often drove performers to undermine their peers. He pointed directly to a high-profile incident from the late 1990s as a direct warning for the upcoming WWE tournament.
“Back in the day, if you if were in the main event, you got paid more money, in the territory days, guys did sabotage each other in matches,” Storm told Wrestling Inc., citing WCW Starrcade 1997. He claimed Hulk Hogan completely sabotaged Sting’s return because Hogan wanted to protect his spot at the top of the card.
Beyond locker room friction, Storm argued that deciding matches and titles through a digital popularity contest devalues the hard work athletes put into building their win-loss records. He said that the format strips away the traditional prestige associated with holding a championship belt in professional wrestling.
“You’re further trivializing what winning a belt means, because it’s just, ‘You’ve got four minutes to vote on WWE.com, we’ll give this guy a belt!'” Storm told Wrestling Inc. “It’s like it undermines everything this industry is about. It undermines fan reaction. It undermines fan investment. It undermines the value of being a champion. It undermines the fundamental principle of pro wrestling.”
John Cena revealed that the tournament will take place on December 14 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Walt Disney World. The winner of the John Cena Classic will be decided entirely by a fan vote conducted through Club WWE.