ECW original Lance Storm has voiced concerns during Wrestling Observer Live about WWE’s upcoming John Cena Classic, a fan-voted event that pits main roster stars against NXT talent. In this unconventional format, actual match results matter less than audience popularity, meaning even wrestlers who lose their bouts can still claim the title through fan votes. Storm warns that the setup may discourage highly paid performers from fully elevating lower-card opponents, as it risks exposing salary gaps and potentially undermining their own standing within the company.
“If I’m a $500,000 main roster talent and I’m in there with a $75,000 a year NXT guy, why would I use my skill and my experience to make him look good? If he wins the popularity contest and wins and gets the push to the championship, I could lose my job. Because there is going to be a TKO executive saying, ‘Well, why are we paying this guy that lost the fan vote and is less over than this NXT guy that works for way less money?’ If I know ahead of time, ‘Hey, you’re getting a push, we wanna protect this guy,’ I’ll make him look good. But if I don’t know who’s winning or losing the actual fan vote, it’s no longer in my interest to make the guy look good.” – Lance Storm
The John Cena Classic introduces a fan-driven format where victories do not determine the champion. Instead, fans will vote to crown the winner from all participants, main roster and NXT stars alike, regardless of wins or losses. John Cena has stressed that effort, hustle, and genuine audience connection can elevate any competitor, even in defeat. While details remain fluid, the concept turns the event into a popularity contest focused on “heart,” aiming to boost fan engagement and NXT talents’ exposure.
