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John Cena has revealed how WWE matches can completely change in the middle of the action depending on the crowd's reaction and the performers' ability to adapt.
Speaking on Good Hang with Amy Poehler, the 17-time WWE Champion explained that while wrestlers prepare key moments in advance, the direction of a match can shift based on how the audience responds.
Cena explained that the most important part to rehearse is the final stretch of a match, which he described as the "third act."
"What we need to really rehearse is from the comeback to the finish," Cena said. "And that's usually the loud…"
He continued by explaining that performers use the earlier portions of the match to improvise and adjust to the live crowd.
"The third act needs to be prepared because it can also change. Basically, you use the first two acts to go out and improvise."
John Cena On The Importance Of Trust Between WWE Performers
Cena noted that wrestlers have to understand each other's abilities before stepping into the ring, especially when planning dangerous spots.
"You are doing dangerous things, but there's a fundamental trust between performers that, you know X skill, I know X skill. And the conversation we can have before is, ‘Do you do anything specific that's outside of the fundamentals that I should know about?'"
The former Undisputed WWE Champion also explained how performers can alter their approach when the audience reacts differently than expected. Cena used an example of telling an opponent to hit him if the crowd began turning in his favor.
“So, immediately, a piece of line that I would throw on the water is, ‘Punch me in the face.’ And they might cheer.”
Cena explained that a moment like that could help shift the audience's emotions and make them invest more heavily in the match.
"So, we did two things there: You threw the first punch, which is not fair, it's not virtuous, and you did it when I wasn't looking."
WWE Stars Can Receive Instructions During Matches
Cena also revealed that WWE matches can be adjusted during the performance, with referees relaying instructions from backstage if needed.
"There have been instances where the people behind the curtain will tell the ref to tell you like, ‘Switch the finish.'"
According to Cena, wrestlers can receive guidance throughout the match, including timing updates and potential changes based on the crowd.
"I have the ref being like, ‘You have 17 minutes left. You have 16 minutes left.'"
Cena added that coaches watching from backstage can also provide real-time feedback through the referee.
“So like, it’s all happening in real time. And, there are coaches watching you from behind a curtain that will tell the ref what they think you should do.”
The Peacemaker star explained that the unpredictable nature of live wrestling was one of the biggest reasons he loved performing.
“It’s crazy! That’s why I wanted to do it forever. And I just, physically, I can’t do it anymore. But that’s why when anyone says, like, “What do you like more, wrestling…?”
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The post John Cena Says WWE Can Change Match Results Based on Crowd Reactions appeared first on Wrestlezone.
