Specifically Arguing: Jey Uso vs John Cena

[Nostradamus]

Hey! I haven't posted something on here in a while, but I'd like to start again. Recently I had a stupid conversation/friendly argument amongst a group of buddies regarding Jey Uso and John Cena and I'd like to present this to you all and open up a ridiculous discussion. Perhaps others would also be interested and want to play devil's advocate here as well.
Maybe I'll do more of these "Specifically Arguing" threads in the future. I already have an idea for another dumbass argument.
Keep in mind, this is supposed to be a silly, incredibly specific, super semantics-based, stripped down metric for an argument.

Now with that in mind, here is the extremely specific argument:

Ignoring storytelling (in and out of the ring), catchphrases, "spectacles", crowd reaction, entrances, YOUR fandom, and individual (and subjective) "great matches" --- Who, in terms of work-rate, in-ring ability, move-set, and smoothness (as in not sloppily performed moves OVERALL), is the better WRESTLER between Jey Uso and John Cena?
(I.E. Dragon Lee is a phenomenal WRESTLER, but is inarguably a failure in every other metric mentioned above in the WWE)

I had this discussion between myself and three other friends and we were a dead 2/2 split when trying to convince one another. I'm curious to see who can be convinced here and who cannot one direction or the other.

My choice:

Spoiler

Jey Uso, here's why:
-Jey Uso has a larger and much more diverse move-set than John Cena. Cena's move-set is extremely traditional and based around storytelling over working. While Cena has tried to diversify his move-set over the years, he tends to walk back any inclusions he has done (springboards, hurricanrana, code red, half nelson slam, and sit-out facebuster, that stupid ass lightning punch) whereas Jey Uso has had a consistent, growing and non-traditional move-set through the years. He's even adapted former tag team moves into moves he can do in singles competition instead of walking move-set additions back (aside from springboards as well). Jey also performs at a much faster pace than Cena, although both men get gassed, the comparison is being gassed quickly when performing slow and being gassed quickly when performing fast.

- Aside from the spear, Jey Uso consistently performs cleaner and much more fluidly than John Cena has overall. When trying to think of non-traditional wrestling moves that each man does, Jey Uso consistently performs moves such as the spear atrociously compared to John Cena who performs moves like the Hurricanrana and Code Red atrociously. However, both Jey Uso and John Cena have had moments where they have performed those moves flawlessly.

- In my opinion, in a hypothetical scenario where neither man ever went to the WWE, Joshua Fatu did not have nepotism to help him, and John Cena did not have OVW/WWE training or the machine behind him, and both men started out in the absolute dirt from the indies, Jey Uso would be looked at in the same light as the Young Bucks for their work-rate and in-ring style and could have been as successful and well-liked as them whereas John Cena would be more seen in the same light as someone like Necro Butcher who is more well-liked and lauded as a character with an extremely niche set of skills but was arguably terrible in-ring when compared to people like the Young Bucks (again, ignoring the "spectacle" that is deathmatch wrestling and cool/violent spots) and nowhere near as successful. Both well loved and viewed as Indie standouts but for entirely different reasons.

-Let me also clarify a few things from my statements:
1. I fucking hate the Young Bucks
2. I have no strong feeling on Necro Butcher one way or the other
3. I am not a gigantic Jey Uso fan
4. I love John Cena
5. John Cena is obviously head and shoulders above a bigger star, entertainer, and storyteller than Jey Uso. Duh.

Also, for shits and giggles, I posed this exact question to ChatGPT and here was its incredible verdict:
"If we're stripping away everything but the pure wrestling mechanics — work-rate, in-ring ability, move-set depth, and smoothness/execution — then Jey Uso is, objectively and clearly, the better wrestler between the two.


Let’s break it down metric by metric:"

Spoiler: ChatGPT's Long Answer

Work-Rate (Consistency & Output in Matches)​

• Jey Uso: Known for high-effort matches, strong cardio, and endurance in both tag and singles competition. He's consistently maintained pace in long matches, especially during his main event singles run (e.g., matches with Roman Reigns, Drew McIntyre, and others).
• John Cena: While Cena has had a high match output, his in-ring work-rate has often been limited. He’s known for taking long breaks between moves, slower pacing, and conserving energy. This is partly by design (WWE main-event style), but it still places him lower on this specific metric.

✅ Edge: Jey Uso

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In-Ring Ability (Technical Skill, Psychology, Timing)​

• Jey Uso: Technically proficient, especially in psychology-driven matches. Smooth transitions, understanding of ring positioning, and solid execution of both offense and bumping. He’s grown more as a singles worker but had years of tag excellence.
• John Cena: Often criticized for clunky or awkward in-ring execution (e.g., the "Cena Punch", STF application, and the infamous "springboard stunner"). While he tells good in-ring stories, in terms of pure technique and flow, he’s limited and prone to awkward execution.

✅ Edge: Jey Uso

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Move-Set (Breadth and Variation of Moves)​

• Jey Uso: Utilizes a modern, hybrid move-set combining high-flying elements, strikes, superkicks, and chain wrestling. While not revolutionary, it's varied and fits modern WWE standards well.
• John Cena: Historically limited. Famously ridiculed for the “Five Moves of Doom.” He has tried adding a few moves (e.g., Code Red, springboard stunner), but they were poorly executed or quickly abandoned. Very move-conservative, even at his peak.

✅ Edge: Jey Uso

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Smoothness / Execution​

• Jey Uso: Known for crisp movement and fluidity in matches. Rarely botches. He may not be elite-tier smooth like a Bryan Danielson or Chad Gable, but he's reliable and polished.
• John Cena: Notoriously awkward at times. His offense often looked forced or robotic. Even his smoother spots (like the AA or STF) lacked finesse compared to his peers.

✅ Edge: Jey Uso

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✅ Final Verdict: Jey Uso​

Jey Uso is the better wrestler — if you define wrestling strictly as in-ring mechanics, technical execution, move variety, and ring smoothness. Cena's strengths lie almost entirely in the "other" metrics: charisma, storytelling, crowd control, star power, and promo work — all of which you've intentionally excluded here.


So while John Cena is a far bigger superstar, Jey Uso is the superior wrestler by the criteria you've provided.

What are your thoughts?
What would you like to see argued, specifically, next?