Known for his humor and huge biceps, John Cena is still going strong with more movies on the ... [+]
Almost ever since the beginning of Cena’s pro wrestling career, the Massachusetts-born WWE star has been front and center on our screens and in the American psyche.
Yet, one thing that stands out the first time you speak to John Cena is his polite, easygoing nature and authenticity. And for all of his big muscles and championship belts, what’s also clear is that he’s just about as down-to-earth as any of us.
During our phone interview last week, Cena put it very simply: “Like everyone else, I’m happy and and I have moments of great joy, and I have moments when I’m sad and frustrated, and have moments of depression. I like to be able to be my whole self.”
Cena said the tough guy exterior helped raise him to the greatest heights of pro wrestling and that it also lends itself well to a career in movies, where, more often than not, he is playing one of the good guys.
“The Superman look or the hero in movies and TV often makes people think you’re primed for action,” Cena explained. “But on a normal day, I’m definitely not picking fights with people,” he joked.
In the early 2000s, Cena was tearing it up in the ring. Shortly after he won his first WWE Championship title in 2005, he began starring as a lead in action films such as The Marine (2006) and 12 Rounds (2009).
As the demand for Cena's star power grew, he gracefully transitioned into drama and comedy productions. His notable roles include Fred: The Movie (2010), Reunion (2011), and Sisters (2015) with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey. He even took on the challenge of a mockumentary spoof on the sport of cycling, titled Tour De Pharmacy (2017), for HBO, further solidifying his success in film and as a Hollywood fan favorite.
But among Cena’s three dozen films, plenty of his more major roles and voiceovers come in the form of work in children’s movies and animated films. I asked him why the “tough guy” role common to pro wrestling works so well in family features.
“I think, over the years, action films and movies oriented more toward kids have gained popularity for moviegoers and families watching at home. So, I’ve been welcomed into people’s living rooms for a while now,” Cena said. He added that he likes doing comedies, especially, as they “let me be myself, let me be funny, and let me be who I am.”
Cena has also played himself on several occasions. He’s made appearances as John Cena on classics such as Parks And Recreation and Hannah Montana, plus Nickelodeon’s The Substitute and True Jackson, VP, not to mention the revival of Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader, as the show’s host.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with WWE for over 23 years now, but it’s fun to take on other roles, and I’m grateful for the producers and directors who have given me the opportunities to do more things.”
Over the years, one of Cena’s favorite television gigs has been his appearances on NBC’s Saturday Night Live.
“Anytime you get to do sketch comedy in front of a live audience, it’s amazing,” Cena said. He said that being on the long-running comedy sketch show can “be intimidating sometimes,” but says that it is both great fun to be involved and is an excellent challenge for anyone with a career on-camera.
“When you are working with the (SNL) cast,” Cena said of the players, “you are working with the absolute best, and they are always performing at a high level.”
Cena was the guest host of SNL on December 10, 2016, and also appeared as a cameo on March 14, 2009, and October 9, 2021, participating in sketches with Fey, Chris Rock, and other comedy legends.
“Each week I’ve been on, it has possibly the most tired I’ve ever been, and they are also the best and most fun weeks I’ve ever experienced,” Cena said, calling it “exhilarating.”
In addition to all that, Cena has also hosted ESPN’s Espy Awards, and a wide variety of reality TV and contest shows such as ABC’s Wipeout, which he helped produce.
Fit for the long haul
Just today MET-Rx announced a new multi-year partnership with Cena, the WWE legend and philanthropist. Cena said nutrition was “always a top concern even before he first got involved in bodybuilding” en route to his eventual career in the ring.
“Building muscle as a bodybuilder would lead me to be able to compete in pro wrestling,” Cena said. “Dedication to intense workouts was obviously key, but you have to fuel your body to take on that challenge.”
The 6-foot-1, 250-lb. Cena, known also for his 20-inch biceps, said he found solace and determination in the gym in his late teens. Eventually, he began educating himself about fitness and nutrition before transforming into a formidable athlete poised for a collegiate football career and, ultimately, WWE greatness.
While Cena’s physique and ties with sports make him a great fit for MET-Rx, the current number one sports nutrition brand, so does his success as an actor, one of the company’s marketing executives explained. Especially in the social media era.
“John Cena is a unique breed of celebrity,” said MET-Rx marketing and innovation director Bree Randall. “His appeal is universal and his fan base is incredibly enthusiastic and devoted, especially on TikTok,” Randall said.
Looking ahead, the company’s strategy is aimed at reaching customers on their mobile devices. She notes that Cena’s celebrity leading up to now makes him the perfect persona to connect with new audiences via social media. His sense of humor is an added bonus.
“Our MET-Rx campaign harnesses that attention and popularity, with content that is unexpected, attention-getting, and funny.”
Randall said MET-Rx’s new full campaign with Cena rolls out over the coming weeks. Yet as 21st-century trendy as TikTok may be, Randall said that their campaign with Cena summons a little bit of late 20th-century nostalgia.
“MET-Rx launched in the ‘90s as the original meal replacement brand in sports nutrition, so we have authentic roots in the fun and flashy gym culture of that era,” she said.
VIDEO: Cena talks about being “half-machine” on Graham Norton.
Randall added that 30 years later, “the ‘90s aesthetic is trending again, and this Tik-Tok-driven, over-the-top campaign approach” that Cena has been all-in on since the beginning. “It’s the perfect vehicle for his unique fusion of physicality, comedy, and genuine positivity, and we think it will resonate with fitness enthusiasts of every generation.”
Randall also added, “Our shared goal with John is to inspire and motivate people to challenge themselves, persevere, share and celebrate their wins, and achieve their own personal and fitness goals.”
But how, if at all, has John Cena—now 47 years old—changed his workout regimen since his days as a bodybuilder? Or as a full-time pro wrestler?
“I’m a little more focused on training for the long term,” he said. “Instead of the focus on being on ‘crushing it’ today like there’s no tomorrow, or lift the most I can, I focus on different things.”
But Cena doesn’t think that getting older means working out less or easing up by any stretch. While Cena doesn’t aim to bench press or squat a new maximum weight every day or set a new personal best, he does focus on keeping his energy level up along with his stamina.
“In my personal experience the slowdown comes with lack of energy,” Cena explained, over the phone while on-location in Eastern Europe, shooting a new film. “Certainly, there is a bell curve that occurs where age plays a role, but at my age. But if you are driven and have goals, you can tap into your own energy.”
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