John Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor and former rapper known for his successful career in the WWE.
He has achieved significant fame and recognition in the wrestling world.
Cena is a 16-time world champion in WWE, known for his transition from a trash-talking rapper character to a clean-cut, heroic persona.
He has also ventured into acting, starring in films like The Marine, Trainwreck, Bumblebee and F9.
Beyond entertainment, Cena is involved in charitable causes, notably granting over 650 wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
With a diverse career spanning wrestling, acting and music, he is a prominent figure in popular culture.
Net worth | $80 million |
Profession | Wrestler, actor, former rapper |
Date of birth | April 23, 1977 |
Nationality | American |
Background and early life
Cena, born John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. on April 23, 1977, in West Newbury, Massachusetts, comes from a family with Italian, English and French-Canadian heritage.
His parents are John Felix Anthony Cena Sr. and Carol.
Cena Sr., born on June 16, 1944, is of Italian descent and has been involved in wrestling as an announcer for Chaotic Wrestling.
Carol, born on November 22, 1947, is of English and French-Canadian origin.
Cena has four siblings, an elder brother named Stephen Cena, and three younger brothers named Dan, Matt and Sean Cena.
Cena’s family has a strong wrestling connection, with his father fostering his interest in the sport from a young age.
His rise to fame in WWE, where he won over 15 world championships, and his subsequent success in acting and other ventures have solidified his status as a prominent figure in popular culture.
Net worth
Cena has an estimated net worth of $80 million.
His net worth is attributed to his successful wrestling career, acting roles and various endorsements.
Cena has been named WWE’s top merchandise seller numerous times and has secured lucrative brand endorsements with companies like Capri Sun, Fruity Pebbles and Gillette.
He has also released a rap album and published a line of children’s picture books called the Elbow Grease series.
Cocktail drinks line
Cena has co-founded a line of cocktail drinks under Thomas Ashbourne, along with other celebrities like Vanessa Hudgens and Sarah Jessica Parker.
The brand, Thomas Ashbourne, offers a new line of premixed cocktails, with he being involved in the creation of an Old Fashioned drink.
The cocktails are priced at around $22 for a 375-milliliter bottle or $30 for a four-pack of 200-milliliter cans on Thomas Ashbourne’s website.
The Old Fashioned by Cena is described as a handcrafted and bottled drink in the United States, offering a perfect cocktail to complement one’s taste.
The brand’s debut was announced in May 2022, with Cena being involved in promoting the product through advertisements and endorsements.
Endorsement deals
Cena has a diverse range of endorsement deals that reflect his multifaceted career.
He has partnered with Honda for a new ad campaign, providing voice-overs for their commercials.
Cena has also been featured in Subway’s advertising campaigns, promoting the brand’s fresh and nutritious menu offerings.
His endorsement deals extend beyond Subway and Honda to include Capri Sun, a popular beverage brand.
Cena has also been the face of a campaign for Fruity Pebbles, a cereal brand, promoting the product and raising awareness for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the “Be a STAR” anti-bullying campaign.
Additionally, he has served as a Co-Grand Marshal for the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 event, showcasing his involvement with the brand.
These endorsement deals reflect Cena’s diverse portfolio and his ability to leverage his fame and influence across various industries.
Real estate
Cena owns a $4 million mansion in Land O’ Lakes, Tampa Bay, Florida.
The Mediterranean-style estate, which he purchased in 2005, spans over 10,000 square feet and features seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms and a 2.5-acre piece of land.
The mansion boasts an impressive two-story entryway, expansive terraces, a guest apartment above the three-car garage and a large motor court driveway.
Inside, the home features a formal living room, a chef’s kitchen, a home theater, a master suite with dual closets and spa baths, a private gym and an indoor pool.
The outdoor amenities include an infinity pool and spa, patios, an outdoor kitchen and dining area and a detached 7,000 sq ft garage filled with his car collection.
Car collection
Cena is known for his impressive car collection, which includes a variety of high-performance vehicles and classic American muscle cars.
Some notable cars in his collection include a 2006 Ford GT, a 1970 Plymouth Superbird, a 2013 Custom Corvette CR InCINErator, a 1966 Dodge Hemi Charger 426 and a 1969 COPO Chevrolet Camaro.
Cena is particularly fond of American manufacturing triumphs and has a collection full of one-off and ultra-rare cars.
His car collection has been estimated to be worth millions of dollars, with some of his cars being valued at over $100,000 each.
Cena also owns the famous Workhorse jet, worth $35 million, which he uses for film shootings and WWE events.
Early wrestling career
Cena’s early wrestling career began in 1999 when he started training at Ultimate University, a California-based wrestling school operated by Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW).
He adopted the name, Prototype, and used his bodybuilding background as his gimmick.
Cena won the UPW Heavyweight Championship before being signed by WWE.
In WWE’s developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), Cena continued to rise through the ranks, capturing the tag team and heavyweight championships.
Cena’s wrestling style was characterized by his impressive physique and ruthless aggression, which he used to great effect in his matches.
His success in OVW led to his call-up to the WWE, where he made his first televised appearance by answering Kurt Angle’s open challenge.
Cena’s early career in WWE was marked by his determination and persistence, as he worked his way up the ranks and established himself as a formidable competitor.
Despite facing challenges and setbacks, his ruthless aggression and dedication to the sport helped him become one of the most successful wrestlers in WWE history.
John Cena WWE debut
Cena made his WWE debut on June 27, 2002, in a SmackDown episode.
He answered an open challenge by Kurt Angle, a surprise double chickenwing pinfall earned him the victory.
Post-match, Cena approached Angle, extending his arm for a handshake.
Despite losing the match, Cena earned credibility early in his WWE career, holding his own against an elite competitor in Angle.
Later that night, Cena received respect from various WWE Superstars, including a handshake from the Undertaker.
Cena’s debut marked the beginning of a successful WWE career, where he became one of the most decorated WWE Superstars in history, with numerous championships, including five United States Championship reigns, four tag team title wins and 16 world titles.
WWR salary and contracts
Cena’s early WWE career began with a modest salary.
He revealed that his first contract with the company in 2000 saw him earn just $12,000 a year.
Despite this low starting wage, Cena’s dedication and ruthless aggression led him to become one of the most decorated WWE Superstars in history.
Over time, his salary increased significantly, with him currently earning $8.5 million per year as a part-timer, including $500,000 per main event appearance and a percentage of merchandise sales.
This growth in salary reflects Cena’s impact on WWE and his status as a top superstar.
Acting career
Cena’s acting career has been a significant part of his professional journey, showcasing his versatility beyond the wrestling ring.
He made his acting debut in 2006 with the WWE Studios production, The Marine, which marked the beginning of his transition into Hollywood.
Despite mixed critical reception, the film was a commercial success.
Over the years, Cena has expanded his acting portfolio with roles in various genres, including action and comedy.
Notable films in which he has starred include Trainwreck, The Wall, Daddy’s Home 2, Blockers and Bumblebee.
His role in the Fast and Furious franchise, specifically in F9: The Fast Saga, further solidified his presence in mainstream cinema.
One of his standout performances was as Christopher Smith/Peacemaker in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad,which led to his own series on HBO Max.
Cena’s dedication to learning and evolving in the acting industry, coupled with his success in WWE, has positioned him as a multifaceted talent in both wrestling and acting realms.
Philanthropic works
Cena’s philanthropic endeavors are primarily focused on supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
He has been a long-standing supporter of the organization, having granted over 650 wishes, the most by any celebrity in the foundation’s history.
Cena’s involvement with Make-A-Wish is deeply personal, and he has often spoken about the profound impact that meeting wish kids has had on him.
His commitment to the foundation is unwavering, and he has been the most requested celebrity by wish kids for many years.
Cena’s dedication to granting wishes has earned him widespread recognition and admiration, solidifying his status as a role model and a source of inspiration for many.
Personal life
Cena is currently married to Shay Shariatzadeh.
The couple tied the knot in 2020, following a year of dating.
Cena has been resolute about not wanting children due to his demanding career and the responsibilities associated with parenthood.
However, recent reports suggest that Cena’s views on having children may be evolving, with the wrestler becoming more open to the idea of embracing fatherhood as he grows older and gains wisdom.
Cena’s decision not to have children stems from his commitment to his marriage and personal life, recognizing the immense responsibility and time commitment that raising children demands.
He has been the top granter of wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, brightening the days of many children, but he has chosen not to have kids of his own.
Cena’s previous relationship with Nikki Bella ended due to his disinterest in having children and his focus on his career
Since marrying Shariatzadeh, he has expressed that balancing his career, personal life and connections with loved ones is challenging enough without adding a baby to the mix.
Controversies
Cena has faced controversies related to his wrestling abilities and character portrayal.
Critics argue that his limited move set, frequent Hulking-up, and underdog storylines are repetitive and stale.
Cena’s character has been accused of pandering to a younger audience with juvenile humor and poopy jokes, which some perceive as a departure from his earlier, more mature promos.
His positive approach to addressing the Vince McMahon scandal, where McMahon faces allegations of sexual trafficking and misconduct, has also sparked controversy.
Critics argue that Cena’s comments diminish the seriousness of the allegations and may not be an appropriate response given the gravity of the situation.
Additionally, his backstage reputation as a master politician and bully has also contributed to his controversial image.
Cena’s involvement in the return of wrestlers like Maryse Oulette and Kelly Kelly has been criticized, and his character has been accused of exploiting sick children and cancer patients for personal gain.
Oscar Awards shitshow
Cena stirred controversy at the 2024 Oscars by presenting an award for best costume design while wearing no clothes, a move that was intended as a nod to a streaker incident from the 1974 Oscars.
Initially planned as a homage to the past streaker with host Jimmy Kimmel, he backed out last minute, expressing discomfort with the idea.
Despite the attempt to present the award in a humorous manner, Cena’s decision to go nude on stage sparked mixed reactions and raised eyebrows, leading to discussions about the appropriateness of his actions at such a prestigious event.
The incident generated buzz and divided opinions among viewers and critics, with some finding it distasteful for the formal setting of the Oscars.