John
John Cena is a world-famous professional wrestler. Besides being a wrestler, he is also known as an actor and public figure for inspiring many people. He started his career at the WWE event to become a great artist who proved that hard work, persistence, and desire can lead a person to success even in different fields.
John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. was born on April 23, 1977, in West Newbury, Massachusetts, United States. He is the second of five children and comes from a family of mixed Italian and English descent. He used to be a victim of bullying as a teenager because of his thin body; this encouraged him to exercise and start practicing weightlifting.
Cena attended Springfield College in Massachusetts and earned a degree in exercise physiology. While in college, he was also a member of the college’s football team and had aspirations of becoming a soccer player. But after graduating, Cena moved to California to pursue a career as a fitness trainer. He began his early career as a wrestler in 1999, joining Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW) and creating the character “The Prototype,” a half-robot human with extraordinary powers. His performance caught the attention of the WWF (World Wrestling Federation).
Then in 2001, he joined the WWF (World Wrestling Federation), now known as WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), which is the largest professional wrestling contest in the world. and officially became a wrestler on June 27, 2002, with his first match against Kurt Angle. But the result of the match turned out to result in defeat for Cena. On April 3, 2005, John Cena defeated JBL and got his first victory.
After his first victory, he gained immense popularity and won the world championship multiple times. With his signature look of a baseball cap, short jeans, and the “You Can’t See Me” hand gesture, he even became the main face of WWE for a decade. During his time in WWE, Cena won 25 titles; he became a five-time United States champion and a sixteen-time world champion. John Cena also appeared in dozens of main events at WWE’s biggest event, WrestleMania. The reason he is a respected opponent is because of his strong fighting style coupled with iconic finishing moves such as the “Attitude Adjustment” and “STF (Stunned Trap Fade).” In the ring, he is not only known for his physical strength but also for his spirit and unyielding nature.
Cena started out as just another wrestler until he showed a different, hip-hop-inspired side of himself. He became a stylish rapper who sang his lyrics with confidence, and his baggy clothes were typical of street style. Making him even more loved by his fans.
The slogan “Never Give Up” and the hand gesture “You Can’t See Me” have had a significant impact beyond the world of wrestling. Cena is not only a professional wrestler but also a symbol of perseverance and determination. After gaining widespread popularity, however, he took advantage of it to become an actor.
Switching industries is not easy, especially since Cena was a wrestler at first and then tried to become an actor because not all wrestlers are successful when entering the world of acting. But he tried to prove that he had decent skills in acting. Later, he started with small roles and built his reputation as an action and comedy film actor.
Cena started his acting career by starring in an action movie titled The Marine (2006). After gaining popularity, he began starring in many films, such as 12 Rounds (2009) and Legendary (2010), and even the film that won many awards and was loved by many people, F9 (Fast & Furious 9), which broke local box office records and became the highest-grossing film during the pandemic with a global revenue of more than 700 million US dollars, proving that he can compete with Hollywood’s top actors. His success shows that he is not just “playing around” but can also adapt in various fields of entertainment.
Cena’s fame is not only what he does in the ring and on the big screen, but also his life outside of entertainment. In addition to capitalizing on his popularity as a figure in the industry, he also makes a positive impact on society.
He participates in the “Make A Wish Foundation” program, a charitable organization to help make wishes come true for children with critical illnesses. To date, John Cena holds the record for the Foundation’s celebrity who has fulfilled the most children’s wishes, with more than 650 requests. This is a huge number and proves the sincere nature of his heart towards those who need a lifeline.
Not only that, Cena also participated in several social campaigns and anti-discrimination campaigns, and he also participated in the “sun protection awareness” campaign after being diagnosed with skin cancer twice. One of the social campaigns several years ago, he delivered a speech and invited Americans to understand the meaning of “patriotism,” which is not by differences in race, skin color, or religion, but from the way we treat each other with love.
He also supports various charitable foundations, such as programs for military veterans, anti-bullying campaigns, and mental health promotion. Because he realizes that his fame can be used to spread positivity and does not waste this responsibility.
He is known to have a high work ethic. While still active in WWE, he became one of the wrestlers who rarely took time off and even continued to perform despite minor injuries. Cena said in his interview that success is not from talent but from consistent effort. This shows that success is the result of patience.
Cena reminds us not to get cocky at the top and stay humble. He is known as a friendly person, and many fans say that Cena is a professional, friendly person who appreciates fans.
John Cena is one of those people who doesn’t limit himself to just one field. He proves to us that if we can be determined, never give up, and have the desire to grow, we will be able to succeed in various aspects. From the beginning of his career as a wrestler to the big screen, recording studios, and even children’s hospitals, Cena has always given his fans the best as a performer and human being. One of his famous quotes is, “Success is not about winning all the time. It’s about learning how to grow when you lose.” The point of Cena’s career is not to be afraid to get out of your comfort zone, because we don’t know the results of what we do in the future.
By: Shalfa Shafira Rosalina
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