John Cena on Why He Looks Up to Dwayne Johnson: ‘He’s an Anomaly’
”He’s done unbelievable things in the world of sports and entertainment,“ WWE Superstar says ahead of his reunion with The Rock at Nickelodeon ”Kids’ Choice Awards“
WWE Superstars-turned-Hollywood heavyweights Dwayne Johnson and John Cena are often compared to each, but SmackDown favorite Cena says they’re not even in the same class.
“The Rock is in a conversation by himself. He is an anomaly, he’s done unbelievable things in the world of sports and entertainment,” Cena told TheWrap on Friday as he prepared to host the Nickelodeon “Kids’ Choice Awards” for the second consecutive year.
“There is only one man even involved in that conversation and it is him, he sets the bar rather high.”
Johnson and Cena will be reunited at Saturday’s “KCA” at the Forum in Los Angeles, where the “Rampage” action star may or may not get slimed. (Spoiler alert: he definitely will get slimed.)
The pair have followed remarkably similar career paths — from college football players to professional wrestling and the WWE, spring-boarding from the ring into the box office with huge hits including “The Scorpion King,” the “Fast & Furious” series, “Jumanji,” “Trainwreck,” “Ferdinand” and “Daddy’s Home” collectively.
They’re both also famed for their philanthropic work, with Johnson having launched the Dwayne Johnson Rock Foundation in 2006 and Cena holding the record for granting the most wishes in Make-A-Wish history.
“It’s guys like that who not only work hard but use their platform. He is unbelievably gifted at using social media to spread the fact that hard work is how you achieve success,” Cena marveled over his counterpart. “Hard work is also how you achieve significance. He inspires a lot of people, I don’t think he understands the depth of how much. He is someone I look up to — so if I look up to him, there’s no way we can be in the same conversation,” he said modestly.
The “Blockers” actor’s personal connection with Johnson, 45, goes back to even before 40-year-old Cena made his name in WWE.
“I sat down with him and we shared a special moment long before I stepped into a ring, he gave me his time and he was very kind and candid in his conversation. It is something I will never forget,” Cena said.
Check out both Cena and Johnson getting slimed at the “Kids’ Choice Awards,” airing on Nickelodeon Saturday at 8 p.m.
The Evolution of John Cena, from WWE's Doctor of Thuganomics to 'Blockers' (Photos)
John Cena has risen through the professional wrestling ranks to become not just one of WWE's most popular Superstars, but one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment today. With "Blockers" set to open soon, let's take a look back at the rise of Cenation.
1999
Cena first appeared as The Prototype, a semi-robotic character, in the Ohio Valley Wrestling organization (essentially, WWE's minor league system).
Ohio Valley Wrestling
2002
Shortly after being called up to WWE's main roster, Cena adopted a new persona: Doctor of Thuganomics, a white rapper who often spat rhymes before his matches and had a penchant for backwards baseball caps and jersey combos. This also served as the beginning of a secondary career for Cena, who recorded a rap album in 2005 (which debuted at 15 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200) and was featured on the WWE soundtrack album "WWE Originals."
Youtube
2005
After winning the WWE United States Championship the previous year, Cena defeated John "Bradshaw" Mayfield at WrestleMania 21 to win his first World Championship, solidifying his status as a wrestling star.
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2006
Cena made his feature acting debut in WWE Studios' "The Marine" opposite Robert Patrick. Along with his new wrestling persona as a marine private who sports flags and denim shorts, the movie helped make Cena the new American hero of the WWE.
20th Century Fox
2010
After a guest appearance on "Saturday Night Live," Cena was allowed to display his comedy chops on an episode of USA Network's "Psych," serving as a sign of things to come. Cena would return in 2017 for "Psych: The Movie."
USA Network
2012
After several years of losing and regaining the WWE Championship title, Cena entered into one of the biggest feuds in wrestling history against Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. After Johnson "screwed" Cena out of a match, Cena issued a challenge against Johnson for WrestleMania 28, exactly one year later. The highest-grossing event in WWE history ended with Johnson defeating Cena with his patented "Rock Bottom" move.
Youtube
2013
Cena challenged Johnson to a rematch at WrestleMania 29, a challenge that Johnson accepted. This time, Cena emerged victorious. After the match, the two stars publicly shook hands and embraced, ending their feud.
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2015
2015 turned out to be a breakthrough year for Cena, who appeared in the comedy films "Sisters," "Daddy's Home" and "Trainwreck." He also made a memorable guest appearance as himself in the final season of "Parks and Recreation."
Universal Pictures/NBC
2015 (cont'd)
In addition to his wrestling fans, Cena is known and beloved for his philanthropy, particularly his work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Cena began his relationship with the organization in 2004 and has since granted over 500 wishes.
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2016
In 2016, Cena began hosting the Fox reality series "American Grit," which pitted civilians against each other in grueling physical challenges under the guidance of seasoned military vets.
Michael Becker/Fox
2017
Leaning into his image, Cena opened the year by playing a soldier in Doug Liman's war thriller "The Wall" opposite Aaron Taylor-Johnson. He then appeared in "Daddy's Home 2" before voicing a gentle bull with a big heart in "Ferdinand."
Amazon Studios/Twentieth Century Fox
2017 (cont'd)
After hosting the Australian Kids' Choice Awards in 2008, Cena was invited to host the Kids' Choice Awards in 2017. After he charmed and slimed his way into the audience's hearts, he was invited to host again this year.
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2018
Cena will soon appear in his first comedic lead role opposite Leslie Mann and Ike Barinholtz in "Blockers." He will also co-star in the "Transformers" spinoff "Bumblebee" with Hailee Steinfeld, as well as voice recurring villain Baron Draxum in Nickelodeon's new animated series "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."
Universal Pictures
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The wrestling favorite seems destined to inherit The Rock’s throne on his quest from the WWE ring to movie stardom
John Cena has risen through the professional wrestling ranks to become not just one of WWE's most popular Superstars, but one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment today. With "Blockers" set to open soon, let's take a look back at the rise of Cenation.