John Cena – Career History, Personal Life and more

John Cena began his professional wrestling journey in 1999 with Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW), adopting the persona “The Prototype.” His impressive performance earned him the UPW Heavyweight Championship in April 2000. In 2001, Cena signed with the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE) and was assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where he continued to hone his skills. He captured the OVW Heavyweight Championship and the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship with Rico Constantino.

Cena made his WWE main roster debut on June 27, 2002, answering an open challenge from Kurt Angle. His early years saw the development of the “Doctor of Thuganomics” character, which resonated with fans and showcased his charisma and mic skills. Over the years, Cena became the face of WWE, headlining multiple WrestleMania events and engaging in memorable feuds with superstars like The Rock, Edge, and Randy Orton.​

Promotions

• Ultimate Pro Wrestling (1999–2001)​
• Ohio Valley Wrestling (2001–2002)​
• World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE (2002–present)

Face/Heel Turns

Throughout his WWE career, Cena has predominantly portrayed a face (heroic character). His initial run as the “Doctor of Thuganomics” had heel (villainous) tendencies, but by 2004, he transitioned into a full-fledged face, a role he has maintained for the majority of his career until February 2025 at the Elimination Chamber event.

John Cena’s Finishers

• Attitude Adjustment (AA): A fireman’s carry into a modified powerslam.​
• STF (Stepover Toehold Facelock): A submission maneuver targeting the opponent’s neck and leg.​

Theme Songs

• “Basic Thuganomics” by John Cena and Tha Trademarc​
• “The Time Is Now” by John Cena and Tha Trademarc

Tag Teams & Stables

• Chain Gang: A faction led by Cena during his “Doctor of Thuganomics” phase.​
• The Nexus: Cena was briefly (and forcibly) part of this group in 2010.​

Championships and Accomplishments

• WWE Championships:
  • 16-time World Champion (13-time WWE Champion, 3-time World Heavyweight Champion)​
  • 5-time United States Champion​
  • 2-time World Tag Team Champion (with Shawn Michaels and Batista)​
  • 2-time WWE Tag Team Champion (with The Miz and David Otunga)​
• Royal Rumble Winner: 2008, 2013​
• Money in the Bank Winner: 2012​

Notable Feuds

• The Rock: Their rivalry culminated in two WrestleMania main events (XXVIII and XXIX), each securing a victory.​
• Edge: A storied feud over the WWE Championship, highlighted by multiple title exchanges and intense matches.​
• Randy Orton: A long-standing rivalry that defined much of the mid-to-late 2000s WWE landscape.

John Cena Personal Life

John Cena was married to his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Huberdeau, from 2009 until their divorce in 2012. He later became engaged to fellow WWE superstar Nikki Bella in 2017; however, the couple separated in 2018. In 2020, Cena married Shay Shariatzadeh, an engineer he met while filming “Playing with Fire” in Canada. The couple had a private ceremony in Florida and later hosted a second celebration in Vancouver in 2022.

Acting Career

John Cena’s transition from the wrestling ring to the silver screen has been marked by a series of diverse and successful roles. His filmography showcases his versatility as an actor, adept in both action-packed and comedic roles.​

Filmography

• The Marine (2006): Cena’s debut as a leading man in this action film set the stage for his Hollywood career.​
• 12 Rounds (2009): He portrayed a detective entangled in a dangerous game orchestrated by a vengeful criminal.​
• Trainwreck (2015): Showcasing his comedic chops, Cena played Steven, the health-conscious boyfriend in this romantic comedy.​
• Ferdinand (2017): Venturing into voice acting, Cena voiced the titular character, a gentle bull who prefers flowers over bullfights.​
• Blockers (2018): In this comedy, he played a protective father trying to prevent his daughter from making a pact on prom night.​
• Bumblebee (2018): Cena took on the role of Agent Burns in this “Transformers” spin-off, balancing action with moments of levity.​
• F9 (2021): Joining the “Fast & Furious” franchise, Cena portrayed Jakob Toretto, the estranged brother of Vin Diesel’s character.​
• The Suicide Squad (2021): As Peacemaker, Cena embodied a character willing to achieve peace at any cost, leading to a spin-off series.
• Peacemaker (2022–present): Reprising his role from “The Suicide Squad,” Cena stars in this HBO Max series delving deeper into the character’s backstory.​

Retirement from Wrestling

In a heartfelt announcement on July 6, 2024, during WWE’s “Money in the Bank” event in Toronto, Cena revealed his plans to retire from professional wrestling in 2025. He expressed deep gratitude to his fans and outlined a farewell tour encompassing approximately 40 events throughout the year, culminating in his final match at WrestleMania 41.

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