The former WWE Champion, U.S Champion, World Tag Team Champion is a very aggressive and one the toughest professional wrestler
in the history of WWE. Weighed 240 pounds and standing 6 foot 1, he has no problem destroying his opponent with his finishing move: the FU or STFU. Well respected among other wrestlers, the young man from West Newbury, Mass, USA is known for his strong resilient and “I don’t give up” attitude. You don’t see often this WWE superstar tapped out from a submission move. In fact, they can’t see him! (Know what I mean?) Long before he became the Dr. of Thuganomics, young Cena had to endure the neighborhood rocker kids’ taunts about his baggy pants and rayon Kwamé shirts. His love for freestyling lyrics about rebellion and individualism just didn’t fit within the small rural community. By the time he turned 15, however, those same kids would stop teasing him, for it became apparent that Cena had been developing another passion: hitting the gym. After applying to more than 60 colleges (and being accepted by 58), Cena attended Massachusetts’ Springfield College, where he excelled as a Division III All-American offensive lineman and team captain for the Pride. But as much as he fondly remembers his college football accomplishments, he’s equally as proud of earning his degree in Exercise Physiology, which he attributes to
making him a smarter, more durable performer in the ring
today. Though a huge WWE fan since childhood, rooting for heroes like
Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, and Shawn Michaels, Cena had honestly never even considered a career in sports-entertainment. Instead, he flew out to California in 2000, to pursue a profession in bodybuilding (a move he now admits to making simply because his father had told him he wouldn’t make it out there). But while working behind the counter of Gold’s Gym in Venice, a discussion with a wrestler-in-training encouraged Cena to enroll in classes at Ultimate Pro Wrestling. He was instantly hooked, and became motivated to learn everything he could about his newfound craft. He obviously proved a quick study; within a year, World Wrestling Entertainment signed Cena to a developmental contract to train at Ohio Valley Wrestling. By June 2002, he had joined the
SmackDown roster, and less than a year later headlined the first of what have since become countless main-event matches. That said, Cena has never forgotten his roots. In fact, remembering where he came from has helped him evolve into the man he is today: a well-versed hip-hop artist, a successful movie star and a blue-collared Chain Gang Soldier who’s always ready to fight. In his jean shorts and Reebok Pumps, he leads his WWE fan-based army into battle with the mission statement he’s been down with since Day One: hustle, loyalty and respect. For more info on John Cena, visit
www.wwe.com .