Top 50 Unknown and Amazing Facts About John Cena: The Rise of a Wrestling Icon

With his 16 reigns as the WWE Champion, Cena is now tied with Ric Flair for the most title wins in WWE history. But his influence goes well beyond the professional wrestling arena. With roles in high-profile Hollywood productions like Blockers (2018), Trainwreck (2015), and the Fast & Furious franchise, he has established himself as a successful actor. His portrayal of Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad (2021) cemented his standing in the motion picture business.

In addition, Cena is well-known for his charitable contributions, particularly with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where he now holds the record for most wishes fulfilled. His dedication to altruistic endeavors and his motto of “Never Give Up” have motivated innumerable admirers globally.

Here are 50 unknown and amazing facts about John Cena that even die-hard fans might not know:

Early Life and Background

1. Full Name: John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. was born on April 23, 1977, in West Newbury, Massachusetts.
2. Childhood Dream: Cena originally aspired to become a professional bodybuilder, not a wrestler.
3. Wrestling Inspiration: Cena grew up idolizing Hulk Hogan, watching him on television as a child.
4. Footballer Roots: Before wrestling, Cena played college football for Springfield College, wearing the number 54 jersey.
5. Degree in Exercise Physiology: Cena graduated from Springfield College with a degree in exercise physiology, reflecting his passion for fitness.
6. First Job: He once worked as a limo driver in Los Angeles to make ends meet while pursuing a bodybuilding career.
7. The Prototype: Before becoming “John Cena,” he wrestled under the nickname “The Prototype,” a half-man, half-machine persona.
8. Multiracial Heritage: Cena is of Italian and French-Canadian descent on his father’s side.

WWE Career and Wrestling Milestones

9. Debut Year: Cena made his WWE debut on June 27, 2002, against Kurt Angle.
10. First WWE Title: He won his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 21 in 2005, defeating JBL.
11. Record-tying Championships: Cena has won 16 WWE World Championships, tying the record held by Ric Flair.
12. Signature Moves: His finishing move, the Attitude Adjustment, was originally called the “F-U” during his feud with Brock Lesnar.
13. The Doctor of Thuganomics: Cena’s early wrestling persona was a trash-talking rapper called the “Doctor of Thuganomics.”
14. Longest WWE Title Reign: Cena held the WWE Championship for 380 days, from September 17, 2006, to October 2, 2007.
15. Royal Rumble Victories: He is a two-time Royal Rumble winner, securing victories in 2008 and 2013.
16. WrestleMania Appearances: Cena has main-evented WrestleMania five times.
17. Injury Comebacks: He made a miraculous recovery from a torn pectoral muscle, returning to the ring just four months after surgery, when he was expected to be out for a year.

Hollywood and Acting Career

18. Film Debut: Cena’s first leading role in a movie was in the 2006 action film The Marine.
19. Comedy Star: He has earned critical acclaim for his comedic roles in films like Trainwreck (2015) and Blockers (2018).
20. Peacemaker: In 2021, Cena portrayed the DC Comics character Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad and later got his own HBO Max spin-off series.
21. Voice Acting: Cena voiced characters in animated films like Ferdinand (2017) and Dolittle (2020).
22. Fast & Furious Franchise: He joined the Fast & Furious franchise, portraying Jakob Toretto, the brother of Vin Diesel’s character, in F9 (2021).
23. WWE Films: Cena has been a part of WWE Studios, starring in action-packed roles produced by the company.

Personal Life and Interests

24. Fitness Enthusiast: Cena can bench press over 400 pounds and maintains an intense workout regimen, even on movie sets.
25. Make-A-Wish Legend: He holds the record for the most wishes granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, with over 650 wishes fulfilled.
26. Fluent in Mandarin: Cena has studied and is conversationally fluent in Mandarin Chinese, which he showcased during a WWE press conference in China.
27. Prolific Reader: Cena loves reading and is an avid fan of non-fiction books, especially self-improvement and motivational topics.
28. Comic Book Collector: He is an enthusiastic comic book collector, with a special affinity for Marvel and DC characters.
29. Fashion Icon: Cena’s in-ring attire, which includes cargo shorts, sneakers, and caps, is influenced by his love for street fashion.
30. Music Career: Cena released a rap album titled You Can’t See Me in 2005, which debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 chart.
31. Beverage of Choice: Surprisingly, Cena doesn’t drink coffee, preferring to start his day with water or green tea.

Relationships and Family

32. First Marriage: Cena was married to Elizabeth Huberdeau from 2009 to 2012.
33. Second Marriage: In 2020, he married Shay Shariatzadeh, a Canadian engineer he met while filming Playing with Fire (2019).
34. Family-Oriented: Cena is the second oldest of five brothers. His younger brother, Dan, is openly gay, and Cena has been a vocal supporter of LGBTQ+ rights.
35. No Children: Despite being an advocate for children’s charities, Cena has stated that he currently does not plan to have children.
36. Household Discipline: Cena credits his parents, particularly his strict father, John Cena Sr., for his disciplined upbringing.