Tag: John Cena

WWE Backlash 5/10/2025 (Results), Jeff Cobb Debut – John Cena attacks R-Truth at the WWE Backlash Press Conference

WWE’s first premium live event following WrestleMania XL delivered on chaos, surprises, and hard-hitting drama. With four championship matches, an unexpected debut, and a main event filled with controversy, Backlash 2025 set the tone for a turbulent summer in WWE.

United States Championship Fatal 4-Way: Jacob Fatu (c) def. Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest, and LA Knight

The United States Championship match exploded into action from the opening bell, with each man quickly rekindling post-WrestleMania rivalries. While Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest battled outside, LA Knight used the chaos to send Jacob Fatu crashing into the ring post. Momentum swung early and often, with Knight briefly taking control before Priest, McIntyre, and the champ started a cycle of signature offense.

An explosive exchange saw Fatu deliver a senton to McIntyre, only to eat Knight’s BFT, which led to a Priest chokeslam, followed by a Claymore from McIntyre — but no pinfall.

As the ring cleared, McIntyre seemed poised for victory after hitting Knight with a Claymore, but Priest yanked him out of the ring, robbing him once again. That sparked a brutal brawl between the two up the ramp and into the timekeeper’s area, culminating in Priest hitting South of Heaven off a production box through a table.

Back in the ring, Knight nearly had it won with a pair of elbow drops on Fatu — but the Samoan Werewolf refused to stay down. Just when Knight looked ready to end it, Solo Sikoa appeared to rescue the champion, dragging him to safety. That distraction allowed a mystery man, revealed to be Jeff Cobb, to ambush Knight.

Cobb demolished LA and fed him to a confused but opportunistic Fatu, who hit a moonsault for the pin. The champ retained, but his post-match stare-down with Sikoa and the debuting Cobb hinted that bigger moves may be in motion.

Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria (c) def. Becky Lynch

In a fiercely contested bout, Lyra Valkyria proved she’s more than a rising star — she’s a fighting champion. The challenger, Becky Lynch, leaned hard into her heel tendencies, taunting both the crowd and Lyra’s fiancé at ringside, using every trick in the book to get under the champ’s skin.

Despite Lynch’s mind games and underhanded tactics — including exposing a turnbuckle and going for a steel chair — Valkyria stayed composed. A key sequence saw her hit a devastating top-rope leg drop and later a Nightwing, but a delayed count due to Carr’s distraction allowed Lynch to kick out.

The finish came after a frenzied exchange of reversals and an eye poke from Lynch. Valkyria outsmarted the veteran by reversing a roll-up for the three-count. Lynch lost it post-match, refusing to release a Dis-Arm-Her on the champ. It took GM Adam Pearce and officials to restore order, with commentary speculating Valkyria may have suffered a broken nose.

Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio (c) def. Penta

Penta gave Dirty Dom all he could handle in this first-time-ever match, taking early control and stunning the champ with a destroyer on the apron. But Judgment Day’s presence loomed large, and when Penta dove onto Carlito and JD McDonagh, Finn Bálor was able to distract the referee.

That allowed El Grande Americano to strike — headbutting Penta with a loaded mask just as he prepared for a high-flying attack. Mysterio hit a frog splash to steal the win and retain the Intercontinental Championship. The Judgment Day stood tall on the ramp, looking more unified than they have in weeks.

Gunther def. Pat McAfee via Submission

Pat McAfee returned to the ring in front of a hyped St. Louis crowd, but found out quickly that Gunther doesn’t do comedy matches. The Austrian juggernaut brutalized McAfee with his signature stiff offense, but the commentator-turned-wrestler showed incredible heart.

A spirited comeback — and some help from Michael Cole, who actually grabbed Gunther’s foot — gave McAfee a glimmer of hope. A sleeper and roll-up nearly shocked the world, but in the end, Gunther’s technical dominance was too much. He choked McAfee out cold, winning via submission while sending a message that even entertainment personalities aren’t safe in his ring.

Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena (c) def. Randy Orton

In a wild, main event clash filled with mind games and veteran counters, John Cena once again walked away as Undisputed Champion — but not without controversy.

The match began with mutual gamesmanship and turned personal quickly. Cena poked Orton in the eye during a fake handshake, and it was off to the races. The Viper dished out punishment with stomps, DDTs, and even a table spot on the outside. Cena responded with multiple Attitude Adjustments and even tried a punt kick of his own.

Ref bumps, interference teases, and multiple finisher kickouts left the match teetering on chaos. After Orton fought off GM Nick Aldis’ staff, R-Truth tried to intervene, only to be dropped with an RKO. That allowed Cena to blast Orton with the championship belt. With the referee slowly getting into position, Cena covered and scored the controversial win.

Post-match, Cena declared himself the last real champion and dismissed the crowd — but when a “Thank you Cena” chant broke out, the 16-time world champ paused, appearing to fight off emotion before walking to the back, title in hand.

John Cena attacks R-Truth at the WWE Backlash Press Conference

The WWE Backlash post-show press conference in St. Louis took an unexpected turn when 17-time World Champion John Cena made a surprise appearance—one that ended with R-Truth eating a table.

After quietly exchanging a few words with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Cena took the mic to a big reaction. Levesque dubbed him the “Greatest of All-Time” before handing over the floor, and Cena stepped up in a notably subdued tone. Sounding more like one of his introspective tweets than the fiery Cena fans are used to, the champ said he felt it was time to “step forward” and address the media personally following his latest successful title defense.

Cena promised to answer any question the press had, starting with one about his longtime rival and opponent from the Backlash main event, Randy Orton. But before he could get a word in, chaos arrived in the form of R-Truth.

Bursting into the room, Truth excitedly called out for his “childhood hero,” clearly thrilled to see Cena after his big win. At first, Cena took the interruption in stride with a smile. That changed quickly when Truth, in his usual mix of comedy and confusion, mentioned that some people say Cena “sucks and can’t wrestle.”

That struck a nerve.

Cena’s demeanor darkened, warning Truth that he’d crossed a line and better not push his luck. But, of course, Truth being Truth, he didn’t stop talking.

That’s when Cena snapped—lifting Truth and sending him crashing through the press conference table in front of a stunned media crowd.

While the status of Truth after the attack hasn’t been officially updated, it’s clear that Cena’s current title run is coming with a new edge—and a much shorter fuse. As for the soul-searching Cena alluded to? If this moment is any indication, it may be leading him down a darker path than fans are used to.

John Cena Opens Up About Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Teams with Neutrogena for Awareness Campaign

John Cena has always been known for his resilience, both in and out of the wrestling ring. Now, he’s using his platform to spread an important message about skin health. The WWE legend and Hollywood star has teamed up with Neutrogena to promote their Ultra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen, revealing that he was previously diagnosed and treated for skin cancer.

Cena’s Personal Battle with Skin Cancer

In an interview with PEOPLE, Cena admitted that he had been “stubborn” when it came to sun protection, assuming he was immune to the long-term effects of sun exposure. However, after years of outdoor activity with minimal protection, he was diagnosed with skin cancer and had a cancerous spot removed from his right pectoral muscle.

“I didn’t want to have a routine, and I also thought the problem would never reach me,” Cena admitted. “It wasn’t until I went to a dermatologist, got a skin checkup, and had a cancerous spot removed from my right pec.”

Even after that first scare, Cena’s battle wasn’t over. A year later, he had another spot removed near his right shoulder, leaving visible marks that fans can actually see when he wrestles in WWE.

Spreading Awareness and Encouraging Prevention

Now, Cena is using his experience to encourage others to take sun protection seriously. He emphasized how overwhelming the statistics on skin cancer are, but noted that personal stories are what truly make an impact.

“The best way to hammer home a point is human-to-human connection,” Cena said. “That phone call is not what you want to get… because it is unpredictable, and you don’t know how bad it’s going to be.”

Through his partnership with Neutrogena, Cena hopes to educate fans on the importance of sunscreen and regular skin checkups, making sun protection a priority rather than an afterthought.

A Champion’s Message

Cena has spent decades inspiring fans with his “Never Give Up” mantra, and now he’s applying that same mindset to health advocacy. By sharing his story, he’s not only raising awareness but also encouraging people to take proactive steps in preventing skin cancer—because even superheroes like Cena aren’t invincible to the sun’s dangers.

R-Truth Struggles to Cope with John Cena’s Shocking Heel Turn at WWE Elimination Chamber

John Cena’s shocking heel turn at WWE Elimination Chamber 2025 has left the WWE Universe stunned—but perhaps no one is more affected than R-Truth. A longtime admirer of Cena, Truth has often parodied and mimicked the 16-time world champion, even calling him his childhood hero. Now, with Cena embracing the dark side in brutal fashion, Truth is struggling to accept the change.

Denial Runs Deep: “Say It Ain’t So, John”

Following Cena’s vicious assault on Cody Rhodes inside the Elimination Chamber, Truth took to social media to express his disbelief. In one of his posts on X (formerly Twitter), he questioned why Cena would do such a thing. He even went so far as to suggest that the brutal images of a bloodied Cody Rhodes were AI-generated, seemingly unable to process the reality of Cena’s betrayal.

Truth also made a subtle but telling change to his X profile header, which now reads: “Say it ain’t so, John.” It’s clear that Cena’s heel turn has hit Truth on a deeply personal level.

A Long and Complicated History

Truth and Cena’s history goes back nearly two decades. From their battles over the WWE Championship to their moments of friendship and rivalry, their paths have intertwined many times. Interestingly, Truth recently revealed that he and Cena recorded a rap song together, dispelling rumors that there was any real-life tension between them.

However, one fan on X reminded Truth of his own dark past, posting a throwback image of Truth smoking a cigarette during his 2011 heel run on Monday Night Raw. The implication? That Truth knows exactly what it’s like to embrace villainy, even if he refuses to accept Cena’s current transformation.

Could Truth Get Involved in Cena’s Feud with Cody Rhodes?

While Cena’s betrayal of Rhodes is set to play a major role in the ongoing Road to WrestleMania 41, Truth’s recent interactions with Cody on Raw raise an interesting question—could he somehow be pulled into this high-profile feud?

Cena and Truth last shared a ring on the Raw after WrestleMania 40, teaming with The Miz to defeat The Judgment Day. But with Cena now aligned with The Rock and seemingly embracing a darker persona, Truth may find himself at a crossroads. Will he stand against his former hero, or will he try to reason with the man who once inspired him?

One thing is certain: R-Truth isn’t ready to accept this new version of John Cena just yet.

UPDATE

“Just trying to stay positive,” Truth wrote on social media, sharing the music video for his new single “For Real.” The single was released on February 28, just a day before Cena joined “The Final Boss” Dwayne Johnson’s quest to take Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes’s soul.

WWE Elimination Chamber 3/1/2025 (Results) – Jade Cargill & Randy Orton Returns & John Cena’s Shocking Heel Turn

WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER QUICK RESULTS

  • Women’s Elimination Chamber: Bianca Belair def. Liv Morgan, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Naomi, and Roxanne Perez
  • Tiffany Stratton & Trish Stratus def. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae
  • Unsanctioned Match: Kevin Owens def. Sami Zayn
  • Men’s Elimination Chamber: John Cena def. CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Damian Priest, and Seth Rollins
  • Cody Rhodes refuses to sell his soul to the Rock… but John Cena is more than happy to.

WWE’s Road to WrestleMania took a jaw-dropping turn at Elimination Chamber 2025, delivering brutal showdowns, a monstrous return, and one of the most shocking betrayals in recent memory. With two Chamber matches determining title challengers for The Grandest Stage of Them All, the night was already destined for fireworks—but nobody could’ve predicted the chaos that unfolded.

Bianca Belair Earns WrestleMania Title Shot Amidst Jade Cargill’s Shocking Return

The Women’s Elimination Chamber match kicked off the night with six superstars vying for a chance to challenge for the WWE Women’s World Championship at WrestleMania. However, the match took a shocking turn before it could even get going.

Just as Liv Morgan and Naomi were set to start the match, Jade Cargill made her stunning return—and wasted no time making an impact. Instead of going after Morgan, Cargill viciously attacked Naomi, slamming her into the Lexan pod wall and leaving her unable to continue. As a result, Naomi was eliminated by forfeit before the action truly began.

From there, chaos reigned. Bianca Belair, furious over the attack on Naomi, tried to regain her focus while battling Liv Morgan, Roxanne Perez, Bayley, and Alexa Bliss. In a brutal series of eliminations, Bayley was taken out by Morgan, Perez fell to Bliss, and Morgan capitalized on an opening to eliminate Bliss.

The final two came down to Belair and Morgan, and despite Liv’s relentless offense, the EST of WWE proved why she’s one of the most dominant forces in the division. Belair planted Morgan with the KOD for the win, securing her spot at WrestleMania.

But the night wasn’t over for Belair. As she celebrated, WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley and IYO SKY emerged on the stage, staring down the new No. 1 contender in an intense moment that signaled the battle ahead.

Tiffany Stratton & Trish Stratus Score a Huge Win Over Nia Jax & Candice LeRae

The unexpected pairing of Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus proved to be a force to be reckoned with as they took on Nia Jax and Candice LeRae in tag team action.

Jax dominated early, but Stratton and Stratus worked seamlessly together to wear down their opponents. After an intense back-and-forth, Stratton sealed the victory by hitting the Prettiest Moonsault Ever on Nia Jax for the pin. With this win, Stratton continues to prove she belongs among WWE’s elite.

Kevin Owens Survives a War with Sami Zayn, Only to Face the Viper’s Wrath

In what was nothing short of an all-out war, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn tore each other apart in an Unsanctioned Match that saw steel chairs, tables, and even barbed wire come into play.

Owens ultimately secured the win after a brutal apron powerbomb, but the violence didn’t stop there. KO continued his assault on Zayn post-match, ripping the protective mats off the floor—only to be interrupted by Randy Orton!

The Viper stormed the ring and dropped Owens with an RKO, teasing an even more vicious attack. As Orton geared up for his infamous Punt Kick, a swarm of WWE officials and security rushed in to prevent him from delivering the final blow. A frustrated Orton took out several security guards with RKOs before finally leaving the ring, setting the stage for what could be a heated rivalry in the weeks to come.

John Cena Outlasts the Men’s Elimination Chamber, But His Night Was Far From Over

The Men’s Elimination Chamber match featured some of WWE’s biggest names battling for a chance to challenge for the WWE Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania.

The match started with Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins, but as the chambers opened, Damian Priest, Logan Paul, John Cena, and finally CM Punk entered the fray.

Eliminations came fast and furious, with McIntyre and Priest both taken out early, followed by Logan Paul falling to Punk’s Go to Sleep. After an intense exchange, Rollins was eliminated by Punk, leaving Cena and Punk as the final two.

In a shocking turn of events, Cena locked Punk in the STF, forcing a referee stoppage to become the No. 1 contender. But his night wasn’t over yet.

As Cena celebrated, Cody Rhodes made his entrance, setting up a dramatic face-off for the WrestleMania main event. However, what happened next stunned the entire WWE Universe.

John Cena Shocks the World, Aligns with The Rock in Brutal Betrayal of Cody Rhodes

Just as it seemed like WrestleMania’s main event was set in stone, The Rock made his way to the ring, offering Cody Rhodes a chilling ultimatum—either embrace him as his champion, or watch his dreams die again.

Rhodes, showing his signature defiance, responded with a full-throated rejection, telling The Rock to go f* himself.** The crowd erupted, but what followed was pure chaos.

Cena—who had just earned his shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship—blindsided Rhodes with a vicious low blow. The 16-time world champion then went on a rampage, repeatedly assaulting Cody with his own wristwatch, a microphone, and finally, the championship title itself.

With The Rock watching on with a sinister smile, Cena wrapped Cody’s tie around his throat and choked him, bringing back haunting memories of his past brutality.

To add insult to injury, Travis Scott, the WWE Hardcore Champion, got in on the assault, landing stiff shots on Cody. The Rock then took Rhodes’ weight belt—engraved with the date of Dusty Rhodes’ passing—and whipped Cody mercilessly.

As Cena, Rock, and Scott stood tall on the ramp, the camera lingered on Cody—a bloody, broken mess in the ring, staring up at the championship that had just been stolen from him.

The message was clear: John Cena is no longer the hero WWE fans once knew. With WrestleMania 41 on the horizon, the biggest question now is—how will Cody Rhodes respond to this unthinkable betrayal?

Final Thoughts: The Road to WrestleMania Just Got Personal

With Elimination Chamber 2025 in the books, the Road to WrestleMania has taken a dramatic, violent turn. Bianca Belair and John Cena have secured their title shots, but the bigger story is the Cena-Rock alliance and their merciless assault on Cody Rhodes.

John Cena To Compete In Last Royal Rumble Match Of His Career At WWE Royal Rumble PLE

John Cena has officially confirmed that the 2025 Royal Rumble will be his final appearance in the iconic match. In a post shared via WWE’s X (formerly Twitter), Cena revealed that his upcoming participation in the Royal Rumble on February 1, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis will mark the last time he competes in the event.

Cena, who previously announced that 2025 would be his final year as an active WWE performer, made sure to emphasize the significance of the moment, calling it a “history-making” event.

“In 2025, there will be myriad of history-making events,” Cena said. “The last time I will ever compete in a Royal Rumble event is February 1, Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, and you want to make sure you’re there. It is my last Royal Rumble as the road to WrestleMania kicks off, February 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana. Act fast as tickets are on sale this Friday. The last time is now and you should hurry up because after this, you can’t see me.”

While it’s unclear if Cena will appear in any matches prior to the Rumble, speculation continues to swirl, especially given the upcoming shift for WWE Raw to Netflix in January. Cena has an extensive legacy in the Royal Rumble match, having competed in it eight times since his debut in 2003. He won the match in both 2008 and 2013, and has had several notable finishes, including runner-up spots in 2005 and 2010 and third place in 2018.

This announcement adds even more excitement to the road to WrestleMania 40, with fans eager to see Cena one last time in one of WWE’s most anticipated annual events.

John Cena Announces Retirement Tour (Last Time Is Now), 2025 Will Be Last Year As A Wrestler

16-time WWE Champion John Cena made a surprise appearance at Money in the Bank, confirming rumors from earlier in the day, announcing that his time for retirement was now, sending the Toronto crowd into a frenzy wrought with “no” chants. Carrying a towel that slightly altered his trademark “My Time Is Now” catchphrase to say “The Last Time Is Now,” Cena’s shirt, which read, “John Cena Farewell Tour,” hinted at what he would soon make clear — that this wasn’t an imminent goodbye but seemingly a slow progression that would include plenty of lasts.

After praising Canadian WWE fans for being some of the most dedicated in the world, “The Greatest of All Time” made it clear that he wanted to be there when WWE makes history, debuting “Raw” on Netflix, but also that the 2025 Royal Rumble would be his last. He then stated the same for Elimination Chamber, as well as WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. While it initially seemed as though Cena would hang up his wrestling sneakers for good after WrestleMania, he clarified at the post-show press conference that his retirement tour will take place from January to December 2025, with approximately 30-40 matches planned. He also said that even after he retires from in-ring competition, he will still be part of WWE “in some capacity for an extended time to come.”

Personifying what remains of his competitive spirit, Cena said, “If you’re a WWE superstar, if you want some, hurry up and come get some,” leaving the fans in Toronto and at home all over the world to wonder about a series of potential dream matches they can hope to see become a reality as Cena’s swan song gets underway.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Janel Grant Spokesperson Buries Two High Profile WWE Names For Vince McMahon Association

After he resigned from WWE this January, very little regarding the happenings of former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had emerged. That changed Wednesday, when an NBC news story gave a glimpse at McMahon’s life since his resignation, particularly in how he’s handling Janel Grant’s lawsuit against him, a lawsuit that accused McMahon of sex trafficking and abuse. The story also shined a light into McMahon’s private life, including the revelation that McMahon has remained in contact with two key WWE figures in the form of John Cena and TKO board of directors member Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Shortly after the story on McMahon emerged, a spokesperson for Grant reached out to Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston with a statement regarding Johnson and Cena maintaining a relationship with McMahon. Posted on X, the statement called Johnson and Cena “shameful” for maintaining a relationship with McMahon despite the allegations against him, and that “behind-the-scenes support is louder than any public statement could ever be.”

https://twitter.com/BrandonThurston/status/1780697405152719142

The statement, as well as the revelation of Cena and Johnson’s continued association with McMahon, comes shortly after both wrestlers played integral parts in WrestleMania 40, an event seen by many as an attempt by WWE to distance itself from McMahon. Appearing as a regular through WrestleMania season, Johnson competed at Night One of WrestleMania 40, teaming with Roman Reigns to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, before interfering during Rhodes and Reigns’ match on Night Two. Cena also interfered during the match and even briefly confronted Johnson moments before Rhodes emerged as the victor.

While Johnson hasn’t publicly acknowledged McMahon since the latter’s resignation, Cena has spoken about McMahon’s ongoing situation in both 2023 and 2024, receiving criticism both times for showing McMahon support. Neither Johnson nor Cena have responded to the statement from Grant’s spokesperson at this time.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

3 WWE Legends Reportedly Expected To Have Something At WrestleMania 40

With 10 matches already announced for WrestleMania 40, and perhaps several others still to be added, WWE fans in Philadelphia and across the world will have plenty to keep up with over the course of two nights on April 6 and 7. And now, according to Dave Meltzer, they can potentially look forward to three legendary names participating in some fashion as well.

In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Meltzer reports that “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and John Cena “will have something at WrestleMania in some form.” The report also states there is no creative set in stone (specifically for Cena or Austin) currently or that, if there is, it could be a well-guarded secret. What any or all of these legends ends up doing is still predicated on several variables, including their willingness to participate and what the financial incentives might be. In Cena’s case, Meltzer says he is free from any movie obligations but “depending on what acting stuff he has and how quick after [WrestleMania] he’s filming would determine how much he can or can’t do for insurance reasons.”

Austin, of course, last appeared for WWE defeating Kevin Owens in a Street Fight at WrestleMania 38 Night One and then returned the next evening to dish out Stunners to Pat McAfee, Austin Theory, and Vince McMahon. Cena faced Theory in a losing effort at WrestleMania 39, and then returned to WWE full-time for a two-month run in late 2023, culminating in a loss to Solo Sikoa at Crown Jewel. Undertaker hasn’t officially competed in WWE since WrestleMania 36’s Boneyard Match win over AJ Styles, though he did appear on “WWE NXT” in October 2023, chokeslamming Bron Breakker.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

John Cena’s Naked Appearance At The 2024 Oscars Took A Shot At His Iconic Look

WWE star and Hollywood actor John Cena is often praised for his dedication to his craft, going above and beyond to help promote the projects that he’s involved in. At the Oscars on Sunday, Cena went buck-naked on stage to announce the winner of the Best Costume Design at the 96th Academy Awards. 

Cena walked naked to present the award, wearing nothing but Birkenstock sandals and the award winner’s envelope to cover his manhood. Host Jimmy Kimmel narrated how a streaker interrupted the Academy Awards in 1974 when actor David Niven was on stage, calling it the “craziest moment” in the award’s history. 

“Tonight is the 50th anniversary of what used to be the craziest moment of Oscar history. At the 46th Academy Awards in 1974, David Niven was in the middle of introducing Elizabeth Taylor when a nude man, a streaker, ran across the stage. Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today? I said, can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?”

As he completed the sentence, Cena peeped in from the side of the stage and tried to get Kimmel’s attention. The talk show host seemed to have to put Cena up to the task of one-upping the streaker and walking out naked, but the WWE star changed his mind just before going on stage. 

“Psst, Jimmy, come here,” Cena told Kimmel. “I can’t come here, do the thing,” Kimmel replied, seemingly referring to them agreeing to Cena streaking on stage. The two then argued with each other, with Kimmel unhappy that Cena hadn’t stuck to his promise.

“What’s going on? You’re supposed to run across the stage,” Kimmel asked the WWE star. “I changed my mind. I don’t want to do the streaker bit. I just don’t feel right about it. It’s an elegant event. Honestly, you should feel shame right now for suggesting a tasteless idea,” Cena hit back at Kimmel.

Jorts are worse than naked, Kimmel to Cena

Jimmy Kimmel argued that the bit was supposed to be a joke, which offended the buffed-up John Cena. “The male body is not a joke,” said Cena. “Mine is,” Kimmel retorted, which got a hearty laugh from the audience. Cena’s wrestling attire, especially his jorts, has been the subject of ridicule in the past, which Kimmel referred to next to persuade Cena to do the bit.

“You wrestle naked, why not,” asked Kimmel. “Dude, I don’t wrestle naked, I wrestle in jorts,” the WWE star countered. “Jorts are worse than naked,” said Kimmel.

The impasse was finally resolved when Kimmel told Cena to give out the award and not streak on stage. A very naked Cena walked sideways, gingerly to the podium, holding the envelope to cover his private parts. “Costumes,” Cena began, “they are so important. Maybe the most important thing there is.”

The former WWE Champion complained that he wouldn’t be able to open the envelope after which Kimmel came to Cena’s aid. During the announcement of the nominations for the Best Costume Design award, Cena was given a quick costume change by Kimmel as he wore what seemed like a robe. The Best Costume Design award at the 2024 Oscars was presented to Holly Waddington for the movie “Poor Things.”

Cena, who, for years, was protective of his image to cater to the PG-friendly WWE audience, has been much bolder in recent years in Hollywood. In an effort to promote his latest film “Ricky Stanicky,” Cena went the extra mile recently by creating an OnlyFans account, while he also didn’t shy away from sharing an X-rated response when asked about his favorite guilty pleasure. Cena, whose last WWE match took place at Crown Jewel in November, might make a WrestleMania 40 appearance next month, but that’s based on his acting schedule.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

John Cena Reveals When He Will Officially Retire From WWE

Former WWE Champion John Cena has become more and more of an honorary figure in WWE, his in-ring appearances dwindling with each passing year, leading many to wonder when the pro-wrestler-turned-Hollywood star will finally be calling it a career in sports entertainment. In a new interview with Entertainment Tonight, Cena made it clear that the end is near.

“I never wanted to go out there just for the sake of going out there,” Cena said on the press tour for his latest film, “Argylle.” “I’m gonna be 47 this year. I feel great. So inside I feel great, but I know what it takes to be a WWE performer night in and night out and I don’t ever wanna just go out there and do it to do it. I wanna have the passion — the same passion as the fanbase — and I wanna give them exactly what they give me. The miles on this odometer say, ‘Hey, that’s gotta be done before 50.'”

Cena reiterated that he can’t perform in the ring while shooting films for insurance reasons, meaning that outside of extenuating circumstances (like the SAG-AFTRA strike that led to his most recent run) there’s no chance of him returning to WWE full-time.

“As long as the phone keeps ringing and we’ve had some good opportunities here, I’ll kind of preserve that for as long as I can,” he said. “But even coming back for these one-at-a-time things or short three-month periods, it takes its toll more and more, and I’ve just had an incredibly fortunate run with my health. I feel great. I just want to continue to feel great the rest of my life.”

When asked if he would be in Philadelphia for WrestleMania 40, Cena played coy, saying he may or may not be free that weekend. He also left things somewhat unclear about what exactly the end of his WWE career would look like. On the one hand, he was firm in his determination to continue his streak of 23 straight years with at least one WWE match even after retirement, saying “I’ve never missed a year, and as long as I can perform, I don’t intend to miss a year.” But he also wants to make room for those coming up behind him.

“When I say I’m done — in WWE, they say never say never and a lot of people retire and come back — I’m just being honest with myself,” Cena said. “There’s such a great new generation now as well. It’s time to pass the electric energy on to the folks that can be there every day.”

Accordingly, Cena’s role as of late has seemingly been to usher in the new generation of WWE stars. His last in-ring appearance was a loss to The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa at WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, after which he was brutally beaten down by the rising star. Before that, he put over LA Knight after their tag team victory at WWE Fastlane and lost a WWE United States Championship match to then-champion Austin Theory at WrestleMania 39.

Source: Wrestling Inc.