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John Cena On Retirement, Winning His 17th Championship, Heel Turn, Bray Wyatt Match (Interview From March 2024)

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December 26, 2024

TLDR: John Cena discusses his comedy 'Ricky Stanicky' on Amazon Prime, Wrestling with Zac Efron, insights into WWE matches and returns, favorite Championship, longevity in wrestling, personal philosophies, future Bray Wyatt match, injuries recovery, lyrics preference, things he's grateful for, and more with Chris Van Vliet.

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In the latest episode of the Chris Van Vliet podcast, superstar John Cena sat down for an insightful discussion on various topics, including his impressive wrestling career, retirement thoughts, upcoming movie roles, and the evolution of his character in WWE. This interview, aired on March 5, 2024, highlights Cena's journey as a WWE icon and an actor.

Key Highlights from the Interview

Cena's New Role in "Ricky Stanicky"

  • Cena discusses his new comedy film, "Ricky Stanicky," in which he stars alongside Zac Efron and Andrew Santino. The film is notably more adult-themed compared to his previous works and showcases his versatility as an actor.
  • Cena expresses admiration for Efron’s wrestling performance in "The Iron Claw" and shares his behind-the-scenes experiences during the film’s premiere.

Reflections on WWE Career

  • John Cena, known for his stellar career as a 16-time WWE World Champion, reflects on his time in the ring and what it means to be a part of the WWE legacy.
  • He emphasizes the camaraderie within the wrestling community by highlighting his respect for fellow wrestlers, who all played a part in shaping the industry. Cena insists, “Nobody does it alone.”
  • Cena reveals that he never truly felt he was "the guy" in WWE, attributing much of his success to others and the changing landscape of the wrestling world.

Upcoming Retirement and the Future

  • While contemplating retirement, Cena assures fans that he doesn’t intend to step away imminently but acknowledges that his wrestling days are numbered. He values the opportunity to perform and connect with audiences one final time.
  • Mentioning a powerful mantra, he often refers to “control the controllable,” which helps him navigate the highs and lows of his career.

Creative Aspirations and Potential Heel Turn

  • During the podcast, Cena discusses his past consideration of turning heel, particularly for his match against The Rock in 2012. Despite feeling ready for a shift, plans didn't materialize, and he respects the creative direction taken by WWE.
  • He expresses interest in exploring more storytelling angles, stating that a compelling narrative resonates better with fans than mere physical appeal.

Impact of Audience on Performers

  • Cena reflects on the duality of audience reactions throughout his career, notably during his peaks when fans would chant "John Cena sucks." He describes how he learned to manage criticism by leaning into the positive aspects of performance data and engagement.
  • He acknowledges the unique relationship WWE performers have with their audiences, stating that audience feedback serves as constructive criticism rather than a personal affront.

Looking Back on Iconic Moments

  • Cena fondly recalls notable career moments, including his unexpected return during the 2008 Royal Rumble after a severe injury, which he secretively recovered from ahead of schedule.
  • Discussing his favorite championship win, Cena simply states, “My next one,” showcasing his relentless drive and love for the sport.

Cena's Approach to Growth and Gratitude

  • The podcast emphasizes Cena's commitment to personal growth. He notes that he strives to be a better person every day, both in his career and life outside wrestling.
  • When asked about gratitude, Cena lists his family, health, and opportunities in his professional career as the pillars of his happiness, stressing the importance of acknowledging the journey over the accolades.

Final Thoughts

In the conversation with Chris Van Vliet, John Cena thoroughly embodies a blend of humility, ambition, and resilience. His reflections provide valuable lessons not just for wrestling fans but anyone looking to understand the power of hard work and perseverance. Ultimately, Cena's journey serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of both wrestling and personal development, leaving listeners eager to see what his next chapter holds.

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John Cena (@johncena) is an actor and professional wrestler known for being a 16-time World Champion in WWE. He sits down with Chris Van Vliet in Hollywood, CA to talk about his new comedy "Ricky Stanicky" that he stars in with Zac Efron and Andrew Santino on Amazon Prime, what he thought of Zac Efron's wrestling skills in "The Iron Claw", what he said to MJF when they met at the premiere for The Iron Claw, his approach to making movies now compared to when he made "The Marine" 20 years ago, his recent WWE return, fans singing his theme song instead of singing "John Cena sucks", his detailed plans to turn heel for his match against The Rock in 2012, his favorite Championship win, how much longer he thinks he can wrestle for, why the phrase "control the controllable" is so powerful for him, what his match with Bray Wyatt would have looked like at WrestleMania 36 if there had been a crowd, how he recovered from his torn pec so quickly in 2008, his favorite lyric from "Basic Thugonomics", three things he is grateful for and much more! Quote I'm thinking about: "Control the controllable." Sponsors: BABBEL: Learn a new language and get 50% off your lifetime Babbel subscription at http://babbel.com/cvv RHONE: Upgrade your closet with Rhone and use CVV to save 20% at https://www.rhone.com/CVV ROCKET MONEY: Join Rocket Money today and experience financial freedom: https://rocketmoney.com/cvv BETTERHELP: Get 10% off your first month with the code INSIGHT at http://betterhelp.com/insight MUDWTR: Get 15% off with the code CVV15 at http://mudwtr.com/cvv MAGIC SPOON: Get $5 off with the code CVV at http://magicspoon.com/cvv MYBOOKIE: Bet on WWE! Get up to $200 cash bonus when you use the code CVV and sign up at http://mybookie.ag BLUECHEW: Use the code CVV to get your first month of BlueChew for FREE at http://bluechew.com PLUNGE: Get $150 off your Plunge with the coupon code CVV150 at http://plunge.com BONCHARGE: Go to http://boncharge.com/CVV and use coupon code CVV to save 15% on your BONCHARGE Infrared Sauna Blanket! For more information about Chris and INSIGHT go to: https://podcast.chrisvanvliet.com If you enjoyed this episode, could I ask you to please consider leaving a short review on Apple Podcast/iTunes? It takes less than a minute and makes a huge difference in helping to spread the word about the show and also to convince some hard-to-get guests.  Follow CVV on social media:  Instagram: instagram.com/ChrisVanVliet Twitter: twitter.com/ChrisVanVliet Facebook: facebook.com/ChrisVanVliet YouTube: youtube.com/ChrisVanVliet TikTok: tiktok.com/@Chris.VanVliet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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