John Cena Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 3, 2024
John Cena Then
John Cena, born John Felix Anthony Cena on April 23, 1977, in West Newbury, Massachusetts, U.S., embarked on a remarkable journey from a young weightlifting enthusiast to a global superstar in professional wrestling.
Cena’s fascination with bodybuilding began in his preteen years, setting the stage for his future career.
His commitment to fitness and physical excellence led him to pursue a degree in exercise physiology from Springfield College in Massachusetts in 1998.
This academic background provided him with a solid foundation in strength training and body mechanics, crucial for his later career in wrestling.
After graduating, Cena moved to California, where he began to explore opportunities beyond bodybuilding.
Encouraged by those around him, Cena decided to delve into the world of professional wrestling—a sport he had long admired, influenced by his father, who had been an announcer for wrestling events in Massachusetts under the alias Johnny Fabulous.
Cena’s passion for wrestling, combined with his impressive physical prowess, led him to enroll in wrestling classes. In 2000, he adopted the ring name “The Prototype” and began his professional wrestling career.
This marked the beginning of a storied career that would see him become one of the most recognizable and celebrated figures in the industry, blending his background in fitness with his love for the sport.
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John Cena’s Wrestling Career
John Cena’s ascent in the world of professional wrestling was both rapid and impactful.
His debut year in 2000 was marked by an impressive victory as he won the Ultimate Pro Wrestling heavyweight championship.
This early success did not go unnoticed, and Cena soon caught the attention of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
To further his career, Cena signed with Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), which served as a developmental territory for WWE at the time.
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In 2002, Cena further cemented his rising star status by winning the OVW heavyweight championship, showcasing his potential as a future WWE superstar.
Following his success in OVW, Cena began making appearances in WWE events, initially competing in the SmackDown division.
His tenure in SmackDown helped establish him as a formidable wrestler, but it was his transition to the Raw division that truly amplified his career.
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Winning the WWE championship in 2005 marked a significant milestone, as Raw is known for featuring the organization’s top wrestlers and crafting intricate storylines.
Cena’s move to Raw allowed him to engage in high-profile matches and storylines, further solidifying his status as a top-tier wrestler.
Throughout his illustrious career, Cena accumulated more than 15 WWE world championships, becoming one of the most celebrated and recognizable figures in professional wrestling.
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His persona evolved with a variety of nicknames that highlighted different aspects of his character, such as “The Perfect Man,” “The Doctor of Thuganomics,” and “The Chain Gang Soldier.” Cena’s signature moves, including the “Spinebuster” and the “Attitude Adjustment,” became fan favorites.
The “spinebuster” involved Cena lifting his opponent, spinning him around, and slamming him to the mat, while the “Attitude Adjustment” featured Cena lifting his opponent and flipping him headfirst onto his back.
These signature moves, combined with his charisma and athleticism, contributed to Cena’s enduring popularity and legacy in the wrestling world.
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John Cena Wrestling Competition
- Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW)
- Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- SmackDown
- Raw
- NXT (as part of special appearances or matches)
John Cena Movies Career
Alongside his wrestling career, John Cena ventured into acting, making a notable impact in the action film genre.
Cena’s acting debut came with the film The Marine in 2006, where he played a determined Marine who fights against a group of criminals.
This role established Cena as a credible action star, leading to further opportunities in the genre.
He continued to build his acting resume with 12 Rounds (2009), in which he portrayed a police officer forced to complete a series of dangerous challenges, and The Reunion (2011), a film about three estranged brothers reuniting under strained circumstances.
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In 2018, Cena expanded his filmography with a role in Bumblebee, a prequel to the Transformers series.
Playing a military officer, Cena’s performance added depth to the film’s action-packed narrative and showcased his ability to adapt to different roles within established franchises.
His involvement in the Fast & Furious franchise further solidified his position in Hollywood. Cena made his debut in F9: The Fast Saga (2021) as Jakob Toretto, a character who plays a crucial role in the film’s plot.
He reprised this role in the sequel, Fast X (2023), continuing his contribution to one of the most successful action series in cinema history.
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Cena’s versatility was also on display in The Suicide Squad (2021), where he portrayed Peacemaker, a character in a group of DC Comics superheroes with complex and often morally ambiguous motives.
This role not only highlighted his action prowess but also his comedic timing.
In 2024, Cena joined an impressive ensemble cast in Argylle, a film about a novelist whose spy novel becomes a reality.
This project, featuring stars like Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, and Catherine O’Hara, represents Cena’s continued evolution as an actor, moving beyond the action genre into more varied and dynamic roles.
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John Cena Wife
John Cena’s personal life has seen its share of public attention and changes. He married his first wife, Elizabeth Huberdeau, in July 2009.
However, their marriage faced challenges, and in May 2012, Cena filed for divorce, a move that reportedly surprised Huberdeau.
Their separation was highly publicized, with media coverage detailing the complexities of their split.
By July 2012, they had reached a settlement, ending their marriage after three years.
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In 2012, Cena began a relationship with fellow WWE superstar Nikki Bella. Their relationship quickly became a focal point for both fans and media.
On April 2, 2017, Cena proposed to Bella in a memorable moment following their victory over The Miz and Maryse in a tag team match at Wrestlemania 33.
The proposal was a significant event in their public lives and symbolized a deepening of their personal and professional connection.
However, their engagement ended in April 2018, leading to a brief reconciliation before they ultimately decided to part ways for good.
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Following his split from Bella, Cena’s personal life took a new direction. In early 2019, he began dating Shay Shariatzadeh, an engineer.
Their relationship was relatively low-key compared to Cena’s previous high-profile engagements.
In October 2020, Cena and Shariatzadeh were married, marking a new chapter in Cena’s life.
Their marriage was a more private affair, reflecting Cena’s desire to keep his personal life out of the public eye while continuing to balance his successful career in wrestling and acting.
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John Cena Now
As of now, John Cena, at 47 years old, continues to be a prominent figure in both professional wrestling and acting.
An American actor and professional wrestler, Cena has been a mainstay in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) since 2001.
Over the years, he has become one of the most celebrated wrestlers in the sport’s history, achieving a record 16-time world champion status, a testament to his skill, dedication, and enduring appeal.
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Despite his significant contributions to wrestling, Cena has been performing part-time since 2018, focusing more on his expanding career in acting and other ventures.
In 2024, Cena joined an illustrious ensemble cast for the film Argylle, which features stars such as Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryan Cranston, and Catherine O’Hara.
The film, centered around a novelist whose spy novel comes to life, represents Cena’s continued evolution as an actor, moving beyond his earlier roles in action films to explore more diverse and complex characters.
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Additionally, Cena maintains a strong presence on social media, particularly on Instagram, where he is highly active.
With 20.8 million followers, he regularly uploads videos and photos, keeping his fans engaged and providing insights into his life and career.
His social media presence reflects his ongoing popularity and influence, bridging his wrestling and acting careers with his personal brand.
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John Cena Net Worth
John Cena is a multifaceted American entertainer with a net worth of $80 million, reflecting his success as a professional wrestler, bodybuilder, rapper, and actor.
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FAQs
John Cena was raised in a Roman Catholic family, but he tends to keep his personal beliefs private.
As of 2024, John Cena does not have any children with his current wife, Shay Shariatzadeh.
John Cena is famous for his career as a professional wrestler with WWE, where he has achieved record-breaking success, and for his roles in action films and television.
In 2024, John Cena’s net worth is estimated at $80 million.
John Cena is currently married to Shay Shariatzadeh, an engineer.
John Cena has transitioned from being a full-time wrestler to performing part-time since 2018, focusing more on acting and other projects.
John Cena is not a full-time active wrestler; he has been performing part-time since 2018.
John Cena is primarily focusing on his acting career, with notable roles in films and television, while also maintaining his presence in the wrestling world and on social media.