Legendary actor and professional wrestler John Cena has recently sat down with Shannon Sharpe at Club Shay Shay for an in-depth discussion about his journey from a small-town athlete to becoming one of the biggest names in professional wrestling and entertainment of all time. John opens up about his sports background, including playing Division 3 football as an offensive lineman, and how his initial foray into working out was driven by a desire to avoid bullying, a decision that ultimately changed his life.
John shares stories from his early life, including working odd jobs as a limo driver, assistant greenskeeper, and summer camp counselor, all while pursuing his passion for wrestling. He recalls his move to Los Angeles with dreams of becoming a bodybuilder, only to realize that his true calling was in professional wrestling just a week before joining the Marines. He explains how his journey wasn’t easy—he experienced homelessness and struggled financially even after signing a modest contract with WWF, but a lucky break on TV changed everything.
John also delves into his personal life, discussing his relationship with his father, the trauma they’re working to overcome, and how he refuses to let his past define him. Despite his success, John remains grounded, admitting that he fears complacency and continues to work hard on self-improvement. The conversation touches on his unexpected success as a platinum-selling rapper, driven by his love for hip-hop and rebellious nature, which resonated with WWE fans. John also shares his top athlete-rappers and rappers of all time, revealing his deep connection to music. John reflects on his final year in the ring, his desire for a meaningful last match, and his thoughts on the greatest wrestlers of all time.
The Face of the WWE talks about his transition to acting, how Judd Apatow’s “Trainwreck” changed his career, and his experiences in films like “Suicide Squad” and “Fast & Furious”. John doesn’t shy away from the challenges of acting, particularly the embarrassment of filming sex scenes, but embraces the opportunities that come his way. Additionally, John gives listeners a sneak peek into his latest role in Jackpot, which John found to be a natural fit based on his personality in real life.
As the episode nears its close, John offers insights into his financial philosophy. A self-proclaimed car enthusiast, John talks about his love for driving and his worst purchases, including a fake Lamborghini, while his best purchase remains his wife’s engagement ring. He shares some of the tough financial lessons he’s learned to inform listeners how they can avoid the pitfalls he’s made in the past. John shares views on personal privacy as a global superstar, and why he still doesn’t want kids despite the societal implications adopted when an individual decides to make such a lifestyle choice. Join Shannon Sharpe and John Cena for an episode packed with inspiration, candid stories, and the wisdom of a man who’s never given up.
During discussing hip-hop, John Cena was asked to name his Mount Rushmore of hip-hop, on which he replied: “JAY-Z, Eminem, NAS, Rakim. Rakim’s voice…Everyone has a bias. I know that list is obviously going to incite riots but we are all bias, we all have out favorites, that’s what makes music special. That what makes creativity. I was brought up in the East Coast, boom bap. I love wordplay. I love poetry. That’s what I based my character on so I think that’s super clever and those are [the guys]. That’s my list.” You can watch interview below:
