John Cena has risen through the professional wrestling ranks to become not just one of the sport’s most popular and bankable stars, but one of the most recognizable faces in entertainment today. With “Blockers” set to open soon, let’s take a look back at the rise of Cenation.
1999
Cena first appeared as The Prototype, a semi-robotic character, in the Ohio Valley Wrestling organization (essentially, WWE’s minor league system).
2002
Shortly after being called up to WWE’s main roster, Cena adopted a new persona: Doctor of Thuganomics, a white rapper who often spat rhymes before his matches and had a penchant for backwards baseball caps and jersey combos. This also served as the beginning of a secondary career for Cena, who recorded a rap album in 2005 (which debuted at 15 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200) and was featured on the WWE soundtrack album “WWE Originals.”
2005
After winning the WWE United States Championship the previous year, Cena defeated John “Bradshaw” Mayfield at WrestleMania 21 to win his first World Championship, solidifying his status as a wrestling star.
2006
Cena made his feature acting debut in WWE Studios’ “The Marine” opposite Robert Patrick. Along with his new wrestling persona as a marine private who sports flags and denim shorts, the movie helped make Cena the new American hero of the WWE.
2010
After a guest appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Cena was allowed to display his comedy chops on an episode of USA Network’s “Psych,” serving as a sign of things to come. Cena would return in 2017 for “Psych: The Movie.”
2012
After several years of losing and regaining the WWE Championship title, Cena entered into one of the biggest feuds in wrestling history against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. After Johnson “screwed” Cena out of a match, Cena issued a challenge against Johnson for WrestleMania 28, exactly one year later. The highest-grossing event in WWE history ended with Johnson defeating Cena with his patented “Rock Bottom” move.
2013
Cena challenged Johnson to a rematch at WrestleMania 29, a challenge that Johnson accepted. This time, Cena emerged victorious. After the match, the two stars publicly shook hands and embraced, ending their feud.
2015
2015 turned out to be a breakthrough year for Cena, who appeared in the comedy films “Sisters,” “Daddy’s Home” and “Trainwreck.” He also made a memorable guest appearance as himself in the final season of “Parks and Recreation.”
2015 (cont’d)
In addition to his wrestling fans, Cena is known and beloved for his philanthropy, particularly his work with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Cena began his relationship with the organization in 2004 and has since granted over 500 wishes.
2016
In 2016, Cena began hosting the Fox reality series “American Grit,” which pitted civilians against each other in grueling physical challenges under the guidance of seasoned military vets.
2017
Leaning into his image, Cena opened the year by playing a soldier in Doug Liman’s war thriller “The Wall” opposite Aaron Taylor-Johnson. He then appeared in “Daddy’s Home 2” before voicing a gentle bull with a big heart in “Ferdinand.”
2017 (cont’d)
After hosting the Australian Kids’ Choice Awards in 2008, Cena was invited to host the Kids’ Choice Awards in 2017. After he charmed and slimed his way into the audience’s hearts, he was invited to host again this year.
2018
Cena will soon appear in his first comedic lead role opposite Leslie Mann and Ike Barinholtz in “Blockers.” He will also co-star in the “Transformers” spinoff “Bumblebee” with Hailee Steinfeld this Christmas.
Read original story The Evolution of John Cena, from WWE’s Doctor of Thuganomics to ‘Blockers’ (Photos) At TheWrap...
1999
Cena first appeared as The Prototype, a semi-robotic character, in the Ohio Valley Wrestling organization (essentially, WWE’s minor league system).
2002
Shortly after being called up to WWE’s main roster, Cena adopted a new persona: Doctor of Thuganomics, a white rapper who often spat rhymes before his matches and had a penchant for backwards baseball caps and jersey combos. This also served as the beginning of a secondary career for Cena, who recorded a rap album in 2005 (which debuted at 15 on the U.S. Billboard Top 200) and was featured on the WWE soundtrack album “WWE Originals.”
2005
After winning the WWE United States Championship the previous year, Cena defeated John “Bradshaw” Mayfield at WrestleMania 21 to win his first World Championship, solidifying his status as a wrestling star.
2006
Cena made his feature acting debut in WWE Studios’ “The Marine” opposite Robert Patrick. Along with his new wrestling persona as a marine private who sports flags and denim shorts, the movie helped make Cena the new American hero of the WWE.
2010
After a guest appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Cena was allowed to display his comedy chops on an episode of USA Network’s “Psych,” serving as a sign of things to come. Cena would return in 2017 for “Psych: The Movie.”
2012
After several years of losing and regaining the WWE Championship title, Cena entered into one of the biggest feuds in wrestling history against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. After Johnson “screwed” Cena out of a match, Cena issued a challenge against Johnson for WrestleMania 28, exactly one year later. The highest-grossing event in WWE history ended with Johnson defeating Cena with his patented “Rock Bottom” move.
2013
Cena challenged Johnson to a rematch at WrestleMania 29, a challenge that Johnson accepted. This time, Cena emerged victorious. After the match, the two stars publicly shook hands and embraced, ending their feud.
2015
2015 turned out to be a breakthrough year for Cena, who appeared in the comedy films “Sisters,” “Daddy’s Home” and “Trainwreck.” He also made a memorable guest appearance as himself in the final season of “Parks and Recreation.”
2015 (cont’d)
In addition to his wrestling fans, Cena is known and beloved for his philanthropy, particularly his work with the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Cena began his relationship with the organization in 2004 and has since granted over 500 wishes.
2016
In 2016, Cena began hosting the Fox reality series “American Grit,” which pitted civilians against each other in grueling physical challenges under the guidance of seasoned military vets.
2017
Leaning into his image, Cena opened the year by playing a soldier in Doug Liman’s war thriller “The Wall” opposite Aaron Taylor-Johnson. He then appeared in “Daddy’s Home 2” before voicing a gentle bull with a big heart in “Ferdinand.”
2017 (cont’d)
After hosting the Australian Kids’ Choice Awards in 2008, Cena was invited to host the Kids’ Choice Awards in 2017. After he charmed and slimed his way into the audience’s hearts, he was invited to host again this year.
2018
Cena will soon appear in his first comedic lead role opposite Leslie Mann and Ike Barinholtz in “Blockers.” He will also co-star in the “Transformers” spinoff “Bumblebee” with Hailee Steinfeld this Christmas.
Read original story The Evolution of John Cena, from WWE’s Doctor of Thuganomics to ‘Blockers’ (Photos) At TheWrap...
- 4/4/2018
- by Matt Hejl
- The Wrap
Similar News
Sza and Keke Palmer to Star in Untitled Buddy Comedy at TriStar Pictures
- 4/26/2024
- by Katcy Stephan
- Variety Film + TV
Keke Palmer & Sza Teaming Up for Buddy Comedy Movie from 'Rap Sh!t' Team
- 4/26/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Keke Palmer And Sza To Star In Issa Rae-Produced Buddy Comedy From TriStar Pictures
- 4/26/2024
- by Justin Kroll and Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Producers United Is Launched By 86 Top Film & TV “Career Producers” To Change Fee Structure, Get Health Benefits & Stop Gradual Ecosystem Erosion
- 4/26/2024
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Bay Scratches His Transformers Itch with a Bizarre Post Malone-Fueled Adventure
- 4/25/2024
- by dean-black@startefacts.com (Dean Black)
- STartefacts.com
Paramount sorprende desde el espacio con el primer tráiler de ‘Transformers One’, en el que Chris Hemsworth pone voz a Optimus Prime.
- 4/25/2024
- by Marta Medina
- mundoCine
Movie Marketing Chiefs Talk ‘Barbenheimer’ Effect, Handling Reboots and the Primacy of Trailers at Variety’s Entertainment Marketing Summit
- 4/25/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
Blink Twice Trailer Reveals Zoë Kravitz's Directorial Debut (& Everyone Is Dead)
- 4/23/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
After ‘War Of The Roses’ Remake, Warren Adler Outfit Signs Two-Picture Deal With ‘The Fighter’ Producer Todd Lieberman
- 4/22/2024
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.