1 00:00:01,835 --> 00:00:05,506 - I've explored a lot of new places while making this show, 2 00:00:05,539 --> 00:00:08,275 but few have impacted Sports Entertainment 3 00:00:08,308 --> 00:00:10,043 like my destination today. 4 00:00:11,311 --> 00:00:12,846 Thank you. 5 00:00:15,983 --> 00:00:17,784 - Welcome to a place of accomplishment and integrity. 6 00:00:19,219 --> 00:00:20,454 {\an8}Welcome to Hard Nocks South. 7 00:00:21,989 --> 00:00:25,959 - This is the gym of the one and only John Cena. 8 00:00:26,627 --> 00:00:28,862 John Cena is here. 9 00:00:29,296 --> 00:00:33,967 The champ is here. 10 00:00:34,635 --> 00:00:37,371 There is no longer a debate. 11 00:00:37,404 --> 00:00:40,007 John Cena is the GOAT. 12 00:00:41,375 --> 00:00:44,978 - John Cena's life has been a series of twists and turns. 13 00:00:45,412 --> 00:00:48,181 From his humble beginnings as an outcast in West Newbury, 14 00:00:48,215 --> 00:00:53,820 Massachusetts, to a record setting 17 time WWE World 15 00:00:53,854 --> 00:00:55,856 Champion and Hollywood star. 16 00:00:56,723 --> 00:00:59,593 {\an8}- Please welcome everybody's favorite- 17 00:00:59,660 --> 00:01:00,727 John Cena. 18 00:01:01,228 --> 00:01:02,429 You can't see me. 19 00:01:02,496 --> 00:01:03,664 Oh, I'm a delicate flower. 20 00:01:05,232 --> 00:01:10,037 - John has truly done it all with one constant throughout. 21 00:01:10,070 --> 00:01:12,739 An iron paradise to call home. 22 00:01:14,341 --> 00:01:16,743 - This place has been a functioning part 23 00:01:16,777 --> 00:01:18,779 of my life for 20 years. 24 00:01:18,845 --> 00:01:20,347 Mhm. 25 00:01:20,380 --> 00:01:23,517 - It's evolved just as I have through the 25 years of WWE, 26 00:01:23,550 --> 00:01:27,754 but as it evolves, it still is a very functional part of my life. 27 00:01:28,288 --> 00:01:29,790 - An important part of your life? 28 00:01:29,856 --> 00:01:30,857 Very much so. 29 00:01:32,859 --> 00:01:36,296 - I'm Stephanie McMahon and I love WWE. 30 00:01:36,363 --> 00:01:40,100 Stephanie McMahon. 31 00:01:40,133 --> 00:01:42,970 - I'm on a quest to hear the stories behind the biggest 32 00:01:43,036 --> 00:01:46,540 superstars and legends in WWE history. 33 00:01:46,573 --> 00:01:47,941 Here we go. 34 00:01:48,575 --> 00:01:52,145 So come join me on the trip of a lifetime. 35 00:01:57,951 --> 00:01:59,553 You picked this location? 36 00:01:59,586 --> 00:02:01,121 Yeah. 37 00:02:01,154 --> 00:02:04,124 - So tell me about where we are and why it means so much to you. 38 00:02:04,157 --> 00:02:07,494 - So we are in the halls of Hard Nocks South. 39 00:02:07,561 --> 00:02:09,896 We open the doors here in 2008. 40 00:02:09,930 --> 00:02:11,732 - What made you want to start this gym? 41 00:02:12,099 --> 00:02:13,934 Uh, believe it or not, 42 00:02:13,967 --> 00:02:15,902 I was just sick of working out at [bleep] places. 43 00:02:15,936 --> 00:02:18,171 This building came up, and uh- 44 00:02:18,238 --> 00:02:19,773 bought it. 45 00:02:19,806 --> 00:02:23,310 - The name Hard Nocks South is taken from the original location 46 00:02:23,343 --> 00:02:26,613 in Amesbury, Massachusetts, where John trained during 47 00:02:26,647 --> 00:02:29,182 his formative years. 48 00:02:29,249 --> 00:02:33,020 - This is a very safe space for conversation to be kicked 49 00:02:33,086 --> 00:02:37,157 around, for you to have a bad day but not stay in a bad day. 50 00:02:37,190 --> 00:02:40,127 Like in here, we right the ship. 51 00:02:40,160 --> 00:02:44,364 - I've never trained even when I didn't want to and ever said, 52 00:02:44,431 --> 00:02:45,465 "Man, I wish I didn't do that." 53 00:02:45,499 --> 00:02:46,767 No kidding, right? 54 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:48,902 - Hearing John talk about his gym, 55 00:02:48,935 --> 00:02:51,672 it's obvious how much he cares about it. 56 00:02:51,738 --> 00:02:53,740 And it's not just important to him. 57 00:02:53,774 --> 00:02:57,778 It's important to a particular part of WWE history. 58 00:02:59,246 --> 00:03:04,785 Before the creation of the WWE Performance Center in 2013. 59 00:03:04,818 --> 00:03:07,287 {\an8}Many up and coming WWE superstars 60 00:03:07,320 --> 00:03:12,492 {\an8}trained right here as they look to follow in John's footsteps. 61 00:03:12,526 --> 00:03:14,661 {\an8}- You had our golden years, so to speak, 62 00:03:14,695 --> 00:03:17,931 from like 2009 to 2015. 63 00:03:17,964 --> 00:03:20,534 Right next to the huge American flag is the top ten 64 00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:22,769 of all time list. 65 00:03:22,803 --> 00:03:25,005 These are all time bests of the gym. 66 00:03:25,038 --> 00:03:27,274 It is Ettore's world and we're all just living in it. 67 00:03:27,307 --> 00:03:28,775 {\an8}[laughing] 68 00:03:28,809 --> 00:03:31,044 {\an8}This is a 575 raw bench. 69 00:03:31,111 --> 00:03:34,614 That puts him in a very elite class world actually. 70 00:03:34,648 --> 00:03:44,658 [yelling] 71 00:03:47,728 --> 00:03:51,498 - It's been really cool to see it evolve from the weightlifting 72 00:03:51,531 --> 00:03:54,468 competitions that we used to have in, like the Camelot era of 73 00:03:54,501 --> 00:03:58,238 '09 to 1'5, to like, it's kind of a place where the families 74 00:03:58,305 --> 00:03:59,406 all get together now. 75 00:04:00,874 --> 00:04:02,576 Here we are sitting in the gym, 76 00:04:02,642 --> 00:04:04,411 one of us dressed for the occasion. 77 00:04:04,478 --> 00:04:08,048 [laughing] 78 00:04:08,081 --> 00:04:09,483 You know 79 00:04:09,516 --> 00:04:11,651 it's like a big thing to figure out what to wear, right? 80 00:04:11,685 --> 00:04:13,320 Especially as a woman, and so- 81 00:04:13,353 --> 00:04:14,855 - We both should have communicated. 82 00:04:14,888 --> 00:04:16,223 - And, you know, I thought about that. 83 00:04:16,256 --> 00:04:18,191 I'm like, "I should have texted him last night and-" 84 00:04:18,225 --> 00:04:20,193 - We should have, we should have planned this out. 85 00:04:20,594 --> 00:04:22,162 - Well, I didn't know- 86 00:04:22,195 --> 00:04:23,497 I didn't know if you were going to try to make me do something. 87 00:04:23,530 --> 00:04:25,599 So I came ready. 88 00:04:26,032 --> 00:04:29,169 - Now that I know I should have dressed more professionally, 89 00:04:29,202 --> 00:04:31,404 I was eager to learn more about John 90 00:04:31,438 --> 00:04:35,041 and how he first discovered WWE. 91 00:04:35,075 --> 00:04:38,779 Do you remember your first exposure to WWE? 92 00:04:38,845 --> 00:04:42,949 - Yeah, you guys did something in conjunction with MTV to build 93 00:04:43,016 --> 00:04:44,451 up WrestleMania 1. 94 00:04:44,518 --> 00:04:46,887 - I'm the Incredible Hulk Hogan, the main man in your rock 95 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:48,889 wrestling connection around MTV. 96 00:04:49,623 --> 00:04:54,194 - MTV showed the entire match of Hogan Shiek- 97 00:04:54,227 --> 00:04:56,630 MSG where Hogan won the championship. 98 00:04:57,063 --> 00:04:58,865 He got him. 99 00:04:59,399 --> 00:05:01,301 We have a new champion. 100 00:05:02,068 --> 00:05:05,739 - I'm 7 to 8 years old and now I'm like, 101 00:05:05,772 --> 00:05:07,607 "Yo, this is the coolest thing ever." 102 00:05:08,208 --> 00:05:09,543 Oh, they're at it. 103 00:05:09,576 --> 00:05:10,710 It's underway. 104 00:05:10,744 --> 00:05:11,578 Look at this. 105 00:05:11,611 --> 00:05:12,779 Back and forth. 106 00:05:12,813 --> 00:05:14,281 Hulk raking the eyes of "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. 107 00:05:15,115 --> 00:05:17,083 It was so larger than life. 108 00:05:17,117 --> 00:05:19,119 It was so incredible. 109 00:05:19,653 --> 00:05:23,123 Especially to a young mind of, like, "Man superheroes are real. 110 00:05:23,156 --> 00:05:24,958 Can you believe this is happening?" 111 00:05:24,991 --> 00:05:26,793 - It was the rock wrestling connection. 112 00:05:26,827 --> 00:05:28,562 Everything we stand for. 113 00:05:30,063 --> 00:05:32,933 - I was around for the rock and wrestling connection, and I was 114 00:05:32,966 --> 00:05:34,234 a huge fan of MTV. 115 00:05:34,267 --> 00:05:35,602 That's all I ever watched. 116 00:05:35,635 --> 00:05:36,469 Of course. 117 00:05:36,503 --> 00:05:37,904 - So for me to also see it- 118 00:05:37,938 --> 00:05:38,605 - We're the same- 119 00:05:38,638 --> 00:05:39,606 Yeah, yeah. 120 00:05:39,639 --> 00:05:41,608 I'm a little older than you are. 121 00:05:41,641 --> 00:05:43,276 By like a few months. 122 00:05:43,310 --> 00:05:44,644 I'm still older. 123 00:05:44,678 --> 00:05:46,479 - Well, children of the same generation. 124 00:05:46,513 --> 00:05:47,347 Mhm. 125 00:05:47,414 --> 00:05:50,016 Because wrestling was on MTV. 126 00:05:50,083 --> 00:05:51,751 I got to watch MTV. 127 00:05:52,085 --> 00:05:54,621 I watched that in my next door neighbor acres away. 128 00:05:54,654 --> 00:05:56,089 You had to go through a path in the woods 129 00:05:56,122 --> 00:05:57,324 to get to this kid's house. 130 00:05:57,357 --> 00:05:59,759 My parents wouldn't let us watch MTV. 131 00:05:59,793 --> 00:06:01,261 Okay. 132 00:06:01,294 --> 00:06:03,763 - And we could always watch MTV at this other kid's house. 133 00:06:03,797 --> 00:06:05,432 - Who's the first artist you fell in love with? 134 00:06:05,465 --> 00:06:08,602 - I remember specifically all the stuff that 135 00:06:08,635 --> 00:06:11,471 I wasn't supposed to listen to. 136 00:06:11,504 --> 00:06:14,441 2 Live Crew from Miami, 137 00:06:14,474 --> 00:06:16,710 N.W.A. From the West Coast. 138 00:06:16,776 --> 00:06:20,947 And because I was the one kid in an area who really connected 139 00:06:20,981 --> 00:06:24,651 with this as a rebellious way to say [bleep] you to my parents, 140 00:06:24,684 --> 00:06:27,454 I embraced everything. 141 00:06:27,487 --> 00:06:30,957 The high top fade, the airbrushed overalls. 142 00:06:30,991 --> 00:06:33,360 I was wearing my jerseys backwards. 143 00:06:33,393 --> 00:06:34,628 - One-one strap. 144 00:06:34,661 --> 00:06:35,862 One strap, of course. 145 00:06:35,896 --> 00:06:36,830 Strap down. 146 00:06:36,863 --> 00:06:38,031 [laughing] 147 00:06:38,064 --> 00:06:39,332 Yes, of course, of course. 148 00:06:39,366 --> 00:06:40,400 Come on. 149 00:06:40,467 --> 00:06:41,835 Compounding interest. 150 00:06:41,868 --> 00:06:44,704 My brother Steve was a nerd, and he was in high school. 151 00:06:44,738 --> 00:06:46,006 And, like, it's a small town. 152 00:06:46,039 --> 00:06:47,574 So, like, the junior high's here. 153 00:06:47,641 --> 00:06:48,475 The high school is here. 154 00:06:48,508 --> 00:06:50,143 They lined the busses up. 155 00:06:50,176 --> 00:06:51,544 My bus happened to be here. 156 00:06:51,578 --> 00:06:53,580 So I have to walk through all the high school kids. 157 00:06:53,647 --> 00:06:54,748 Boy, am I an easy target. 158 00:06:54,814 --> 00:06:56,583 There's the kid in turquoise polka dots 159 00:06:56,650 --> 00:06:57,817 with the high top fade- 160 00:06:57,851 --> 00:06:59,586 "[Bleep] off kid." 161 00:06:59,653 --> 00:07:00,654 I was getting bullied. 162 00:07:01,054 --> 00:07:02,923 And how did you handle that? 163 00:07:02,989 --> 00:07:05,892 - So I was like, "Man, I don't want to learn how to fight. 164 00:07:05,926 --> 00:07:11,031 But if I make myself stronger, maybe they'll leave me alone." 165 00:07:11,064 --> 00:07:13,266 And then my grandfather finally convinced my dad to get me a 166 00:07:13,333 --> 00:07:17,237 weight set for my 12th Christmas gift. 167 00:07:17,270 --> 00:07:20,573 My parents gave me, like, my own corner of the house. 168 00:07:20,607 --> 00:07:24,244 It was very small, but it was like a nice little space 169 00:07:24,277 --> 00:07:25,845 where I could go and be me. 170 00:07:25,879 --> 00:07:28,181 I could play my rap music and no one would mess around with me. 171 00:07:28,214 --> 00:07:30,450 So that became a part of the routine. 172 00:07:31,685 --> 00:07:33,453 Well, when we got to high school and I was a freshman, 173 00:07:33,520 --> 00:07:35,355 I'd already been lifting weights for like two and 174 00:07:35,388 --> 00:07:36,122 a half years- 175 00:07:36,189 --> 00:07:37,290 Mhm. 176 00:07:37,357 --> 00:07:38,892 - -and that helped me gain a little bit of 177 00:07:38,925 --> 00:07:42,228 fluency in football, which, "Oh man, you can help our team win. 178 00:07:42,262 --> 00:07:43,430 You're all right. 179 00:07:43,463 --> 00:07:44,564 You're pretty cool." 180 00:07:44,597 --> 00:07:45,231 I- 181 00:07:45,265 --> 00:07:45,799 - You became a part- 182 00:07:45,865 --> 00:07:46,466 Yes. 183 00:07:46,533 --> 00:07:47,367 Part of the team. 184 00:07:47,400 --> 00:07:48,768 Yes. 185 00:07:48,802 --> 00:07:52,072 - John succeeded on the gridiron, earning a spot on the 186 00:07:52,105 --> 00:07:54,074 {\an8}Springfield College football team, 187 00:07:54,107 --> 00:07:57,610 where he became an NCAA All-American. 188 00:07:58,445 --> 00:08:01,114 - So I was in like, what did I want out of life? 189 00:08:01,147 --> 00:08:04,084 I just graduated with a degree in Ex/Phys. 190 00:08:04,117 --> 00:08:06,619 This was just after the year 2000. 191 00:08:06,653 --> 00:08:08,621 The base of health and fitness was certainly 192 00:08:08,655 --> 00:08:09,923 in Southern California. 193 00:08:09,956 --> 00:08:11,124 Mhm. 194 00:08:11,157 --> 00:08:13,827 - Kind of all roads led through Los Angeles. 195 00:08:14,794 --> 00:08:19,065 I landed with two duffel bags full of clothes and 500 bucks. 196 00:08:19,099 --> 00:08:20,567 You have quite a story. 197 00:08:20,600 --> 00:08:21,568 Right? 198 00:08:21,601 --> 00:08:22,902 I mean, when you first started off, 199 00:08:22,936 --> 00:08:25,238 you were living out of your car. 200 00:08:25,271 --> 00:08:27,640 - And by choice, though, I don't I don't want to paint that as, 201 00:08:27,707 --> 00:08:29,275 like, a "Woe is me." 202 00:08:29,309 --> 00:08:30,944 - But what's it like living out of your car? 203 00:08:30,977 --> 00:08:31,945 It was dope. 204 00:08:31,978 --> 00:08:32,979 Yeah? 205 00:08:33,046 --> 00:08:34,481 - It was a 91 Lincoln Continental. 206 00:08:34,547 --> 00:08:38,385 I was 20 years old, so I felt bulletproof every day. 207 00:08:38,418 --> 00:08:41,221 I didn't know what joint pain felt like. 208 00:08:41,254 --> 00:08:42,255 [laughing] 209 00:08:42,288 --> 00:08:43,723 I had a nice big back seat, 210 00:08:43,757 --> 00:08:45,392 and the front seat, reclined. 211 00:08:45,425 --> 00:08:47,127 I mean, those those cars were big. 212 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:47,927 And you had a radio. 213 00:08:47,961 --> 00:08:48,728 I had a radio. 214 00:08:48,762 --> 00:08:49,462 I had AC. 215 00:08:49,496 --> 00:08:50,463 No satellite. 216 00:08:50,497 --> 00:08:51,731 No satellite at the time. 217 00:08:51,765 --> 00:08:54,134 - But like, I got to sleep in the parking lot 218 00:08:54,167 --> 00:08:56,603 of Gold's wake up. 219 00:08:56,636 --> 00:08:59,406 Use the locker room to shower, clock in, get paid to be there, 220 00:08:59,439 --> 00:09:01,107 and then train after hours. 221 00:09:01,141 --> 00:09:03,777 - So I did not know that you wanted to be a Marine before 222 00:09:03,810 --> 00:09:05,912 you got into WWE. 223 00:09:05,945 --> 00:09:11,084 - So I chose the Marines because I failed at everything else. 224 00:09:11,785 --> 00:09:13,987 I tried to apply my degree and no strength company 225 00:09:14,020 --> 00:09:16,156 would take me or fitness company would take me. 226 00:09:16,656 --> 00:09:17,590 I tried to be a cop. 227 00:09:17,624 --> 00:09:19,159 I failed the CHP exam. 228 00:09:19,192 --> 00:09:22,595 Like I was like, man, I kind of just working the front desk at 229 00:09:22,629 --> 00:09:24,798 Gold's Venice and that's enough. 230 00:09:24,831 --> 00:09:26,099 Like, I get to train every day. 231 00:09:26,132 --> 00:09:26,800 It's cool. 232 00:09:26,833 --> 00:09:28,968 I'm well fed, I'm good. 233 00:09:29,002 --> 00:09:30,970 But I got to I got to think more long term, like, 234 00:09:31,004 --> 00:09:32,505 "What's the next play?" 235 00:09:32,539 --> 00:09:34,607 And I wanted to remain physical. 236 00:09:34,641 --> 00:09:38,344 I wanted to to keep myself at a top level of performance. 237 00:09:38,378 --> 00:09:41,815 And I'm like "The Marines, they they pretty much seem 238 00:09:41,848 --> 00:09:43,283 like they would do that." 239 00:09:43,316 --> 00:09:45,318 So I was just gonna drive down and sign up and like, 240 00:09:45,351 --> 00:09:47,720 literally the weekend I was going to go, um, my buddy was 241 00:09:47,787 --> 00:09:49,556 like, "Man, we're training over in Orange County." 242 00:09:49,622 --> 00:09:51,391 Would you ever want to do that? 243 00:09:51,458 --> 00:09:53,159 I was like, "I'll take a look at it." 244 00:09:53,193 --> 00:09:54,861 And I remember driving into LA Boxing. 245 00:09:54,894 --> 00:09:57,664 It's a one story glass building, and I could see the ring through 246 00:09:57,697 --> 00:10:01,968 the glass and I was like, I will deal with the suck. 247 00:10:02,001 --> 00:10:04,537 Monday through Friday, because on the weekends 248 00:10:04,571 --> 00:10:06,239 I'll be a superhero. 249 00:10:06,306 --> 00:10:08,875 And that's how I approached it. 250 00:10:09,742 --> 00:10:12,979 - John dove head first into the wrestling business and became 251 00:10:13,012 --> 00:10:16,249 known as The Pprototype. 252 00:10:16,316 --> 00:10:17,750 Oh Protobomb. 253 00:10:17,817 --> 00:10:18,418 Wait a minute. 254 00:10:18,485 --> 00:10:19,586 Two, three. 255 00:10:19,652 --> 00:10:21,054 That's it folks. 256 00:10:22,088 --> 00:10:25,425 Catching the attention of WWE. 257 00:10:25,859 --> 00:10:31,064 John Cena made his official WWE debut in 2002 against one of the 258 00:10:31,097 --> 00:10:34,934 biggest legends in the history of amateur and professional 259 00:10:35,001 --> 00:10:39,005 wrestling, Hall of Famer Kurt Angle. 260 00:10:39,672 --> 00:10:46,246 - What is the one quality that you possess that makes you think 261 00:10:46,279 --> 00:10:49,749 that you can walk out here and come into the ring and face the 262 00:10:49,782 --> 00:10:51,618 very best in the business? 263 00:10:54,687 --> 00:10:57,724 Ruthless aggression. 264 00:10:57,757 --> 00:10:59,125 Oh. 265 00:10:59,192 --> 00:11:00,293 Oh, man. 266 00:11:00,360 --> 00:11:02,095 - You see, the kid's taking Angle down. 267 00:11:03,897 --> 00:11:08,601 - I remember being fortunate enough to get my first contract 268 00:11:08,635 --> 00:11:12,972 and then being like, I have made it in life because I have a 269 00:11:13,039 --> 00:11:16,709 chance to do this as a vocation, and I'm never going 270 00:11:16,743 --> 00:11:18,311 to have to wear a suit. 271 00:11:18,378 --> 00:11:19,946 I have beat the system. 272 00:11:20,880 --> 00:11:24,117 - With John's initial impact waning, his excitement for the 273 00:11:24,150 --> 00:11:26,452 business soon turned sour. 274 00:11:26,953 --> 00:11:28,788 Frustration by John Cena. 275 00:11:28,821 --> 00:11:30,390 - He needs to keep his cool a little bit, 276 00:11:30,423 --> 00:11:31,791 but John Cena is still a rookie. 277 00:11:31,824 --> 00:11:33,927 He's got tons of skills, though in that ring. 278 00:11:33,960 --> 00:11:37,330 - He felt his on screen character was too generic and 279 00:11:37,397 --> 00:11:39,966 the audience wasn't connecting with him. 280 00:11:40,667 --> 00:11:43,469 - This is another thing I love about Sports Entertainment. 281 00:11:43,503 --> 00:11:45,772 You know, if you sucked right away and there 282 00:11:45,805 --> 00:11:47,640 {\an8}are many nights I have sucked. 283 00:11:50,510 --> 00:11:53,479 I wasn't stressed to be like, got to be perfect. 284 00:11:53,513 --> 00:11:57,450 I was more stressed in the fact that I didn't know who I was. 285 00:11:58,651 --> 00:12:02,088 - Often times when someone is looking to find themselves, 286 00:12:02,121 --> 00:12:06,025 all they need to do is focus on what they love. 287 00:12:06,092 --> 00:12:10,697 For John Cena, he realized there was a lifestyle and a soundtrack 288 00:12:10,763 --> 00:12:13,099 that had been with him all along- 289 00:12:13,132 --> 00:12:15,134 Inside is a jump off. 290 00:12:15,168 --> 00:12:16,669 - -Hip-hop. 291 00:12:17,670 --> 00:12:21,941 One day John was freestyling on the WWE bus. 292 00:12:21,975 --> 00:12:25,645 I was blown away when he impromptu rapped for me about 293 00:12:25,678 --> 00:12:28,314 the tuna fish sandwich I was eating. 294 00:12:28,348 --> 00:12:32,051 I was part of the WWE creative team at the time, and thought 295 00:12:32,118 --> 00:12:35,488 "This talent could be exactly what he needed." 296 00:12:35,989 --> 00:12:38,891 - You happen to overhear me like and then you being like, 297 00:12:38,958 --> 00:12:40,326 "Yeah, you want to do this on TV?" 298 00:12:40,727 --> 00:12:43,463 - Welcome to the SmackDown Halloween party. 299 00:12:44,864 --> 00:12:47,834 - I learned from not standing out to stand out. 300 00:12:48,835 --> 00:12:49,402 I gotta go. 301 00:12:49,469 --> 00:12:50,737 It's been a blast. 302 00:12:50,803 --> 00:12:52,572 Came out the locker room, stole Rey Mysterio mask. 303 00:12:52,639 --> 00:12:55,908 Tried to get Taker's cast, but it was blasted on too tight. 304 00:12:55,975 --> 00:12:56,409 Peace. 305 00:12:56,476 --> 00:12:57,243 I got to go. 306 00:12:57,310 --> 00:12:58,244 About to hotwire this bike. 307 00:12:59,512 --> 00:13:01,080 Oh. 308 00:13:02,315 --> 00:13:05,418 - John had finally discovered his character. 309 00:13:05,485 --> 00:13:10,323 - John Cena, the Dr. of Thuganomics. 310 00:13:10,356 --> 00:13:12,392 As the Dr. of Thuganomics, 311 00:13:12,425 --> 00:13:15,828 Cena's notoriety grew by going after superstars 312 00:13:15,862 --> 00:13:17,096 like The Undertaker. 313 00:13:17,597 --> 00:13:19,065 Fans won't even miss you. 314 00:13:19,098 --> 00:13:21,668 You ain't a dead man. 315 00:13:21,701 --> 00:13:24,337 You just a dead issue. 316 00:13:24,370 --> 00:13:28,508 - And over the next few years, his career flourished. 317 00:13:28,541 --> 00:13:30,276 His character evolved. 318 00:13:30,343 --> 00:13:36,549 He became a multi-time world champion and ultimately a hero 319 00:13:36,582 --> 00:13:38,618 to fans all over the world. 320 00:13:39,452 --> 00:13:43,756 As John stardom grew, he found even more ways to connect with 321 00:13:43,790 --> 00:13:45,625 the WWE universe. 322 00:13:46,426 --> 00:13:48,127 John Cena. 323 00:13:48,194 --> 00:13:52,799 Oh how you hurt my hand. 324 00:13:52,865 --> 00:13:54,667 You are the number one 325 00:13:54,701 --> 00:13:56,402 Make-A-Wish granter of all time. 326 00:13:56,869 --> 00:13:57,370 One. 327 00:13:57,403 --> 00:13:57,937 Two. 328 00:13:58,004 --> 00:13:58,771 Three. 329 00:13:58,838 --> 00:14:01,274 You can't see me. 330 00:14:03,109 --> 00:14:04,077 You are strong. 331 00:14:04,110 --> 00:14:06,245 "The champ is here." 332 00:14:06,279 --> 00:14:07,680 I like that one the best. 333 00:14:08,214 --> 00:14:09,849 It's a charity that I've come to know and love. 334 00:14:09,882 --> 00:14:12,585 I admire the fact that we can bring people into our world who 335 00:14:12,618 --> 00:14:17,390 are going through somewhat of a difficult time, give them a 336 00:14:17,423 --> 00:14:18,257 day's worth of escape, or give them an experience 337 00:14:18,291 --> 00:14:19,025 that they'll never forget. 338 00:14:19,058 --> 00:14:20,259 I beg your pardon? 339 00:14:20,293 --> 00:14:23,229 - If I get stuck, I may have to ask you. 340 00:14:24,464 --> 00:14:26,699 And then you get immediate suspension of disbelief. 341 00:14:26,733 --> 00:14:28,434 You get a true day off. 342 00:14:28,768 --> 00:14:31,537 - Ladies and gentlemen, this is KJ- 343 00:14:31,571 --> 00:14:37,143 And the champ is here. 344 00:14:37,210 --> 00:14:38,544 Anytime, 345 00:14:38,578 --> 00:14:39,379 it's like, "Oh, Make-A-Wish wants you to do this. 346 00:14:39,412 --> 00:14:39,912 No problem. 347 00:14:39,946 --> 00:14:41,114 Let's do it." 348 00:14:42,648 --> 00:14:44,117 People who have setbacks and they have one wish is to, uh, 349 00:14:44,150 --> 00:14:45,585 to spend some time with you. 350 00:14:46,886 --> 00:14:49,222 I mean, that's it. 351 00:14:50,456 --> 00:14:55,294 - Now, John Cena has granted over 600 wishes in his career. 352 00:14:56,162 --> 00:14:56,963 This is it. 353 00:14:56,996 --> 00:14:58,798 Say hi to everybody at home. 354 00:14:58,831 --> 00:15:00,433 Hi Willy. 355 00:15:00,466 --> 00:15:02,168 We're at WrestleMania. 356 00:15:02,235 --> 00:15:04,804 - It's not just about meeting the person, right- 357 00:15:04,837 --> 00:15:06,072 The Superstar- 358 00:15:06,105 --> 00:15:08,775 But then it's about the ultimate distraction. 359 00:15:09,742 --> 00:15:11,577 Perfecto. 360 00:15:11,844 --> 00:15:13,179 Aww. 361 00:15:14,747 --> 00:15:17,183 - That child doesn't have to think about being sick or what 362 00:15:17,250 --> 00:15:19,952 medications they're going to take. 363 00:15:19,986 --> 00:15:25,658 And those parents are watching their child be free of all of 364 00:15:25,691 --> 00:15:31,030 that and hopefully free of pain for a few moments. 365 00:15:31,531 --> 00:15:34,867 So just thank you for making such a difference in providing 366 00:15:34,934 --> 00:15:38,438 so much hope to so many kids and their families 367 00:15:38,471 --> 00:15:40,306 throughout all these years. 368 00:15:41,674 --> 00:15:44,510 - The cool thing about those moments is I can tell because of 369 00:15:44,544 --> 00:15:47,713 how emotional you are, that it's an absolute boomerang. 370 00:15:48,614 --> 00:15:50,216 Whatever you think you give to somebody, 371 00:15:50,283 --> 00:15:52,151 they give back to you exponentially. 372 00:15:52,785 --> 00:15:55,388 But I don't need to thank you because I was there. 373 00:15:55,455 --> 00:15:56,689 That's enough. 374 00:15:58,324 --> 00:16:02,295 - John's natural charisma shined through both in and out of the 375 00:16:02,328 --> 00:16:06,632 ring, and this time it was Hollywood that took notice. 376 00:16:06,999 --> 00:16:09,469 - Right now we have the John Cena 377 00:16:09,502 --> 00:16:10,169 Fun Day. 378 00:16:10,203 --> 00:16:11,671 We're premiering Fast X. 379 00:16:11,704 --> 00:16:12,538 It's a great movie. 380 00:16:12,572 --> 00:16:13,639 We got a great crowd out there. 381 00:16:13,673 --> 00:16:15,174 [crowd cheers] 382 00:16:15,208 --> 00:16:19,312 - As his star continued to rise, John began to split his time 383 00:16:19,345 --> 00:16:23,049 between WWE and the big screen. 384 00:16:23,082 --> 00:16:25,218 And his blossoming film career 385 00:16:25,251 --> 00:16:27,587 led him to the love of his life. 386 00:16:29,021 --> 00:16:29,989 Here's a big question. 387 00:16:30,022 --> 00:16:31,190 Yeah. 388 00:16:31,224 --> 00:16:33,259 How did you meet your wife? 389 00:16:33,326 --> 00:16:34,527 Your bride? 390 00:16:34,560 --> 00:16:38,331 - Uh, so this goes in line with kind of my whole 391 00:16:38,364 --> 00:16:40,199 life by accident. 392 00:16:40,233 --> 00:16:43,002 It was a Super Bowl about six years ago. 393 00:16:43,035 --> 00:16:45,271 Patriots are playing, and I didn't want to leave my 394 00:16:45,338 --> 00:16:46,439 apartment in Vancouver. 395 00:16:46,506 --> 00:16:47,540 I just got there. 396 00:16:47,573 --> 00:16:48,574 I was starting to film a movie because 397 00:16:48,608 --> 00:16:50,510 I didn't want to jinx the team. 398 00:16:50,543 --> 00:16:53,112 A friend of mine convinced me to go out to a hole in the wall. 399 00:16:53,179 --> 00:16:54,714 I got to watch the game. 400 00:16:54,747 --> 00:16:58,417 In walks a group of four and I can't take my eyes off of Shay. 401 00:17:00,586 --> 00:17:02,421 {\an8}They're in the booth right across from us. 402 00:17:02,455 --> 00:17:03,689 {\an8}So I'm watching their TV. 403 00:17:03,723 --> 00:17:06,192 They're watching mine, and I'm just doing this. 404 00:17:06,225 --> 00:17:07,693 [laughing] 405 00:17:07,727 --> 00:17:11,364 - And like, my team is winning and I don't give a [bleep] 406 00:17:11,397 --> 00:17:15,935 And I don't have the bravery to break the ice. 407 00:17:15,968 --> 00:17:19,205 And her friend comes up, she's like, 408 00:17:19,238 --> 00:17:21,574 "Hey, can I have a picture with you?" 409 00:17:21,607 --> 00:17:24,877 I'm like, "Only if I can get a picture with her." 410 00:17:24,911 --> 00:17:27,580 And she's "Well, to be honest, I didn't want a picture with you. 411 00:17:27,613 --> 00:17:28,881 I was asking for her anyway." 412 00:17:28,915 --> 00:17:30,449 I'm like, "You're kidding me." 413 00:17:30,483 --> 00:17:34,554 So we get together and I'm like, "Hey, um, could I, could I give 414 00:17:34,587 --> 00:17:36,422 you my phone number or could I have yours?" 415 00:17:36,455 --> 00:17:37,757 And she said yes. 416 00:17:37,790 --> 00:17:41,227 I was ten steps out of that joint. 417 00:17:41,260 --> 00:17:46,132 I stopped, went into a back alley in Vancouver and was like, 418 00:17:46,165 --> 00:17:47,934 "I need to spend more time with you." 419 00:17:47,967 --> 00:17:49,468 And she said, "Sure, is Wednesday cool?" 420 00:17:49,502 --> 00:17:50,970 I said, "I'll make it happen, man." 421 00:17:51,003 --> 00:17:55,074 We met back at that same place and we sat down at 6:00, 422 00:17:55,107 --> 00:17:57,143 and they kicked us out at 1:00 in the morning. 423 00:17:57,176 --> 00:17:58,644 Just me and her. 424 00:17:58,678 --> 00:18:00,246 Man, she's- 425 00:18:00,279 --> 00:18:02,248 I met her by accident. 426 00:18:02,748 --> 00:18:05,484 I always just kind of, like, let life deal me the cards. 427 00:18:05,518 --> 00:18:08,754 And then knowing that this could be something and it's time to 428 00:18:08,788 --> 00:18:10,156 push some chips in. 429 00:18:10,990 --> 00:18:13,626 I was willing to, like, see the energy and be like, 430 00:18:13,659 --> 00:18:15,494 "Man, push in on this. 431 00:18:15,528 --> 00:18:16,929 See where it takes you." 432 00:18:18,164 --> 00:18:21,434 - As John's personal life continued to flourish, 433 00:18:21,467 --> 00:18:24,937 he made a major decision about his in-ring career. 434 00:18:25,705 --> 00:18:30,176 - Tonight, I officially announce my retirement from the WWE. 435 00:18:30,209 --> 00:18:33,379 [crowd yells] 436 00:18:33,980 --> 00:18:35,881 WrestleMania will be my last WrestleMania, 437 00:18:35,948 --> 00:18:38,651 but hopefully if everything goes according to plan, 438 00:18:38,684 --> 00:18:42,054 we're going straight through from January to December, 439 00:18:42,121 --> 00:18:44,724 and that'll be the end of my in-ring competition. 440 00:18:45,524 --> 00:18:47,226 How did you get there? 441 00:18:47,293 --> 00:18:50,730 - By continuously coming here and being disappointed and then 442 00:18:50,796 --> 00:18:52,531 asking myself the question of 443 00:18:52,565 --> 00:18:54,900 "This place usually makes me feel good. 444 00:18:54,967 --> 00:18:57,136 Why do I feel bad?" 445 00:18:57,169 --> 00:19:00,506 And it was because I'm surrounded by pictures, 446 00:19:00,539 --> 00:19:01,540 by numbers. 447 00:19:01,574 --> 00:19:03,309 That's a 600 pound squat. 448 00:19:03,342 --> 00:19:05,978 Or that's a clean and jerk with 330 pounds, 449 00:19:06,012 --> 00:19:07,480 or that's a 300 pound snatch. 450 00:19:07,513 --> 00:19:10,683 I can't even do those lifts anymore 451 00:19:10,716 --> 00:19:12,351 because my body is so beat up. 452 00:19:12,385 --> 00:19:15,254 So as soon as I got through that jagged pill of like, 453 00:19:15,321 --> 00:19:17,890 "Oh man, I am never going to overhead press 454 00:19:17,923 --> 00:19:20,493 374 pounds ever again. 455 00:19:20,526 --> 00:19:25,431 But let's work to see what the best I can for today is." 456 00:19:25,498 --> 00:19:29,135 You know, it's it it's a very similar course to WWE. 457 00:19:30,836 --> 00:19:33,472 My skills are on the regress. 458 00:19:33,506 --> 00:19:37,243 If I continue at a full time physical capability or 459 00:19:37,309 --> 00:19:41,313 involvement, I'm not going to run right and my partner is not 460 00:19:41,347 --> 00:19:43,049 going to run right and our relationship 461 00:19:43,082 --> 00:19:44,984 isn't going to run right. 462 00:19:45,751 --> 00:19:46,585 Sorry, kid. 463 00:19:46,652 --> 00:19:47,586 It's time- 464 00:19:47,653 --> 00:19:49,588 It's time to to close this chapter. 465 00:19:49,655 --> 00:19:51,157 I wish I was 18. 466 00:19:51,190 --> 00:19:55,828 I wish I felt great because I don't feel more at home, 467 00:19:55,861 --> 00:20:00,199 besides in the arms of my wife, than I do on a canvas. 468 00:20:00,232 --> 00:20:05,371 I had to pitch this idea a real wrestling farewell 469 00:20:05,404 --> 00:20:08,507 and hoping that they would see the business in it. 470 00:20:08,541 --> 00:20:10,509 And they were like, "Ah, yes, this is- 471 00:20:10,543 --> 00:20:12,178 this is going to be good." 472 00:20:13,546 --> 00:20:16,048 - As John embarked on his farewell tour, 473 00:20:16,082 --> 00:20:18,918 he wanted to change things up in a big way. 474 00:20:19,785 --> 00:20:25,057 After nearly 20 years of being the biggest hero in WWE, 475 00:20:25,091 --> 00:20:29,929 John Cena shocked the world by becoming a heinous villain. 476 00:20:32,798 --> 00:20:34,533 - What the- 477 00:20:35,401 --> 00:20:38,070 Oh my God, John, what the hell are you doing? 478 00:20:39,438 --> 00:20:43,242 - I don't need to single out anyone here 479 00:20:43,275 --> 00:20:48,114 because you are all horrible people. 480 00:20:49,582 --> 00:20:50,616 We're not going to talk about anything. 481 00:20:50,649 --> 00:20:52,151 - Can I just say I love you as a heel? 482 00:20:52,218 --> 00:20:54,120 And I tried to get you to be heel for a very long time, 483 00:20:54,153 --> 00:20:55,988 but man, I love it, I love it, I love it. 484 00:20:56,055 --> 00:20:58,390 - Can I just say I had some some really good 485 00:20:58,424 --> 00:21:00,226 people to learn from. 486 00:21:00,626 --> 00:21:04,497 And you are in a very short list of names that that falls into. 487 00:21:04,563 --> 00:21:08,067 I flat out steal a lot from you. 488 00:21:08,834 --> 00:21:09,602 Ha, wow. 489 00:21:09,635 --> 00:21:10,770 Well, that's, uh. 490 00:21:10,803 --> 00:21:13,139 - So thanks for helping me through this. 491 00:21:14,740 --> 00:21:15,574 Get her out of here. 492 00:21:15,608 --> 00:21:17,309 She's pathetic. 493 00:21:18,110 --> 00:21:19,311 Loser. 494 00:21:20,913 --> 00:21:25,851 - You used me as an excuse for your pathetic failure of a life. 495 00:21:26,519 --> 00:21:28,587 - I think you give me way too much credit. 496 00:21:28,621 --> 00:21:30,689 Like, way too much credit. 497 00:21:30,756 --> 00:21:32,091 - You never know how you affect people. 498 00:21:33,692 --> 00:21:35,194 - While John didn't want to talk about 499 00:21:35,261 --> 00:21:38,430 what he's currently doing as a character, 500 00:21:38,464 --> 00:21:42,134 I wanted to delve into his mindset as a person, 501 00:21:42,601 --> 00:21:45,871 while his WWE career nears its end. 502 00:21:46,839 --> 00:21:50,109 Now you're almost at the end, right, 503 00:21:50,142 --> 00:21:54,313 this is- this is the last year, 2025. 504 00:21:54,346 --> 00:21:55,114 Yeah, I know. 505 00:21:55,147 --> 00:21:56,682 Right. 506 00:21:56,715 --> 00:22:01,821 - How have you changed in your perspective even of John Cena in 507 00:22:01,854 --> 00:22:07,226 the business from when you first started to 508 00:22:07,293 --> 00:22:10,896 now here you are at the end of your wrestling career- 509 00:22:10,963 --> 00:22:13,632 Your farewell tour. 510 00:22:13,666 --> 00:22:18,470 What are your biggest lessons along that that journey? 511 00:22:18,504 --> 00:22:20,206 That's a great question. 512 00:22:20,239 --> 00:22:25,711 It is an absolute fictitious dream job 513 00:22:25,744 --> 00:22:30,416 that I'm so lucky that it exists. 514 00:22:30,916 --> 00:22:34,320 It is something that I never knew how much 515 00:22:34,353 --> 00:22:36,488 I needed in my life. 516 00:22:36,522 --> 00:22:39,091 And still to this day, is something 517 00:22:39,158 --> 00:22:42,328 that I can't live without. 518 00:22:42,862 --> 00:22:48,100 Also, it ends for everyone. 519 00:22:48,167 --> 00:22:49,501 If this is the most important thing in your life, 520 00:22:49,535 --> 00:22:51,370 if this is the tip of your spear, it's going to be 521 00:22:51,403 --> 00:22:54,006 all of your decisions are based off of that. 522 00:22:54,039 --> 00:22:57,843 And for a good 15 to 16 years, the tip of my spear 523 00:22:57,877 --> 00:22:59,912 was making the town. 524 00:22:59,945 --> 00:23:01,380 It's a little finesse, that's all. 525 00:23:02,448 --> 00:23:04,617 That's why ten years ago, if you asked me, 526 00:23:04,683 --> 00:23:06,852 I would have said "I'd been put on this Earth 527 00:23:06,886 --> 00:23:08,254 to be a WWE Superstar." 528 00:23:08,287 --> 00:23:10,189 And now, at 48, I know I'm not. 529 00:23:10,222 --> 00:23:12,925 When people lean into concepts like immortality and like 530 00:23:12,958 --> 00:23:17,429 legacy, a lot of the retirement questions like, 531 00:23:17,463 --> 00:23:18,597 "What do you want your legacy to be?" 532 00:23:18,631 --> 00:23:20,466 I don't care. 533 00:23:20,532 --> 00:23:21,734 I don't. 534 00:23:21,767 --> 00:23:23,535 What I'm grateful for is I had a chance 535 00:23:23,569 --> 00:23:26,138 to be the man in the [bleep] arena. 536 00:23:27,139 --> 00:23:28,908 That is beautiful. 537 00:23:29,742 --> 00:23:33,412 - I think you are such a massive part of this company's 538 00:23:33,445 --> 00:23:38,651 evolution, and I know you will continue to leave your mark, 539 00:23:38,717 --> 00:23:40,920 even well beyond your in-ring years. 540 00:23:40,953 --> 00:23:42,755 And I know that's not your goal. 541 00:23:42,788 --> 00:23:47,993 It's not your goal to be a legacy persona, so to speak, 542 00:23:48,060 --> 00:23:51,163 but you can't help but be. 543 00:23:51,630 --> 00:23:53,933 I love the WWE. 544 00:23:53,966 --> 00:23:56,902 I'm always gonna try to get people to experience and get 545 00:23:56,936 --> 00:24:01,407 invested in because man, it is- 546 00:24:01,440 --> 00:24:05,077 It's made my life this crazy [bleep] roller coaster. 547 00:24:05,644 --> 00:24:08,614 Regardless of what hangs on the walls or lies on the floor, 548 00:24:08,647 --> 00:24:12,518 this has been a place of mental stability and growth 549 00:24:12,584 --> 00:24:15,921 for me over the past 20 years. 550 00:24:15,955 --> 00:24:18,624 And this conversation is absolutely 551 00:24:18,657 --> 00:24:20,159 what this place is about. 552 00:24:20,659 --> 00:24:23,462 You've been very important and instrumental in my life, 553 00:24:23,495 --> 00:24:25,597 and I meant what I said in the moments 554 00:24:25,631 --> 00:24:27,466 that I needed you there. 555 00:24:27,499 --> 00:24:31,103 Without you even knowing you were guiding light. 556 00:24:31,136 --> 00:24:34,540 That was unbelievably effective. 557 00:24:34,606 --> 00:24:36,976 And I know that's not over. 558 00:24:37,009 --> 00:24:38,043 Thanks for that. 559 00:24:39,278 --> 00:24:40,179 I'm always here. 560 00:24:40,212 --> 00:24:43,349 I know, I know. 561 00:24:43,382 --> 00:24:44,049 All right, we hug it out. 562 00:24:44,116 --> 00:24:45,651 Yep. 563 00:24:45,684 --> 00:24:47,386 You know, I was gonna tease you about the mic, and I was, like 564 00:24:47,453 --> 00:24:49,288 looking at it, hoping you didn't hit your head. 565 00:24:49,321 --> 00:24:50,823 And then I did. 566 00:24:50,856 --> 00:24:53,192 [laughing] 567 00:24:53,225 --> 00:24:55,394 - Hard Nocks South was the perfect place 568 00:24:55,461 --> 00:24:58,297 to reflect on John's career. 569 00:24:58,330 --> 00:25:01,967 So much can be learned from his journey and his perspective on a 570 00:25:02,001 --> 00:25:05,771 life that was fueled between these walls. 571 00:25:05,804 --> 00:25:10,476 And I can't wait to see what the future holds for John Cena. 572 00:25:13,979 --> 00:25:15,314 {\an8}Have you worked with this crew? 573 00:25:15,347 --> 00:25:18,384 {\an8}- Uh, we we were, uh, we did some work when I was in 574 00:25:18,450 --> 00:25:19,485 {\an8}elementary school together. 575 00:25:19,518 --> 00:25:20,352 {\an8}We've come up together. 576 00:25:20,386 --> 00:25:21,053 {\an8}Oh, yeah? 577 00:25:21,120 --> 00:25:21,887 {\an8}Yeah. 578 00:25:21,954 --> 00:25:22,788 {\an8}These are all Florida guys. 579 00:25:22,821 --> 00:25:24,857 {\an8}Um, little Timmy over there. 580 00:25:24,890 --> 00:25:27,559 {\an8}Big Jake and, uh, Lazy Mitch. 581 00:25:27,626 --> 00:25:28,694 {\an8}He's on camera. 582 00:25:28,727 --> 00:25:29,795 {\an8}A it's one of those reverse nicknames. 583 00:25:29,828 --> 00:25:30,796 {\an8}He's a hard worker. 584 00:25:30,829 --> 00:25:32,498 {\an8}No, I've never worked with him. 585 00:25:32,531 --> 00:25:34,166 {\an8}[laughing] 586 00:25:34,199 --> 00:25:36,135 {\an8}- I'm like, I know you didn't grow up in Florida. 587 00:25:36,168 --> 00:25:36,802 {\an8}I did not. 588 00:25:36,835 --> 00:25:37,836 {\an8}[laughing] 589 00:25:44,076 --> 00:25:45,344 {\an8}Omaha.