During his appearance on Impaulsive with Logan Paul, John Cena was asked about whether he had envisioned becoming one of the greatest wrestlers of all time when he first started his career.
Cena began his journey in UPW in 1999 and progressed to Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2000. Two years later, he made his debut on WWE television.
“There was a moment where I knew there was a possible path, and that was when I got my first contract. I’m very vocal about this, because of the times, it was height of the WCW-WWF wars where everyone was under contract because they didn’t want you going to the other place. It was like the .com war. You have a .com? I’ll buy it. My first contract was for $12,500 a year. I quit my job. I still lived in Los Angeles. I had to operate pretty lean. I didn’t have to, I chose to. In all the stories I tell, ‘I lived in my car,’ I did that by choice. I had a warm bed and roof over my head in Massachusetts. My dad is the most giving person to his sons, ‘You always have a home here, I’ll always take care of you.’ I wanted to do that. I chose to go through some hardships to be where I’m at. I quit because my philosophy was, ‘This is my job. I’m being paid, I’m a professional. This is my job. I will find a way to make it work because someone has bet on me and if I don’t let them down, I can inch forward. I did that. My second contract was for like $25,000. Then, they moved me to Kentucky, and it became $50,000. They moved me to TV and it became $75,000. Then, I ended up signing a better deal and a better deal,” he said.
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John Cena, one of the most iconic figures in professional wrestling, recently discussed his journey to becoming one of the greatest wrestlers of all time during an appearance on Impaulsive with Logan Paul. Cena’s rise to stardom was not an overnight success story, but rather a result of hard work, determination, and a belief in his own abilities.
Cena’s wrestling career began in 1999 when he joined UPW (Ultimate Pro Wrestling). He then moved on to Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2000, where he continued to hone his skills and develop his character. Two years later, Cena made his debut on WWE television, marking the start of his meteoric rise to fame.
During the interview, Cena reflected on a pivotal moment in his career when he received his first contract. At the time, the wrestling industry was embroiled in a fierce competition between WCW (World Championship Wrestling) and WWF (World Wrestling Federation), which later became WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). Cena’s first contract was worth a modest $12,500 per year.
Despite the relatively low salary, Cena made the bold decision to quit his job and pursue wrestling full-time. He chose to live frugally, even going so far as to live in his car by choice. This decision was motivated by his belief that he needed to fully commit to his wrestling career and prove himself as a professional.
Cena’s dedication and hard work paid off as he gradually climbed the ranks within WWE. With each new contract, his salary increased, reflecting his growing popularity and success. Moving from $12,500 to $25,000, then $50,000, and eventually reaching $75,000, Cena’s perseverance and talent were recognized by the company.
The interview highlighted Cena’s philosophy of treating wrestling as a job and always striving to deliver his best performance. He acknowledged that others had placed their trust in him by offering him contracts, and he felt a responsibility to live up to their expectations. This mindset allowed him to continually improve and secure better deals, ultimately solidifying his status as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.
Cena’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring wrestlers and individuals in any field. It emphasizes the importance of hard work, dedication, and a belief in oneself. Cena’s journey from a modest contract to becoming a wrestling legend is a testament to the power of perseverance and the rewards that come with unwavering commitment.
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