John Cena continues to insist that he’ll be hanging up his wrestling boots by the age of 50.
The WWE Superstar was a recent guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to comment on his retirement plans, getting his start in WWE, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On his retirement plans: “I’ll be 47 in April and the product is filled with superstars who are young, fast, and gifted. I’m just not as fast as I once was. I compare myself to like a fine vintage classic car. So if you want to take it out one day, you got to warm it up for about two and a half hours, then you can take it out and you can hit the last gear, but please don’t pin it to red line. I can go for about 30 minutes. Then after you drive for 30 minutes, you got to take it back in the shop and fix all the noises it was making. I’m leaking fluids from places I didn’t know I had places. So it’s pretty rough around the edges.”
On getting his start in WWE: “So I was living in a garage in Venice, California, and I had picked up… professional wrestling as a hobby. I did not know what I was going to do with my life. I tried to be a cop. I failed the CHP exam. I couldn’t apply my college degree. I was going to go down to be a Marine. And the weekend I was going to go down, a friend was like, hey, we’re training to be wrestlers in Orange County. I didn’t even know there was such a thing. So when I saw a ring, I was like, I will figure it out to do this as a hobby. Never anything more than that. I just wanted to live like Superman on the weekends and then I finally get my big contract with WWE. I got a call from Bruce Prichard, head of talent relations at the time. He said, ‘we want to sign you to $12,500 a year.’ And living in California, I quit my job right away, and I was balling like a newborn baby. I couldn’t have been happier. I view it as a chance to better myself, and I’m very grateful for that opportunity because it’s brought us here today.”
John Cena, the legendary WWE Superstar, recently appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to discuss his retirement plans, his journey in WWE, and more. Cena, who is turning 47 in April, has been vocal about hanging up his wrestling boots by the age of 50.
When asked about his retirement plans, Cena humorously compared himself to a vintage classic car. He mentioned that while the current WWE roster is filled with young, fast, and gifted superstars, he is not as fast as he once was. Cena explained that just like a classic car, he needs to be warmed up for about two and a half hours before hitting his stride. He can go for about 30 minutes before needing to take a break and fix any issues that arise. Cena jokingly added that he is “leaking fluids from places I didn’t know I had places,” indicating that his body is feeling the toll of his wrestling career.
During the interview, Cena also shared how he got his start in WWE. He revealed that he was living in a garage in Venice, California, unsure of what to do with his life. After failed attempts at becoming a cop and applying his college degree, Cena stumbled upon professional wrestling as a hobby. He had no idea that there was a wrestling school in Orange County until a friend invited him to join. Seeing the wrestling ring for the first time, Cena knew he wanted to pursue it as a hobby. Little did he know that it would eventually lead him to WWE.
Cena recounted the moment he received a life-changing call from Bruce Prichard, the head of talent relations at the time. Prichard offered him a contract worth $12,500 a year. Living in California at the time, Cena quit his job immediately and was overwhelmed with joy. He viewed this opportunity as a chance to better himself and is incredibly grateful for the path it set him on.
Throughout his career, Cena has become one of the most iconic figures in WWE history. He has won numerous championships and has been a role model for many fans around the world. Cena’s dedication, hard work, and passion for wrestling have made him a beloved figure in the industry.
While Cena’s retirement may be on the horizon, his impact on the world of professional wrestling will never be forgotten. Fans will continue to cherish his memorable moments and contributions to the sport. As Cena prepares to hang up his boots, he leaves behind a legacy that will inspire future generations of wrestlers and fans alike.