History of John Cena in Timeline
John Cena is a highly accomplished American actor and professional wrestler signed with WWE since 2001. He is widely recognized as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, holding the record for 16 world championships. While he continues to be associated with WWE, Cena has transitioned to part-time wrestling since 2018, focusing more on his acting career.
April 23, 1977: John Cena's Birth
John Felix Anthony Cena was born on April 23, 1977.
1998: Move to California for Wrestling Training
Inspired by Hulk Hogan, Cena moved to California in 1998 to begin training for a professional wrestling career.
1998: Move to California and Bodybuilding
John Cena moved to California in 1998 to pursue a bodybuilding career.
1999: Professional Wrestling Debut
John Cena switched to professional wrestling in 1999, making his debut for Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW).
1999: College Graduation
Cena graduated from Springfield College in 1999 with a degree in exercise physiology and body movement.
April 2000: UPW Heavyweight Championship
John Cena held the UPW Heavyweight Championship for 27 days in April 2000.
October 10, 2000: Unofficial WWE Debut
Cena made his unofficial debut for WWE on October 10, 2000, in a dark match against Mikey Richardson, which he lost.
January 9, 2001: Second WWE Tryout
Cena received another tryout at a SmackDown! taping on January 9, 2001, defeating Aaron Aguilera.
March 2001: Departure from UPW
John Cena wrestled for UPW until March 2001.
2001: Go Sick Appearance as Bruebaker
Before joining WWE, John Cena appeared in 2001 as the character Bruebaker, an aggressive wrestler, on the webcast "Go Sick."
2001: Developmental Contract and OVW Success
Cena signed a developmental contract with the WWF in 2001 and was assigned to OVW, where he achieved success, holding the OVW Heavyweight Championship for three months and the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship for two months.
2001: Manhunt Reality Show Role
In 2001, between training at Ultimate Pro Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling, John Cena appeared on the UPN reality show "Manhunt" as Big Tim Kingman, the leader of a bounty hunter team. However, the show faced controversy due to allegations of rigging, staged scenes, and scripted interactions.
2001: Signing with WWE
John Cena signed with WWE in 2001 and was assigned to its developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling.
2001: WWE Signing
John Cena signed with WWE in 2001.
June 2002: Main Roster Call-Up
Cena was called up to the main roster in June 2002 but continued to appear on OVW programming until September.
2002: Cena Grants First Make-A-Wish Wish
John Cena's commitment to philanthropy began in 2002 when he granted his first wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, kicking off a long-standing tradition of supporting the organization.
2002: Cena's Villainous Run
From 2002 to 2003, John Cena underwent a period where he portrayed a villainous character, a departure from his typical heroic persona throughout his WWE career. This villainous run marked a notable exception in his overall character arc.
2002: OVW Class of 2002
Cena was part of OVW's Class of 2002, which included Brock Lesnar, Randy Orton, and Dave Bautista, a group that became known as the "OVW 4".
2002: SmackDown Debut and Character Development
Cena debuted on WWE's main roster on SmackDown in 2002 and became a breakout success after adopting the character of a villainous trash-talking rapper.
October 2003: Cena Endorses YJ Stinger
John Cena's early endorsement deals included promoting the energy drink YJ Stinger starting in October 2003, coinciding with his rising wrestling career.
2003: Cena's First WrestleMania Appearance
In 2003, John Cena made his first appearance at WrestleMania XIX, starting his streak of participating in nearly every WrestleMania for two decades.
2003: End of Cena's Villainous Run
In 2003, John Cena's villainous run concluded, marking his return to a heroic character. This transition solidified his long-term persona as a fan favorite and symbol of perseverance.
January 25, 2004: Royal Rumble Participation
Cena participated in the Royal Rumble match at Royal Rumble on January 25, 2004, but was eliminated by Big Show.
January 30, 2005: Royal Rumble Participation
Cena participated in the Royal Rumble match on January 30, 2005, making it to the final two before being eliminated by Batista.
August 8, 2005: "Right Now" Music Video Premieres
The music video for John Cena's second single, "Right Now", premiered on the August 8, 2005, episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, further promoting his debut album.
2005: "You Can't See Me" Album Release
Cena released his only studio album, "You Can't See Me", in 2005.
2005: Renewed Rivalry with JBL
In 2005, Cena had a prominent feud with JBL, a rivalry that was reignited in 2008 during a fatal four-way elimination match for the WWE Championship.
2005: First WWE Championship and Character Shift
In 2005, Cena won his first WWE Championship and transitioned into a clean-cut heroic character.
2005: John Cena's Rise to Dominance
In 2005, John Cena was drafted to Raw, feuded with Eric Bischoff, retained his WWE Championship against multiple opponents like Christian, Chris Jericho, and Kurt Angle, and even introduced a new submission maneuver, the STFU.
2005: Teen Choice Awards Co-Presenter
John Cena, alongside Hulk Hogan, co-presented at the 2005 Teen Choice Awards.
January 8, 2006: Cena's Championship Rollercoaster
On January 8, 2006, John Cena retained the WWE Championship in the Elimination Chamber match but immediately lost it to Edge cashing in his Money in the Bank contract. He won the title back at the Royal Rumble later that month, starting a feud with Triple H, which saw a shift in crowd reactions, with more fans booing Cena and cheering the villainous Triple H.
August 2006: First Punk'd Appearance
John Cena was featured on MTV's "Punk'd" in August 2006 as the target of a prank.
October 10, 2006: Opie and Anthony Walkover Appearance
John Cena appeared on the CBS and XM versions of the "Opie and Anthony" morning radio show as part of their "walkover" on October 10, 2006.
October 13, 2006: The Marine Theatrical Release
John Cena's first film, "The Marine," produced by WWE Studios, premiered in theaters on October 13, 2006. The film grossed $7 million in its opening week and reached a total of $18.7 million in box office sales during its ten-week theatrical run. Its DVD release proved more successful, earning $30 million in rentals during the first twelve weeks.
November 2006: Cena Films Subway Commercials
John Cena filmed commercials for Subway with company spokesperson Jared Fogle in November 2006, demonstrating his increasing mainstream appeal.
2006: Cena's Character Shift to Military Upstart
In 2006, John Cena's wrestling character transitioned from a rapper to a young military upstart, coinciding with the release of his debut film, "The Marine." He started wearing dog tags and cargo shorts to the ring and saluting the crowd.
2006: "The Marine" Release
Cena's first starring film role was in "The Marine", released in 2006.
January 7, 2007: Cena's Victory Over Umaga
On January 7, 2007, at New Year's Revolution, Cena defeated Umaga, ending his undefeated streak and retaining the WWE Championship. This marked a significant victory for Cena during his feud with Umaga and Kevin Federline.
January 2007: Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Appearance
John Cena, Batista, and Ashley Massaro represented WWE on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" in January 2007, offering support and WWE merchandise to a family whose home was being renovated.
May 2007: Second Punk'd Appearance
John Cena appeared for a second time on MTV's "Punk'd" in May 2007, again becoming the subject of a prank.
June 2007: Fast Cars and Superstars: The Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race
John Cena participated in ABC's "Fast Cars and Superstars: The Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race" reality series in June 2007. He reached the final round before being eliminated on June 24, finishing third in the overall competition.
2007: CNN Steroid Use Controversy
John Cena was interviewed for CNN's documentary "Death Grip: Inside Pro Wrestling" in 2007, which investigated steroid use in professional wrestling. Cena's response to a question regarding his own steroid use led to accusations of misrepresentation by both WWE and CNN.
2007: Cena Endorses American Body Builders Products
Continuing to leverage his wrestling fame, John Cena endorsed signature energy drinks and bars for American Body Builders in 2007.
January 27, 2008: Cena's Royal Rumble Return and Championship Pursuit
On January 27, 2008, John Cena made a surprise return at the Royal Rumble, winning the match and earning a title shot. He cashed in his opportunity against Randy Orton at No Way Out but won by disqualification, not gaining the title.
February 25, 2008: 12 Rounds Begins Filming
On February 25, 2008, filming commenced for "12 Rounds," John Cena's second film produced by WWE Studios. The movie was shot in New Orleans.
April 9, 2008: Idol Gives Back Appearance
John Cena, along with fellow wrestlers Triple H and Chris Jericho, appeared on the "Idol Gives Back" fundraising special on April 9, 2008.
October 11, 2008: Australian Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards Hosting
On October 11, 2008, John Cena co-hosted the Australian Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards with Natalie Bassingthwaighte in Melbourne.
2008: Cena Stars in Gillette's NASCAR Campaign
In 2008, John Cena was featured in a commercial for Gillette's "Young Guns" NASCAR campaign, expanding his endorsements into the racing world.
2008: Name Changes to Cena's Finishing Moves Due to WWE's PG Shift
In 2008, during WWE's transition from a TV-14 to a TV-PG rating, the names of John Cena's finishing moves were altered to comply with the new guidelines. "FU" was changed to "Attitude Adjustment," and "STFU" was renamed "STF."
January 25, 2009: Cena's World Heavyweight Championship Reign
On January 25, 2009, Cena won the Royal Rumble, leading him to a World Heavyweight Championship victory at Survivor Series later that year. He defended the title against Chris Jericho at Armageddon but lost it to Edge at No Way Out.
March 7, 2009: Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Appearance
On March 7, 2009, John Cena was a guest on NPR's "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" quiz show, participating in a "Not My Job" segment.
March 2009: Saturday Night Live Appearance
John Cena made a guest appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in March 2009, appearing in the show's cold open.
March 27, 2009: 12 Rounds Released
On March 27, 2009, John Cena's second film, "12 Rounds," was released to the public.
July 11, 2009: Cena Marries Elizabeth Huberdeau
John Cena married Elizabeth Huberdeau on July 11, 2009.
2009: Cena Receives Chris Greicius Celebrity Award
In recognition of his philanthropic work, John Cena was awarded the Chris Greicius Celebrity Award in 2009.
2009: Cena Participates in Gillette's "Be A Superstar" Campaign
John Cena participated in Gillette's "Be A Superstar" online campaign in 2009, further solidifying his partnership with the brand and highlighting his motivational image.
January 31, 2010: Royal Rumble 2010
On January 31, 2010, at the Royal Rumble, John Cena participated in the titular match, reaching the final two contenders. However, he was ultimately eliminated by the returning Edge.
September 10, 2010: Legendary Limited Theatrical Release
John Cena's third WWE Studios film, "Legendary," premiered in select theaters for a limited time starting September 10, 2010.
September 2010: Fred: The Movie Premieres on Nickelodeon
John Cena starred in "Fred: The Movie," playing Fred's imaginary father. The film, based on Lucas Cruikshank's YouTube videos, premiered on Nickelodeon in September 2010.
September 28, 2010: Legendary DVD Release
On September 28, 2010, "Legendary," John Cena's third film produced by WWE Studios, was released on DVD.
January 17, 2011: Cena's return and confrontation with Punk
On January 17, 2011, John Cena made his return to Raw, facing CM Punk in a match that ended in a no contest. The disruption occurred when Cena was unexpectedly attacked by the debuting Mason Ryan, who subsequently joined The Nexus.
2011: Cena Explains Meaning Behind His Salute
In a 2011 interview with WWE.com, John Cena explained that his salute was a sign of respect for the men and women serving in the Armed Forces. This provided insight into the motivation behind his character's actions.
2011: Cena Promotes Anti-Bullying Campaign
Starting in late 2011, John Cena wore a "Rise Above Hate" T-shirt to promote the WWE's "Be a Star" anti-bullying campaign, utilizing his platform to address social issues.
January 29, 2012: Cena vs Kane at Royal Rumble
John Cena and Kane clashed at the Royal Rumble on January 29, 2012, their match ending in a double countout. The feud stemmed from Kane's disapproval of Cena's "Rise Above Hate" slogan, arguing that Cena needed to embrace hate to defeat The Rock at WrestleMania.
May 1, 2012: Cena Files for Divorce
John Cena filed for divorce from Elizabeth Huberdeau on May 1, 2012.
October 2012: Cena Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In October 2012, John Cena wore pink and black attire with the phrase "Rise Above Cancer" during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, raising awareness for a significant cause.
2012: WWE Recognition and Record-Breaking WrestleMania
In 2012, John Cena was recognized by WWE chairman Vince McMahon as the WWE's Babe Ruth and named one of the 10 greatest WWE wrestlers of all time by Bleacher Report. The same year, WrestleMania XXVIII, featuring Cena vs. The Rock, became the highest drawing and grossing live event in WWE history, with 1,217,000 buys and $8.9 million in revenue.
January 27, 2013: Cena's Second Royal Rumble Victory
John Cena emerged victorious in his second Royal Rumble match on January 27, 2013. Following his win, he declared his intention to challenge for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29.
2013: Cena Appears on Fruity Pebbles Box
As a result of a feud with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who referred to Cena as "Fruity Pebbles" due to his colorful merchandise, Cena appeared on the cereal box for Fruity Pebbles in 2013, turning the insult into a marketing opportunity.
October 2014: Cena Features on Wiz Khalifa Tracks
John Cena was featured on two songs with rapper Wiz Khalifa for his singles "All Day" and "Breaks", which were included on the soundtrack for the WWE 2K15 video game, in October 2014.
2014: Cena and Wyatt's First WrestleMania Encounter
In 2014, John Cena and Bray Wyatt first faced each other at WrestleMania XXX. This match set the stage for their rematch at WrestleMania 36, which was a significant moment in their rivalry.
July 2015: Pro Wrestling Dot Net Analyst's comment
In July 2015, an analyst from Pro Wrestling Dot Net made a comment, the specific content of which is not provided in the context.
August 17, 2015: First Today Show Guest Co-Hosting
On August 17, 2015, John Cena guest co-hosted NBC's "Today" show.
August 21, 2015: Late Night with Seth Meyers Appearance
John Cena appeared on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" on August 21, 2015.
2015: "Trainwreck" Release
Cena gained praise for his performance in the movie "Trainwreck", released in 2015.
2015: Appearances in Comedy Films
In 2015, John Cena appeared in the comedy films "Trainwreck" and "Sisters" and had a cameo role in "Daddy's Home."
2015: "Unexpected John Cena" Meme Emerges
In mid-2015, an internet meme known as "Unexpected John Cena", featuring Cena's entrance music and image appearing unexpectedly in various contexts, became popular.
April 3, 2016: Cena's Return at WrestleMania 32
On April 3, 2016, John Cena made a surprise return at WrestleMania 32, coming to The Rock's aid to fend off The Wyatt Family.
April 14, 2016: American Grit Premieres
On April 14, 2016, the reality TV series American Grit, hosted by John Cena, premiered on Fox. The show featured 16 contestants competing in physically and mentally demanding challenges.
April 2016: Cena's Remarkable Recovery Abilities Highlighted
In April 2016, ESPN reporter David Shoemaker commented on John Cena's extraordinary ability to recover from injuries, comparing his healing prowess to advanced medical treatments and the fictional character Deadpool.
July 13, 2016: Cena Hosts ESPY Awards
John Cena hosted the ESPY Awards on July 13, 2016, in Los Angeles, showcasing his presence outside of wrestling.
October 13, 2016: Cena Voices Ernie the Elephant for Wonderful Pistachios
John Cena made his voice-acting debut as Ernie the Elephant for Wonderful Pistachios on October 13, 2016, in a new commercial campaign for the brand.
November 2016: Cena Appears in "We Are America" PSA
John Cena participated in a public service announcement titled "We Are America" in November 2016, promoting inclusivity and diversity as part of the Ad Council's "Love Has No Labels" campaign.
December 10, 2016: Cena Hosts Saturday Night Live
Further expanding his reach beyond wrestling, John Cena served as a guest host for the popular comedy show Saturday Night Live on December 10, 2016.
2016: Multiple Today Show Co-Hosting Appearances
John Cena guest co-hosted "Today" again on several dates in 2016: March 28–30, and May 9, 10, 13, and 30.
2016: Cena Begins Learning Piano
John Cena began teaching himself to play the piano in 2016, showcasing his interest in music.
2016: Started Learning Mandarin Chinese
John Cena began learning Mandarin Chinese in 2016 with the aim of assisting WWE in expanding its global reach. He even showcased his Mandarin speaking skills at a press conference in China.
January 24, 2017: Cena to Host Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
It was announced on January 24, 2017 that John Cena would host the upcoming Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
January 29, 2017: Cena's 16th World Title Victory at Royal Rumble
John Cena triumphed over AJ Styles at the Royal Rumble on January 29, 2017, claiming the WWE Championship. This victory marked his 16th world title reign, equaling Ric Flair's record for most recognized world title reigns.
April 2, 2017: Cena Proposes to Nikki Bella
John Cena proposed to fellow wrestler Nikki Bella at WrestleMania 33 on April 2, 2017.
July 2017: Cena becomes a Free Agent
In July 2017, WWE designated John Cena as a "free agent" during the Superstar Shake-up. This new status granted him the flexibility to work across both the Raw and SmackDown brands.
December 2017: Lawsuit by Ford Motor Company
In December 2017, Ford Motor Company sued John Cena for breaching a purchase contract by selling his 2017 Ford GT. Ford claimed Cena had agreed to keep the car for at least two years but sold it soon after receiving it to make a profit.
2017: "Ferdinand" Release
Cena gained praise for his performance in the movie "Ferdinand", released in 2017.
2017: Diverse Film Roles
2017 was a busy year for John Cena's film career. He starred in the war drama "The Wall" and provided his voice for the animated movies "Surf's Up 2: WaveMania" and "Ferdinand." He also reprised his role in "Daddy's Home 2" with a larger part than in the 2015 film.
January 11, 2018: Cena to Host Kids' Choice Awards Again
On January 11, 2018, it was announced that Cena would host the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards for a second consecutive year.
January 28, 2018: Unsuccessful Title Contentions
John Cena's attempts to win the Royal Rumble on January 28, 2018, were unsuccessful. He was also unable to secure victory in the Elimination Chamber match on February 25, which aimed to determine the No. 1 contender for the Universal Championship, and a six-pack challenge on March 11 at Fastlane for the WWE Championship.
March 24, 2018: Cena Hosts Kids' Choice Awards for Second Time
As announced earlier, John Cena hosted the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards on March 24, 2018, for the second year in a row.
April 2018: Learned to Play Piano
In April 2018, John Cena revealed that he had learned to play the piano.
April 2018: Cena and Bella End Engagement
John Cena and Nikki Bella ended their engagement in April 2018, prior to their scheduled wedding in May.
June 19, 2018: Settlement with Ford Motor Company
On June 19, 2018, John Cena reached an undisclosed settlement with Ford Motor Company regarding a lawsuit filed against him for selling his 2017 Ford GT, violating a purchase agreement to keep the car for two years. Cena apologized to Ford, and Ford agreed to donate the settlement to charity.
July 2018: Moved to China and Started YouTube Show
In July 2018, John Cena briefly relocated to Yinchuan, China, for five months to work on the film "Hidden Strike" with Jackie Chan. During his stay, he created a YouTube show on WWE's channel, documenting his experiences exploring local shops and markets.
July 2018: "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" Premieres
The animated series "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", featuring John Cena as the voice of Baron Draxum, premiered in July 2018.
November 2018: Finished Filming "Hidden Strike"
In November 2018, John Cena wrapped up filming for the movie "Hidden Strike," which he had been working on in China since July of that year.
2018: Transition to Part-Time
John Cena transitioned to part-time performing in WWE in 2018.
2018: Cena's Last Singles Victory
In 2018, John Cena achieved his last singles victory. This fact became relevant during his return in October 2020, when he teased retirement due to not having won a singles match since 2018.
2018: "Blockers" and "Bumblebee" Release
Cena starred in the movies "Blockers" and "Bumblebee", both released in 2018.
2018: Leading Roles in Comedy and Action
John Cena starred in the comedy "Blockers" and played a main role in "Bumblebee," a prequel to the "Transformers" series, in 2018.
January 1, 2019: Cena's return and Mixed Tag Team Match
On January 1, 2019, John Cena returned to WWE television on SmackDown. He teamed up with Becky Lynch for a mixed tag team match against Andrade Cien Almas and Zelina Vega, emerging victorious in the contest.
January 2019: Cena's Last Match on Raw Before WrestleMania XL
In January 2019, John Cena had his last match on Raw before his WrestleMania XL appearance in April 2024. This marked a significant period of absence from Raw for Cena.
February 14, 2019: Cena to Host "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" Revival
Adding another hosting gig to his growing resume, it was announced on February 14, 2019 that John Cena would host a revival of the game show "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?".
June 10, 2019: "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?" Revival Premieres
The revival of "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?", hosted by John Cena, premiered on June 10, 2019.
2019: Met Shay Shariatzadeh
John Cena met his future wife, Shay Shariatzadeh, in 2019 during the production of his film "Playing with Fire."
2019: Playing with Fire Release
John Cena starred as smokejumper superintendent Jake Carson in the film "Playing with Fire," released in 2019.
2019: Cast as Jakob Toretto in F9
John Cena was cast in "F9" in 2019 as Jakob Toretto, brother of Dominic Toretto, played by Vin Diesel.
February 28, 2020: Cena Returns to SmackDown and Accepts Bray Wyatt's Challenge
On February 28, 2020, John Cena returned to SmackDown, appearing to announce his retirement. However, he was confronted by "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt, who challenged him to a match at WrestleMania 36. This match was set to be a sequel to their encounter at WrestleMania XXX in 2014, and Cena accepted the challenge.
June 2020: Cena Donates to Black Lives Matter
In June 2020, John Cena donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement as part of the #MatchAMillion initiative inspired by the K-pop group BTS, supporting the fight against racial injustice.
October 12, 2020: Marriage to Shay Shariatzadeh
On October 12, 2020, John Cena married his girlfriend Shay Shariatzadeh in a private ceremony in Tampa, Florida. The couple met in 2019 while filming "Playing with Fire" in Vancouver, where Shariatzadeh works.
2020: Dolittle Voice Role
John Cena voiced Yoshi, a polar bear, in the adventure comedy "Dolittle" in 2020.
2020: Cena Becomes the Voice of Honda
Further expanding his voice-over work, John Cena partnered with Honda and became the new voice of the company in 2020.
May 10, 2021: Cena's "Bing Chilling" Meme
On May 10, 2021, John Cena posted a promotional video on Weibo for the film "Fast & Furious 9", which included him speaking Mandarin and singing into an ice cream cone. This led to the creation of the "Bing Chilling" meme, a mispronunciation of the Mandarin word for ice cream.
May 24, 2021: Cena Apologizes to China
On May 24, 2021, John Cena issued an apology to China in Mandarin after facing backlash for referring to Taiwan as a country during a "Fast & Furious 9" interview. The apology received mixed reactions and generated more memes.
July 18, 2021: Cena Returns at Money in the Bank
John Cena made his return to WWE programming at Money in the Bank on July 18, 2021, confronting Roman Reigns after Reigns retained his Universal Championship against Edge in the main event. This marked the beginning of the "Summer of Cena" tour, with Cena signing a 25-appearance deal.
2021: "F9" and "The Suicide Squad" Release
Cena starred as Jakob Toretto in "F9" and portrayed Peacemaker in "The Suicide Squad", both released in 2021.
2021: Cena Co-Hosts "Wipeout"
Continuing his ventures in television, John Cena co-hosted the game show "Wipeout" in 2021.
2021: Taiwan Controversy and Apology to China
In 2021, during promotional activities for "F9," John Cena referred to Taiwan as "a country." Due to China's view of Taiwan as part of its territory, Cena subsequently issued a public apology on social media, which was met with criticism from comedian and political commentator Bill Maher.
June 6, 2022: Cena's 20th Anniversary of Main Roster Debut Announced
On June 6, 2022, it was announced that John Cena would return to Raw on June 27 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his main roster in-ring debut.
2022: Cena Sets Make-A-Wish Record
By mid-2022, John Cena had granted over 650 wishes for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a record for the organization, demonstrating his ongoing dedication to helping children with life-threatening illnesses.
2022: Cena Performs Piano Rendition for "Peacemaker" Soundtrack
John Cena played a piano rendition of Mötley Crüe's "Home Sweet Home" for the soundtrack of the TV series "Peacemaker" in 2022. He also performed the song on-screen as his character in the episode "Murn After Reading".
2022: "Peacemaker" Series Premiere
Cena portrayed Peacemaker in the television series of the same name, premiering in 2022.
January 27, 2023: Cena as the Cover Star of WWE 2K23
On January 27, 2023, John Cena was revealed as the cover star for the WWE 2K23 video game. This was his second time being featured on the cover of a WWE 2K game, the first being WWE 2K15.
May 19, 2023: Fast X and Reprising Jakob Toretto
On May 19, 2023, "Fast X" premiered in theaters, with John Cena reprising his role as Jakob Toretto.
August 2, 2023: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem Voice Role
John Cena voiced Rocksteady in "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem," released on August 2, 2023.
2023: "Fast X" Release
Cena starred as Jakob Toretto in "Fast X", released in 2023.
April 7, 2024: Cena's Surprise Appearance at WrestleMania XL
John Cena made a surprise appearance during the Night 2 main event of WrestleMania XL on April 7, 2024, assisting Cody Rhodes against Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa. Cena delivered Attitude Adjustments to both Reigns and Sikoa before being Rock Bottomed by The Rock, who also made a surprise appearance.
2024: Cena Presents at the Oscars
In 2024, John Cena appeared, mostly nude, at the 96th Academy Awards to present the award for Best Costume Design, referencing a past incident where a streaker interrupted the ceremony in 1974.