John Cena Discusses Wrestlemania 36, WWE Status, Vince McMahon, More
John Cena appeared on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel’s live last night to discuss were he currently is in both his acting and wrestling careers. Cena was on the show to promote the movie “Dolittle” that Cena has a role in. When asked, Cena admitted that currently he is in full movie mode and doesn’t have much time to think about wrestling or even working out.
“You know, that’s a great question. Right now I’m smack dab in the middle of filming the new installment of Suicide Squad. Full, full, full movie mode, yes. The days are actually longer doing a movie, so believe it or not, even though the touring schedule is grueling with WWE, I actually have more time to work out. I’m in movie mode, yes I’m working out less.”
Kümmel then asked Cena when was the last time he competed in a match for the WWE.
“Well, it’s been a long… this is the first time in 15 years, or maybe even more, that I haven’t been on a WWE scheduled pay-per-view in a calendar year. So, this is the first big transition. You spoke a lot about [NFL quarterback] Tom Brady moving elsewhere… I’m officially moved else… I’m not a regular player. WWE is still my heart, I’m still part of the family, I still keep in touch with a lot of the folks, I try to do my best to teach and mentor and help when I can, but man, I’m 42.”
“I’ve been proud of the effort I put forth and I just want to make sure that I am never in a position where paying customers like yourself, look at the effort and go, ‘Eh, he’s just staying around because he’s greedy.”
Kümmel also discussed with Cena what his communication process is currently like with the WWE?
“It works different for everybody. I always look for them to give me ideas and then me kind of make it my own. I know that we have a small-large event called WrestleMania around the corner, that just so happens to be in Tampa, and that’s kind of where I live. So, I’ll be in the neighborhood, and Suicide Squad should be done, but it’s not like I call someone up and be like, ‘I want to be in WrestleMania.’ Those spots are very coveted. There are performers who work all year, 250 shows a year, they earn those spots.”
When asked if Cena wants to take one of the coveted Wrestlemania spots, he responded with the following.
“I would love to earn one, at least. And the way you do that is by Vince McMahon, the head of creative, calling you up and being like, ‘Hey pal, I’d like you to do this.’ And then I say yes sir, and then I kind of put my own spin on it.”
Finally, Cena and Kimmel discussed Vince McMahon and if Cena still considers him a boss.
“He is so much more than that to me. He is a friend, a father figure, a mentor, a trusting resource. He’s filled with wisdom, but above all else, yes, I still think of him as my boss.”
“He’s also had a tremendous affect on my life. I mean, that’s a couch session for you and I, I’m probably going to have to pay you a therapist fee for that. But he’s really had a tremendous impact on my life.”
Thank you to WrestlingInc for transcribing the quotes.
Matt’s Musings: There has been no bigger star or somebody who has done more for WWE in the last twenty years than John Cena. When it comes to the WWE, Cena has earned the right to chose what he wants to do and when he wants to do it, and that includes Wrestlemania.