Why John Cena Nearly Joined The U.S. Marine Corps Before WWE
John Cena has revealed that he nearly became a US Marine, but then he fell in love with pro wrestling.
The WWE Champion John Cena celebrated his record-breaking 17th World Title win at WrestleMania 41 this year. It’s also Cena’s final year as a wrestler because he announced it’s his final year as a wrestler.
Cena has stated that part of the reason he is retiring is that he can no longer compete physically as he once did. Age catches up to everybody, even an incredible athlete like John Cena at 48 years old.
During his interview with Stephanie McMahon on Stephanie’s Places, which covered his career and personal life, John Cena discussed how he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life. He tried to become a police officer and nearly joined the US Marine Corps.
“So, I chose the Marines because I failed at everything else. I tried to apply my degree and no strength company would take me or fitness company would take me. I tried to be a cop. I failed the CHP exam. I was like, ‘Man, I [am] kinda just working at the front desk of Gold’s Venice. And that’s enough, like, I get to train every day. It’s cool. I’m well fed. I’m good. But I gotta think more long-term. Like, what’s the next play?’
And I wanted to remain physical. I wanted to keep myself in a top-level of performance. I’m like, ‘These… the Marines, they pretty much seem like they would do that.”
A Phone Call From A Friend Pushed John Cena Towards Pro Wrestling
As he continued, John Cena spoke about nearly becoming a Marine, but it didn’t happen because a friend invited him to train at a nearby pro wrestling ring.
“I was gonna drive down and sign up. And then, literally, the weekend I was gonna go, my buddy was like, ‘Man, we’re training over at Orange County. Would you ever wanna do that?’ I was like, ‘I’d take a look at it.’
And I remember driving to LA Boxing, a one-storey glass building, and I can see the ring through the glass, and I was like, ‘I will deal with the suck Monday through Friday because on the weekends, I’ll be a superhero. And that’s how I approached it.”
Up next for John Cena is a tag team match at WWE Money in the Bank when he teams up with Logan Paul against Cody Rhodes and the World Heavyweight Champion, Jey Uso.