How A Tuna Fish Sandwich Changed John Cena’s WWE Career
Stephanie McMahon has shared a story about how a tuna fish sandwich turned John Cena’s WWE career around.
When John Cena was a rookie on the WWE main roster in 2002, he was shouting about “Ruthless Aggression” while wearing gear that usually featured the colors of a local sports team, depending on what city they were in.
After initially impressing against top guys like Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho, John Cena has looked back on that time and said that he was nearly fired.
As the story goes, the WWE roster was on a bus during a tour when John Cena started rapping in front of his fellow wrestlers. Eventually, some people in management heard it, including Stephanie McMahon, and it led to Cena’s rapping gimmick appearing on television.
During their discussion on Stephanie’s Places, available on ESPN+ and Disney+, Stephanie McMahon revealed that she was blown away when Cena rapped on the spot about the tuna sandwich she was eating.
“One day, John was freestyling on the WWE bus. I was blown away when he impromptu rapped for me about the tuna fish sandwich I was eating. I was part of the WWE creative team at the time and thought this talent could be exactly what he needed.”
Cena’s rap skills led to him dressing as rapper Vanilla Ice on the Halloween edition of Smackdown in 2002 and doing a rap on the show. The rapping skills of Cena ultimately became a significant part of his character, which contributed to his rise as a heel over the next year. By late 2003, Cena was a babyface rapper who the fans loved.
John Cena Revealed Why He Is Retiring From WWE
Stephanie McMahon’s interview with John Cena also featured candid comments about why he is retiring as a wrestler this year. At 48 years old, Cena explained that he can’t do some of the things he used to do.
“I can’t do even do these lifts anymore because my body’s so beat up. So, as soon as I got through that jagged pill of like, ‘Oh man, I’m never gonna overhead press 375 pounds ever again. But let’s work to see what best I can for today is.’ You know, it’s a very similar course to WWE.
My skills are on regress. If I continue at a full-time physical capability or involvement, I’m not gonna run right, my partner is not gonna run right, and our relationship isn’t gonna run right. Sorry, kid, it’s time to close this chapter.
I wish I was 18. I wish I felt great because I don’t feel more at home, besides in the arms of my wife, than I do on a canvas.”
At WWE Money in the Bank on June 7, the WWE Champion John Cena will team up with Logan Paul against Cody Rhodes and the World Heavyweight Champion, Jey Uso, in a huge tag team match.