By Imran Yousafzai
This is the story of a young boy who dared to dream big—and did not merely dream, but fought relentlessly to turn those dreams into reality. And as the saying goes, God never lets sincere effort go to waste.
Born on April 23, 1977, in the US state of Massachusetts, John Felix was a physically weak and rather timid child. In his early years, first in the neighborhood and later at school, being bullied by older and stronger boys became a routine part of his life. This continued until he was 12 years old—until the day he finally conquered his fear, fought back, and defeated an older boy. That moment proved to be the biggest turning point of his life.
That same Christmas, instead of asking his father for toys, John Felix requested a weightlifting bench. By the time he finished high school, the once-fragile child had transformed into an impressive and powerful bodybuilder. Little did anyone know that the boy who took up bodybuilding to escape childhood beatings would, within a few years, become the world-famous wrestler John Cena—the John Cena who would go on to win the world championship an astonishing 17 times in just 20 years.
The road to this historic achievement, however, was anything but easy. Success demands sacrifice, and only those who have the courage to confront hardship and pain head-on can reach their destination.
After high school, John Cena moved to California to pursue bodybuilding professionally. He found work at a gym in Venice Beach, where his duties ranged from folding towels to cleaning toilets. His financial condition was so dire that he could not afford to rent an apartment or a house. It may come as a surprise that for several years, John Cena slept in the back seat of his 1991 model car.
Over time, he realized that bodybuilding was a pathway—but not the final destination. Consequently, in 1999, he formally stepped into the world of professional wrestling and began training. This was an era dominated by legends such as The Rock, The Undertaker, and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Cena started competing in—and winning—minor wrestling bouts, though the gem had yet to catch a jeweler’s eye.
In 2001, John Cena joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), later renamed World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). The defining moment came on June 27, 2002, during a SmackDown event. Olympic gold medalist and renowned wrestler Kurt Angle stood in the ring, challenging new opponents. Suddenly, a young man sprinted in, slid under the ropes, and stood face-to-face with Angle—it was John Cena.
Surprised, Kurt Angle asked what made him worthy of stepping into the ring. Cena responded with what would become his iconic phrase: “Ruthless Aggression,” and instantly slapped Angle across the face. The arena fell silent. No one had imagined such audacity from a newcomer. Although Cena lost that match, his fearless challenge to Kurt Angle opened the doors to success.
Over the next two decades, John Cena lifted the world championship belt 17 times—an extraordinary record. From 2003 to 2025, he remained WWE’s most popular and widely admired superstar. He won more than 30 major titles, including a record 14 WWE Championships, three World Heavyweight Championships, four WWE United States Championships, one WWE Intercontinental Championship, two World Tag Team Championships, and numerous other accolades. He also became the 35th Triple Crown Champion and the 25th Grand Slam Champion in WWE history.
In 2006, Cena entered the film industry, successfully portraying roles in both comedy and action films. Just as in wrestling, success followed him to the big screen. His notable films include The Marine, Trainwreck, Blockers, Bumblebee, The Suicide Squad, and F9 from the Fast & Furious franchise. From 2022 to 2025, he also played the lead role in the superhero series Peacemaker.
Few people know that John Cena’s life has two lesser-known yet remarkable dimensions. Alongside bodybuilding in his early years, he had a passion for music and proved to be a talented rapper. In 2005, he released his rap album You Can’t See Me, which became a major hit and reached 15th position on the Billboard 200 chart.
Another beautiful aspect of Cena’s life is his deep compassion and love for humanity. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he has fulfilled more than 650 wishes—the highest number by any individual associated with the organization. The foundation grants wishes to children suffering from terminal cancer, often fulfilling their desire to meet a favorite personality or experience a cherished dream.
John Cena fought his final professional match on December 13, 2025. The illustrious career of WWE’s 17-time world champion came to an end on Saturday night at Washington’s Capital One Arena, where he was defeated by Gunther. Cena delivered three Attitude Adjustments, including a dramatic top-rope move, but despite his valiant effort, victory eluded him. Ultimately, Gunther secured the win by locking Cena in a sleeper hold.
Several celebrities and wrestling legends, including Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Trish Stratus, and Eve Torres, were present at the special ceremony. Emotional scenes followed as a tearful John Cena addressed the fans, saying:
“This was all I have.”
After the match, fellow wrestlers, including CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, entered the ring and placed championship belts on Cena’s shoulders. The crowd echoed with chants of “Thank You, Cena,” as he embraced Triple H and watched his final video tribute.
Thus came the end of the remarkable journey of a legendary wrestler, a successful actor, a talented rapper, and a kind-hearted human being. Undoubtedly, John Cena will be remembered for a long time across all these arenas.
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