Latest news with #TheDoctorofThuganomics


Mint
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
'I doubled down on being myself': John Cena recalls his rise from bullied kid to WWE champion
Washington DC [US], August 8 (ANI): Hollywood star John Cena opened up about his rise from bullied kid to WWE champion and how he became a successful actor. He started his fitness journey at 13, when he was tired of being beaten up by bullies and asked his dad for a weight set. "I got picked on for dressing a certain way or acting a certain way," he said. But the experience "made me realise what was important in my life. I doubled down on being myself. And as a 12-, 13-, 14-year-old that doesn't even have a fully formed mind yet, I just knew, 'Hey, man, don't waver. Just be you.' That's what helped me," reported People. After graduating from Springfield College, he made his mark in Ultimate Pro Wrestling and made a name for himself in WWE, first under the moniker "The Doctor of Thuganomics," then quickly adopting a "Superman, Goody Two-Shoes" image in the ring. He stayed that way for 22 years. According to Guinness World Records, he held the record for the longest run that any pro wrestler had gone without becoming a "bad guy," until March 1, when he beat up Cody Rhodes and joined rival Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in a shocking "heel turn," according to People. These moments have all been a part of his "farewell" tour from the WWE after he made the shocking announcement last July that he is retiring from the ring in 2025. "Age plays a factor," he said. "I'm not as strong or as fast as I used to be. I made a promise when I started gaining some notoriety that when I'm a step slower, I will go, because there will be kids just as hungry as I was who have earned a shot to see if they can make it," reported People. Cena first tested his big-screen charisma with his film debut, The Marine, in 2006, but admitted that he started acting to get more people to watch WWE, as per the outlet. He quickly learned his lesson. "I was run out of the movie business in 2009 for doing bad movies where I wasn't present," he shared, adding, "I thought that just because I wore a golden leather belt on Monday and Friday, they'd come see whatever I'm doing. It's not true," reported People. He returned with comedic roles in 2015 with Trainwreck, Sisters and Daddy's Home, and did action roles in the Transformers and Fast & Furious franchises. He expanded his role as Peacemaker, an egotistical vigilante in 2021's Suicide Squad, into an acclaimed HBO Max series a year later, as per the outlet. "I hope to remain curious and healthy -- and that's physically, spiritually, mentally," he said, adding "As long as I have love, health and curiosity for what life has to offer, I think it'll work out," reported People. (ANI)


Time of India
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
John Cena vs. The Anoa'i Family — A WWE rivalry that crossed generations
Image via WWE John Cena has had rivalries with the Anoa'i family across various generations. John Cena has been a part of WWE since 2002, and his career has spanned over two decades. In such a lengthy tenure, Cena has battled multiple opponents, who have been top names in the business. Interestingly, The Unseen 17 has a list of illustrious foes who share the same lineage and are part of one of the greatest wrestling families: the Anoa'i Family. John Cena has had altercations with various members of the Anoa'i Family in WWE WWE Universe saw the debut of John Cena in 2002, when he answered Kurt Angle's Open Challenge for a match. Sometime later, when he debuted his popular gimmick, The Doctor of Thuganomics, his first rival from the Anoa'i family was Rikishi. The duo shared their ring for segments and matches, which were crucial for Cena's rise as a top star. Next up on the list to feud with Cena from the wrestling family was late WWE legend Umaga. The Cenation Leader and The Samoan Bulldozer engaged in a heated feud over the WWE Championship, with Cena managing to retain his title in multiple matches. However, Umaga gave him some of the hardest-hitting and physically battering matches of his career. After that, it was a clash of two of the biggest stars of their respective generations, The Rock and John Cena. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Wrinkles? No. Philips Garment Steamers Book Now Undo Cena's feud with one of the most accomplished superstars from the Anoa'i family led to two huge WrestleMania main event matches that were a spectacular sight to witness. As John Cena took up a more part-time schedule, his next foe from the Anoa'i clan was the biggest star of this generation, Roman Reigns . While Cena managed to defeat The Rock once, he has never beaten The OTC in the two singles showdowns they had in 2017 and 2021. On the other hand, the 17-time World Champion even had altercations with The Usos, years later, after his feud with their father, Rikishi. He shared the ring with them as well, but never in a singles contest. The last superstar that Cena feuded with, who is a part of the Anoa'i family, is Solo Sikoa. This came in 2023, when Cena returned for a brief tenure. However, Solo won the rivalry with a dominating performance at the WWE Crown Jewel event. This has made 'The Last Real Champion' one of the few stars to have such a lengthy rivalry with one of the most respected wrestling families in history. Also read: John Cena set to wrestle on WWE SmackDown for the first time in nearly three years