Wrestling icon John Cena is set to enter the ring one last time on December 14. Amid fan theories, speculations, and rumours, city-based fans share their views
John Cena. PICS COURTESY/WWE, Instagram
John Cena’s popularity can be summed up in the fact that he’s probably the only wrestler whose entry theme song once doubled as countless young Indians’ ringtones. The longevity of his career can be gauged by how long it’s been since anyone even bothered to set a ringtone. Twenty-three years after the wrestler, author, rapper, and serial Make-A-Wish granter first set foot in a ring, Cena now has his eyes on the The Last Time Is Now tournament, where 16 professional WWE wrestlers are battling it out to face the 48-year-old John Cena in the final match on December 14.
One for all
John Cena entered the scene in a baggy shirt, cargo shorts and a heavy chain — almost like a hip-hop star — at a time when the scene was all about Rock and Roll. I was intrigued by his look, and even tried to replicate it. His 2005 album, You Can’t See Me was unprecedented. In 2006, when Cena came down to Mumbai to perform with rapper Ishq Bector in a shopping mall, it was a dream come true.
John Cena in his first WWE match in 2002
Unfortunately, I couldn’t meet my hero because my ninth grade exams coincided with the visit. In 2020, when The Undertaker, another wrestling icon retired, it was heartbreaking to watch an unceremonious farewell. Ahead of Cena’s ‘last dance’, I have my fingers crossed to witness a fitting goodbye to Cena, irrespective of the result.
Gaurav Gambhir, 33, beatboxer, Mira Road
LOG ON TO You Can’t See Me on Spotify (to listen to the album)
On-ground tribute
I was thrilled when the WWE team reached out to me to create a rangoli tribute to the legend. I worked restlessly for two days to bring it to life. I was initially told John would leave a like or comment on the Instagram post featuring my artwork.
But to everybody’s surprise, he loved it so much that he ended up posting a picture of me making the rangoli, on his page. I have fond memories of watching WWE Raw matches with my brothers at home. They got me hooked on the series. The last match is a bittersweet moment; I hope to catch it with my family one last time.
Sonal Kewalramani, 22, finance graduate, St Xavier’s College, Dhobi Talao
LOG ON TO @kuki_artkid (to view the artwork)
Talk of the town
When I was in school, my friends and I would wake up at 5.30 am, sometimes earlier, just to watch John Cena wrestle The Rock, Undertaker, CM Punk, and Rey Mysterio. I remember the time when John Cena went up against Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson in Wrestlemania 29.
That was one game everyone had their eye on. We had discussions continuing for days leading up to the main event. That was a match to remember not because John played brilliantly, but because it cemented the idea of a legend. Leading up to the final match, I’m waiting to see Cena hit his signature move, Attitude Adjustment, and finish it with the four golden words, “You can’t see me.”
Yash Karia, 25, content writer, Kandivli
LOG ON TO WWE on Youtube (to watch Wrestlemania 29)
Super Cena in India
Here are four times the wrestler wooed Indian audiences
Rollin’ in Hyderabad
Cena linked up with wrestler Seth Rollins for an exhibition match in Hyderabad in September 2023, drawing a 5000-strong crowd.
To the Moon
Indian fans were in for a pleasant surprise when John Cena posted a picture of the Indian flag as a gesture of appreciation after ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 moon landing in 2023.
Wedding bells
Cena made an unexpected cameo at Anant Ambani’s wedding in Mumbai. Cena caught up with superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and credited Khan’s TED Talk as a source of inspiration.
Mumbai musings
In 2006, John Cena toured Mumbai and performed a freestyle rap to a hip-hop beat with popular rapper Ishq Bector
Where to watch
Sony Sports 1 and Sony LIV app; December 14, 6.30 am
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