“I Don’t Care”: Ten Years After Final WrestleMania Main Event Appearance, John Cena Makes a Confession About His Position as ‘Face of WWE’

It is the ultimate dream of every pro wrestler to be featured in the main event of the Grandest Stage of them all, WrestleMania. While some have realized their dreams, others are still fighting their way to the top. But John Cena has a totally opposite philosophy that helped him have a very successful career in the WWE. 

John Cena is a great example of a curtain-jerker becoming a main-event talent. He made his debut in 2002, exuding Ruthless Aggression by slapping Kurt Angle across his face. However, after a lackluster initial run, Cena rose to prominence as a main-event star in WWE. 

John Cena believes being a pro wrestler should not just be about being in main-event matches

John Cena’s gimmick change undeniably gentrified his career. After adopting the ‘Doctor of Thugonomics’ gimmick, Cena transitioned to the mid-cards. And not long after, he started main eventing shows and PPVs. But the Hollywood star’s idea of success is not about being a main event talent. 

While speaking with Sam Roberts of Notsam Wrestling, the sixteen-time World Champion revealed his secret to having a storied 20-year career. Although John Cena was the torchbearer of the company for the longest time, for him, his success wasn’t limited to main eventing WrestleMania or being the top Champion in WWE. The Cenation leader enjoyed putting himself “on the field” and exploring other opportunities. 

After headlining WrestleMania 29 with The Rock, John Cena rubbed elbows with mid-card wrestlers like Bray Wyatt and Rusev. In addition, he enjoyed another longstanding reign as the US Champion. Who can forget John Cena’s weekly US Championship open challenge? 

During the interview, Cena said, “You don’t need to be the last match(at WM). I had a hell of a career after the Metlife thing(WrestleMania 29). Like, you don’t need to be last. I was just getting me on the field. I don’t care what it is, just get me out there. That’s only my perspective. I can say, there is no wrong. So I don’t think the other way is a waste of time but I do know that I’ve gotten 20 years worth of moments with this philosophy.”

In all fairness, John Cena stepping down from the main event picture allowed other rising stars to have their moment headlining shows and becoming top champions. This just goes to show John Cena’s positive outlook on having a good career, even as a mid-card wrestler. And without a doubt, Cena brought just as much prestige to the US Championship as he did to the WWE Championship. 

Read More: Amidst Dealing With XFL’s $60M Loss & Building Teremana’s Distillery, Dwayne Johnson Spares Time to Reveal His Pick for “One of the Greatest Shows Ever”

Even though John Cena headlined WrestleMania five times, his philosophy substantiates that having a successful run in WWE goes beyond being the last match, even as the face of the company. 

When did Cena last main event WrestleMania?

In 2006, John Cena faced Triple H in the main event of WrestleMania 22. The Champ defended his WWE Championship against The Game in a winning effort. One year later, John Cena faced Shawn Michaels in the main event of WrestleMania 23, 2007. 

Furthermore, Cena then headlined the show of shows in 2011, 2012, and 2013. In his last WrestleMania main event match, he faced The Rock for the second time. In their previous match at WrestleMania 28, billed “Once in a Lifetime”,  Cena found himself on the losing side. However, after a turbulent year, he avenged his loss at WrestleMania 29, 2013. 

Watch This Story: Seth Rollins set to make MCU debut in sequel to $1 billion grossing blockbuster: Which character is the Monday Night Messiah playing?

Nevertheless, Mr. Hustle Loyalty Respect recently made his comeback at WrestleMania 39 kicking off the show against Austin Theory. What are your thoughts on John Cena’s philosophy? Let us know in the comments.