is one of the biggest names in history, but it wasn’t always that way.
The 16-time world champion burst onto the scene with his SmackDown debut against Kurt Angle in 2002, having come through then-development promotion Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) in the same class as Shelton Benjamin, Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton.
He’s now a huge name in Hollywood, but just over two decades ago he was and having to scrape to get by.
He put pen to paper on his first deal with the company in 2000, and he’s now revealed his salary was just $12,000 a year under that contract.
‘My first contract with WWE was $12,000 a year. I quit my job the day I was signed. I think my rent was $1,000 a month. So all my money is now rent,’ he recalled in a chat with Kevin Hart for his Hart to Heart series.
He admitted his mum Carol was a bit worried by his situation, but his dad John Cena Sr. – who has his own experience in the wrestling world as a promoter and manager – was more enthusiastic.
He added: ‘When I told my mom, she’s like, “I hope you’re okay”. My dad, I could have told him any other position and he would have been like, “Yeah, whatever,” but I told him I got a job with WWE.
‘”Oh, my son. This is unreal. It’s going to great. I can’t believe it.” Still, to this day, he’s extremely proud.’
Cena has gone on to become one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, and followed in the footsteps of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson by transitioning into acting and becoming a major force in Hollywood.
He made a surprise return for the first time since WrestleMania as helast weekend at The O2 arena in London to the delight of the live crowd.
Cena has even caused a stir by leading calls for WrestleMania itself to come to London, while on the subject while talking to Metro.co.uk after the show.
‘As far as WrestleMania goes, it’s tough! I wish it was that easy, I wish it was as easy as saying, “Man, it’s phenomenal there, let’s go.” We’d be going to a lot of places,’ he said in the press conference.
‘It’s a lot more difficult than it appears, but the intent is there. If there’s a way to get a lot of these international events done, we’re hellbent on doing them.’
