In 2002, John Cena started his main roster journey in the WWE. The West Newbury, Massachusetts, native made an immediate impression by answering Kurt Angle's challenge on the June 27, 2002 episode of SmackDown.
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Telling Angle that he entered the ring to give him "Ruthless Aggression," Cena had a very competitive match against the Olympic gold medalist. In fact, after the match, The Undertaker gave him praise backstage, which gave him an even bigger boost of confidence.
Less than two years after his main roster debut, Cena had an opportunity to compete for the WWE Championship, participating in a triple threat match against The Big Show and Kurt Angle to determine who would be the No. 1 contender for the title at WrestleMania XX.
Cena's career, and his bank account, would never be the same.
John Cena WWE Career
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Although Cena was unsuccessful, he did win the United States Championship at WrestleMania XX by defeating The Big Show. Before winning the United States Championship, Cena went from a cookie-cutter-style babyface to a rapper heel, coining himself as the "Doctor of Thuganomics".
Despite his heelish antics, his popularity as a WWE superstar increased, and he once again become a good guy (but now much edgier). Less than three years after his main roster debut, Cena defeated John "Bradshaw" Layfield to become WWE Champion for the first time at WrestleMania 21.
Since 2005, Cena has been the top babyface of World Wrestling Entertainment, despite receiving mixed reactions for a large portion of his reign on top. During this time, Cena has formed notable rivalries against names such as Edge, Batista, Randy Orton, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, AJ Styles, and Brock Lesnar, among others.
John Cena Hollywood Career
Winning the world title on 16 occasions, the Royal Rumble twice, the U.S. title five times, the Tag Team Championship four times, and the Money in the Bank contract, John Cena is undoubtedly one of the most successful WWE wrestlers of all time as a result of building up a legendary resume.
Starting his professional wrestling career in Ultimate Pro Wrestling as The Prototype, winning the UPW World Heavyweight Championship while competing for the promotion, Cena was recruited by the WWF in 2000, as officially signed a contract to start with the then-WWF developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling, in 2001.
In addition to a successful wrestling career, Cena started a career in Hollywood as a featured actor in 2006, starring in trending films such as 12 Rounds, The Marine, Trainwreck, Bumblebee, Ferdinand, Daddy's Home, Daddy's Home 2, Dolittle, Blockers, The Wall and Playing With Fire as well as featured in TV shows such as Manhunt, Saturday Night Live, and was the new host for the relaunch of Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
John Cena Wife
John Cena is a married man again 💍
Cena and girlfriend Shay Shariatzadeh reportedly got married in a private ceremony on Monday
...too bad we couldn't see it
(via @PWInsidercom) pic.twitter.com/nswxF4ki9s
— B/R Wrestling (@BRWrestling) October 15, 2020
John Cena is married to Shay Shariatzadeh. The two tied the knot in a private ceremony in October 2020 in Tampa, Florida.
Shariatzadeh previously studied electrical and electronics engineering at the University of British Columbia before working in Vancouver, Canada, according to E! Online.
The pair reportedly began dating in 2019. According to Hollywood Life, they were first spotted on a date in March 2019. They made an official public appearance together at the New York City red carpet premiere of Playing With Fire in October 2019.
What is John Cena's Net Worth?
From high school bodybuilding success to multi-time world champion and successful actor, the Cushing Academy and Springfield College Exercise Physiology graduate has also used his rise to superstardom to become one of the biggest contributors to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, granting over 600 wishes.
In his personal life, Cena was married to Elizabeth Huberdeau for three years and previously engaged to former WWE star Nikki Bella for six years after proposing to her at WrestleMania 33. John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. is also a huge car enthusiast whose collection features at least 20 muscle cars, some of which are one-of-a-kind.
Since 2015, Cena has spent more time concentrating on his acting career in California, and is now a part of the Fast & Furious series.
John Cena has an estimated net worth of $60 million in 2021, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Forbes recorded in 2017 that Cena was the second highest-paid wrestler at an estimated $8 million.
Celebrity Net Worth adds that the American professional wrestler and former bodybuilder has earned his $60 million from his career as a pro wrestler, actor, as well as his rap album, "You Can't See Me", which reached No. 15 on the Billboard charts.
This article was originally published August 25, 2019 but has been updated since his marriage.
