2025 will go down as an enormous 12 months for John Cena. By the point December thirty first rolls round, the 16-time world champion (however doubtlessly 17-time champion after Wrestlemania 41 in Las Vegas) may have donned his iconic ensemble of a brightly coloured t-shirt, matching terrycloth wristbands, and jean shorts for the final time. When the 12 months ends, he has vowed that his skilled wrestling profession will come to an finish after 25 unbelievable years.
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Nonetheless, that does not imply that the Chief of the Cenation can be fully disappearing from the general public eye when he wraps up his in-ring life. Whereas he’ll function a WWE ambassador in numerous capacities, the West Newbury, Massachusetts native will proceed a budding appearing profession that started again in 2006 with a starring position in WWE Movies’ “The Marine.” Since then, he has gone on to look in tasks similar to fan-favorite USA collection “Psych,” the worldwide phenomenon generally known as “Barbie,” and the insanely superior “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” However he is additionally been proving himself to be a serious participant who belongs in larger positions on the decision sheet.
Earlier than (or after) seeing him headline the second night time of Wrestlemania on Peacock (or Netflix, if you happen to’re watching internationally) towards “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship, listed below are a few of John Cena’s greatest films and TV reveals to binge every time the temper strikes.
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Complete Divas/Complete Bellas
All through the majority of his profession, John Cena has been generally known as the quintessential good man in skilled wrestling. Though, his followers acquired a complete new take a look at him and his life outdoors the ring because of the groundbreaking actuality collection “Complete Divas,” in addition to its spinoff “Complete Bellas.”
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Airing on E! for 9 seasons between 2013 and 2019, “Complete Divas” pulled the curtain again on the lives of assorted members of the WWE ladies’s locker room. Twin wrestlers Nikki and Brie Bella had been a distinguished a part of the solid for your complete run of the present, so viewers got entry to those now-WWE Corridor of Famers and their households. Since Nikki was courting Cena on the time, he was additionally prominently featured within the franchise.
The John Cena depicted in these reveals is fairly totally different than the character he portrays on WWE programming. Let’s simply say that he is fairly specific about the way in which he lives his life. In a single episode, he offered Bella with a 75-page doc that outlined the family guidelines earlier than she moved in with him. Positive, actuality tv is usually extra scripted than skilled wrestling, however some of these items was virtually too loopy to be made up. Whether or not these conditions had been really based mostly in actuality or not, many followers joked that “Complete Divas” and “Complete Bellas” had been the one locations that wrestling followers might see him act like a heel once more (till just lately). Whereas it might be nice to get the behind-the-scenes filth on this period of Cena’s profession, not less than there’s nonetheless loads of perception to be uncovered on these reveals that opened up the wrestling fandom to a complete new demographic of followers.
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F9: The Quick Saga
Outdoors of the ring, John Cena is an avid automotive collector. His assortment incorporates iconic automobiles similar to a 1969 MGC GT, a 1970 Plymouth Superbird, and even a 1989 Jeep Wrangler. He even managed to spin his love of automobiles into “What Drives You” on Roku, which sees Cena interviewing celebrities about their favourite autos. So together with his love of vehicles well-documented, it was solely a matter of time till he appeared in one of the iconic motion film franchises of all time: The “Quick and Livid” franchise
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Cena made his first look within the collection in 2021’s “F9” (AKA “F9: The Quick Saga” or “Quick & Livid 9”). On this universe, he performs Jakob, a grasp thief and murderer who additionally occurs to be Dominic Toretto’s (Vin Diesel) long-lost brother. After a high-octane, death-defying recreation of cat and mouse between the 2 brothers throughout the globe, Dom and Jakob would finally reconcile after years of resentment and uncertainty over their father’s loss of life and Dom’s banishment of his brother from the household.
Jakob additionally seems within the 2023 movie “Quick X,” the place he spends a big chunk of the film defending his nephew from Dante Reyes’ henchmen earlier than in the end sacrificing himself in a heroic blaze of glory that permits Dom and Little B to get away unscathed. Whereas it could seem to be we have seen the final of the center Toretto sibling, you by no means actually know if anybody’s really useless on this universe. However even when he is not alive for the subsequent and remaining installment of “The Quick Saga,” there are nonetheless loads of epic automotive stunts in Cena’s future, as he may also star within the upcoming action-adventure comedy “Matchbox,” which relies on the beloved toy automotive model.
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Jackpot!
Motion-adventure is a good style for John Cena to point out off the vary of his appearing skills. After his a few years within the ring, he’s very able to dealing with stunt-heavy roles. However quite than being relegated to solely critically action-packed films, he is additionally gained glorious comedic timing. One latest entry on his IMDb the place he will get to showcase each is “Jackpot!” alongside fellow rapper-turned-actor Awkwafina. (Sure, John Cena made precise rap music past his WWE entrance theme.)
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This hit Prime Video unique from director Paul Feig options the “Nora From Queens” star as Katie, the 2030 winner of the Grand Lottery. However this is not any common lottery. This can be a contest supported by the state of California that awards one fortunate participant a life-changing amount of cash. The catch is that the dropping gamers have till sunset to legally hunt and kill the winner (with out utilizing weapons) so as to declare their prize. Cena performs freelance lottery safety agent Noel, who finds Katie and provides his providers to get her to sunset unscathed.
If this film had been launched within the Nineteen Nineties, it might have been the proper summer time blockbuster to flee to the warmth and benefit from the air-con for some time. It is easy, enjoyable, and usually entertaining. The complete solid, which additionally consists of Awkwafina’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” co-star Simu Liu, actually delivers the type of good time that may have been excellent for a theatrical launch. As a substitute, it went straight to Amazon’s streamer, the place subscribers can and may throw it on for a laid-back film night time.
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Trip Mates
Just like “Jackpot!” on Prime Video, “Trip Mates” hit Hulu in late August 2021 to little fanfare. Nonetheless, as extra individuals began to stream it, this buddy comedy concerning the loopy individuals you meet whereas on trip picked up sufficient steam to attain a sequel and a particular place in Cena’s filmography.
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Previous to this movie, the prolific professional wrestler had racked up his justifiable share of foolish characters who meant properly. However this time, the guts shines by means of just a little bit greater than, for instance, his featured roles in “Trainwreck” or “Sisters.” Regardless of being the polar reverse of Lil Rel Howery’s Marcus, Cena’s Ron manages to search out their widespread floor and stays loyal to his new buddy by means of each trial and tribulation they encounter whereas vacationing in Mexico, in addition to every escalating problem that arises on the highway to the formal marriage of Marcus and Yvonne Orji’s Emily.
The chemistry between Howard, Orji, Cena, and Meredith Hagner (who performs Ron’s equally wild and carefree companion Kyla) is simple and easily a pleasure to observe onscreen. The farcical elements of the plot could also be textbook at occasions, however the execution makes all of it worthwhile since issues simply proceed to escalate in a most entertaining vogue. Effectively, not for Marcus or Emily at first, however followers of one of these comedy ought to actually have a blast with “Trip Mates.”
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Ricky Stanicky
When Oscar Wilde wrote “The Significance of Being Earnest,” it is exhausting to think about that he ever considered somebody like John Cena embracing the concept of bunburying. That is the notion of constructing up an individual with the intent to deliver them up every time a plausible excuse is required to get out of a social obligation. Nonetheless, he and his co-stars in “Ricky Stanicky” take this concept to completely new ranges of outrageous.
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On this 2024 Prime Video launch from legendary comedic filmmaker Peter Farrelly, a trio of younger associates make up a fourth member of their group to take the blame for a Halloween prank gone flawed. Many fictional situations unfold throughout 20 years later, their grown-up counterparts performed by Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, and Andrew Santino proceed the misinform get out of a child bathe. However when their companions lastly begin to get suspicious of the existence of Ricky Stanicky, they rent an actor to deliver their creation to life.
If this film had been in anybody else’s arms, it might have simply been a “Marriage ceremony Crashers” knockoff. Nonetheless, because of an exceptional solid and Farrelly’s expertise from beloved comedies similar to “Dumb and Dumber,” “Me, Myself, & Irene,” and “There’s One thing About Mary,” there was a degree of sincerity that shone by means of the absurdity of “Ricky Stanicky.” Plus, Cena actually did not maintain something again on this position. He actually put each single weapon in his arsenal to good use to create what’s in all probability one among his greatest performances so far.
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The Bear
Regardless of being as anxious as working within the kitchen of a real-life high-quality eating institution, “The Bear” is among the greatest tv reveals airing proper now. The acclaimed FX collection touts a particularly gifted solid together with Jeremy Allen White, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Ayo Edebiri, and extra. However as unbelievable because the common solid is, the present created by Christopher Storer additionally options a powerful steady of recurring visitor stars similar to Jon Bernthal, Oliver Platt, Gillian Jacobs, and Sarah Paulson, amongst many others. However what occurred when John Cena signed on to hitch this award-winning solid? Effectively, it is secure to say that nobody actually noticed it coming.
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On this planet of “The Bear,” the Faks are very near Carmy and the Berzatto household. All of them grew up collectively and proceed to work collectively to at the present time. Matty Matheson’s Neil Fak was launched within the first season as a well-meaning but eccentric handyman who does his greatest to assist the restaurant run easily. Later, Neil enlists the assistance of Ricky Staffieri’s Teddy Fak, who’s simply as eccentric and candy as his brother. However because the Faks proceed to unfold themselves skinny, they carry in yet one more member of the household to again them up: their brother Sammy.
Although he could look very totally different than the opposite Faks, Cena’s Sammy may be very a lot a member of the household. This turns into apparent when he threatens to “hang-out” Teddy over some lacking SD playing cards. Not solely did this character come out of nowhere, however the viewers fell in love with him as a lot as they did upon assembly his equally endearing brothers. With the collection renewed for a fourth season, hopefully we’ve not seen the final of those very bizarre and wonderful brothers. In actual fact, let’s meet extra Faks within the season(s) to return!
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Bumblebee
“Bumblebee” marked various firsts for the live-action “Transformers” franchise. This film was the primary spinoff and prequel, the primary not directed by Michael Bay, and it was the primary (and to this point solely) installment written by a girl. For John Cena, this was his first foray into a serious IP, as he performed Agent Jack Burns, a former US Military Colonel and Sector 7 operative tasked with assessing the specter of the titular Autobot. Whereas this might have simply been yet one more large robots preventing film, it turned out to be one of the best “Transformers” film for the reason that authentic one from 2007.
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“Bumblebee” follows Hailee Steinfeld as Charlie Watson, an 18-year-old with an affinity for automobiles who’s going by means of a troublesome time as a result of lack of her father. Her life is upended when B-127 lands on Earth to determine a brand new base for the Autobots as they attempt to escape the continuing battle with the Decepticons on their residence planet of Cybertron. When the 2 meet in a junkyard whereas he is disguised as a 967 yellow Volkswagen Beetle, Charlie dubs him Bumblebee after she learns that her new automotive/buddy suffered harm to his voice field and reminiscence core. However their meet-cute is short-lived as they’re quickly pursued by the nefarious Decepticons and peacekeeping company Sector 7.
Regardless of the backdrop of an enormous summer time blockbuster, “Bumblebee” delivers a way more targeted and intimate character-driven story about loss, resilience, and the origins of a hero. To at the present time, this movie stays among the finest general productions that Cena has been part of. It is positively value a rewatch if you have not seen it shortly.
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Blockers
Like “Bumblebee,” John Cena is just one piece of the puzzle that makes “Blockers” such a terrific film. This coming-of-age intercourse comedy casts the WWE Famous person as a involved father who’s having hassle accepting that his daughter (performed by Geraldine Viswanathan of “Miracle Employees” and the upcoming Marvel film “Thunderbolts*”) is turning into a girl. So when he and fellow mother and father performed by Leslie Mann and Ike Barinholtz uncover their daughters’ pact to lose their virginity on their promenade night time, they resolve to do every little thing they’ll to dam that from taking place.
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Traditionally, teen intercourse comedies have been a male-dominated style. However “Blockers” efficiently flips the story to not solely give the feminine perspective a correct highlight, nevertheless it additionally brings the mother and father’ perspective entrance and middle as properly. The movie ought to be ranked amongst “Quick Occasions At Ridgemont Excessive,” “American Pie,” “Superbad,” and different raunchy teen comedies as a ceremony of passage viewing. Like its predecessors, it is extremely humorous, even to the purpose of absurd at occasions. Nonetheless, there’s additionally a ton of coronary heart on the movie’s core and it provides a wholesome and logical method to a time in an individual’s life that may be crammed with self-doubt and peer stress. Plus, along with turning into a signature position for Cena, it additionally served as a terrific car for the younger trio of Viswanathan, Gideon Adlon, and Kathryn Newton, who’ve all gone on to do superior issues since starring in “Pitch Excellent” author Kay Cannon’s directorial debut.
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Peacemaker/The Suicide Squad
It is apparent from taking a look at him that John Cena was at all times going to be solid as a superhero. However regardless of being dubbed “Tremendous Cena” by the WWE Universe for years, he wasn’t chosen as the subsequent Man of Metal. As a substitute, James Gunn had a way more obscure DC character in thoughts for him: Peacemaker.
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Created within the Sixties by created by author Joe Gill and artist Pat Boyette for Charlton Comics, the fashionable model of Christopher Smith’s vigilante antihero debuted within the pages of DC Comics in 1988. Then, simply as he did with the Guardians of the Galaxy within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Gunn put his personal spin on the character for his massive display screen debut in 2021’s “The Suicide Squad,” which made audiences simply fall in love with the character. In actual fact, Peacemaker was initially meant to remain useless on the finish of that movie, however his reputation grew a lot that the filmmaker developed a Max authentic collection that revived Smith and dove deeper into his story.
Who would have thought that viewers would flock in the direction of a ruthless, jingoistic mercenary who’s trying to determine peace by any means mandatory, irrespective of how many individuals he has to kill so as to do it? Effectively, it seems that the douchey Captain America who says and does among the most out of pocket stuff within the DC Universe has some trauma to confront, and we like to see how he offers with it. Or possibly Smith’s pet sidekick Eagly endears him to the plenty. Both approach, John Cena was the proper selection for this position, and we’re counting down the times till his return within the extremely anticipated second season of his acclaimed Max collection.
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WWE Uncooked/WWE Smackdown
As nice as so lots of his movie and tv roles have been over time, John Cena’s leisure profession all began within the squared circle. Skilled wrestling gave him the expertise of performing dwell on tv and in entrance of legions of rabid followers on a nightly foundation for many years. His expertise within the WWE was invaluable for his growth as an actor for thus many causes, so we have now to acknowledge all the good work that he did on each “Uncooked” and “Smackdown” as he turned the worldwide celebrity we all know at present.
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Since each collection below the WWE umbrella are among the many longest-running episodic reveals in historical past and have produced over a thousand episodes every, Cena’s involvement may be a drop within the bucket within the grand scheme of issues. Nonetheless, he has been a part of a number of storylines over the previous 25 years that brought about his character to evolve and develop. His rivalries with Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, Edge, Triple H, JBL, and others actually put him on the map, as he went from The Prototype of an expert wrestler to the rapping and trash-talking Physician of Thuganomics, in addition to the household pleasant superhero to the jaded, fed up, and motivated gatekeeper at present feuding with Cody Rhodes.
Though, if you happen to had been to return and revisit a few of his best moments within the WWE, you’d see Cena on the dropping finish as a rule. His feuds with CM Punk, The Miz, and “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt present that his character is simply as sturdy in coping with a loss as when he is on high of the mountain. However irrespective of which highlights you are viewing, Cena will carry the teachings he realized within the WWE into his Hollywood profession and past.
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