From Skepticism to Stardom: The Untold Story
Vince McMahon, the mastermind behind WWE, hasn’t always been a fan of John Cena, a man he now considers among the greatest—if not the greatest—in WWE history. The journey from initial hesitation to all-out admiration has been nothing short of fascinating, and it involves a bus, a rap, and a monumental misunderstanding.
A Rocky Start in the WWE Universe
“It wasn’t always easy for Cena because in his first six months on the main WWE roster in 2002, he really wasn’t connecting well as a generic, muscular good guy.”
John Cena wasn’t an instant hit when he debuted on WWE’s main stage in 2002. Despite his impressive physique, he was perceived as just another muscle-bound wrestler with no distinctive character. Vince McMahon himself wasn’t initially sold on Cena, seeing him as a “steroid freak” in the early days.
The Turning Point: A Bus Ride in Europe
Sometimes, life-changing opportunities come when you least expect them. For Cena, this came during a European tour. The entire WWE crew found themselves on a bus together, where Cena took a chance to display an unusual talent: freestyle rapping.
“I think they were coming back from a show, and he was rapping on the bus. And, Stephanie [McMahon] heard that, and asked if he could do it on TV,” said John Cena Sr., the father of the wrestling icon, in an interview with Pancakes & Powerslams.
This single act was a game-changer. Management was impressed, and soon after, Cena found his voice—literally—on WWE television.
The Doctor of Thuganomics Is Born
The change wasn’t immediate, but it was transformative. Cena adopted the persona of the “Doctor of Thuganomics,” which was a hit with fans and provided him a distinct identity.
“[Bruce Prichard] and Vince [McMahon] were standing [in the locker room] and John walked by. Vince said, ‘we gotta get rid of this dude. I can’t have a steroid freak walking around here.’ [And others said], ‘The guy’s legal. We test him every day, you know, he’s there.’ That’s how it all became, and then, I guess they got down, they sat down, and they worked out the Doctor of Thuganomics,” Cena Sr. continued.
Contrary to Cena Sr.’s initial memory, this turning point actually came during a Halloween episode of Smackdown in 2002, where Cena was dressed as Vanilla Ice, the famous rapper from a decade earlier. This shift in character—and in Vince McMahon’s perception of Cena—set the stage for the greatness that would follow.
Clean as a Whistle
One thing that should be clarified is John Cena’s integrity regarding drug use. John Cena Sr. emphasized that his son is “legal in terms of drug testing.”
“There have been no reports of Cena ever failing a drug test or using performance-enhancing drugs in his career.”
A Tale of Evolution
From being the underwhelming new guy on the roster to captivating audiences worldwide, John Cena’s WWE journey showcases his resilience, versatility, and sheer talent. His transformation not only won over the fans but also changed the mind of Vince McMahon, the biggest skeptic of them all. And in the process, a WWE legend was born.
Now, Vince McMahon doesn’t just see John Cena as another wrestler; he sees him as one of the greatest performers ever to grace the WWE ring. It’s a spectacular story of how a man, once doubted, turned his critics into his champions. And if you ask Vince McMahon today who the greatest of all time is in WWE, chances are, he’ll say John Cena.
