John Cena Explains Why He Doesn’t Believe in ‘Passing the Torch’
Cena reflected on his mentors, WWE’s evolution, and helping the next generation succeed.
John Cena recently joined SiriusXM Fight Nation’s “Busted Open Radio,” where he reflected on his wrestling career, the mentors who shaped him, and how WWE has evolved during his more than two decades in the business.
Speaking with Dave LaGreca and Bully Ray, Cena shared stories from his early years, discussed learning from some of wrestling’s greatest performers, and offered his perspective on the current state of the industry.
Learning from the Best
Throughout the interview, Cena emphasized the importance of learning from the veterans who helped shape his career. He credited performers including Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, and many others for generously sharing their knowledge and experience.
“I was lucky enough to be able to ask them, ‘Hey, why did this happen?’ and get some great answers and insight,” Cena said.
He explained that his growth came from surrounding himself with people who were more experienced and knowledgeable, allowing him to continually improve his understanding of professional wrestling. Cena said he felt especially confident in his abilities around 2015 during his U.S. Open Challenge, when he regularly faced a wide variety of opponents and adapted his style to each match.
Reflecting on his own journey, Cena also expressed gratitude to those who welcomed him into WWE. He singled out Bully Ray for a memorable experience in Japan that helped him understand the company’s culture of sharing knowledge and supporting younger talent.
“And I never got to thank you for that. So thank you very much for dragging me out in the streets of Tokyo to have the beginning of what would be a wonderful ride on a lightning bolt,” Cena said.
On Legacy and the Next Generation
The conversation also turned to Roman Reigns, whom Cena praised as one of the greatest performers in WWE history. Reflecting on his own rise, Cena acknowledged that he wasn’t always viewed as a future star, but benefited from people who believed in his potential and gave him opportunities to succeed.
LaGreca also brought up WrestleMania 39, suggesting that Cena’s interaction with Cody Rhodes felt like a symbolic passing of the torch. Cena pushed back on that idea, explaining that he doesn’t believe anyone can formally hand over that responsibility. Instead, he said his goal is to give everything he has and create opportunities for the next generation to earn their own place.
How WWE Has Changed
Looking back on the industry, Cena praised the significant changes he has witnessed throughout his career. He pointed to improvements in scheduling, compensation, talent support, and the overall infrastructure available to WWE performers.
He was particularly complimentary of WWE’s NXT developmental system, describing it as a world-class training environment that provides elite facilities, coaching, and mentorship for aspiring superstars.
Cena also spoke about what he sees as a renaissance in professional wrestling, noting that performers have more opportunities than ever to build successful careers across the industry. He expressed optimism about wrestling’s future and praised the passion and drive of today’s emerging talent.
John Cena’s appearance on “Busted Open Radio” offered an insightful look back at his career while highlighting his optimism for the future of professional wrestling. Listen to the full interview on the SiriusXM app.
