One of the most recognizable names in the wrestling industry, John Cena is way more than just your typical WWE star.
Even though Cena's known for his famous catchphrase, "you can't see me," it's impossible not to spot this legend when he makes a public appearance. While he's recently been in the news for his split with fellow wrestler, Nikki Bella, the fact his relationship fell apart is surprisingly the least interesting thing about him.
If you don't know anything about Cena outside of the wrestling world, you'll be surprised to learn these 10 facts about this fascinating man.
1. Cena has granted more than 500 wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation
Since Cena spends the majority of his time in the ring, it's amazing the wrestler has any free time for himself. But one thing Cena will always clear his schedule for is spending quality time with sick and dying children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
"I just drop everything," Cena said. "If I can offer a fantastic experience, I'll be first in line to do my part."
In 2015, WWE superstar was the first celebrity to grant 500 wishes, and the number keeps on growing. Cena granted his first wish in 2004, only two years after his wrestling career began. After his brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor as a child, Cena became inspired to help others to the best of his ability. So it was no surprised the wrestler immediately agreed to meet his young fans the first time he was asked.
Along with telling the children the important to "never give up," Cena often gives them tickets to WWE shows so they can temporarily forget their illness and enjoy time as a kid again.
"I want them to have an experience that will stay with them to forever," Cena said. "I don't ever want the children or their families to be treated in a way where they feel as if they're up against anything at all."
2. He soiled himself on live TV
Just because Cena is a celebrity, it doesn't mean he's immune to having humiliating moments.
When asked about his most embarrassing moment in the ring, the legendary wrestler recalled a 2008 incident where he soiled himself. Cena explained he was suffering from food poisoning that day, but was scheduled to wrestle Scott Steiner.
Just after the match, Cena realized he needed to puke, and a time-keeper told him to do so under the ring. But unbeknownst to him, he would also poop himself at the same time.
"I pooped myself once. I had to throw [my pants] away. It was in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, I had food poisoning and I still went out to wrestle. Everybody knew"”I was embarrassed," Cena admitted.
3. Cena has his own rap album
Along with being a wrestling superstar, Cena has also proven his talents as a rapper when he released his 2005 album, You Can't See Me with his hip hop artist cousin, Tha Trademarc.
The album was a success, and debuted at number 15 on the Billboard 200 charts, with more than 40,000 copies sold during the first week of its release. It would also become certified platinum five years later.
In an interview with Billboard's Ballin' Out podcast, Cena revealed he made an entire album after he decided to make his own opening theme song for his WWE entrances.
"At WWE, we have the opportunity to define your character as much as you want, so when I got the opportunity to rap on television, they gave me some stock music that was so bad," Cena said. It did not understand hip hop culture and I was like, 'well, I'm not any good, but I can do better than this."
He also said while there are incredible entertainers in the industry, they're not true hip hop artists if they don't write their own music.
"[It's] a big faux pas in hip hop to use ghost writers. I know that it happens and the bottom line is you want to make good music, but when you're going to fancy yourself as a hip hop artist, to have a ghost writer," Cena added.
Cena returned to the rap game in 2014 when he teamed up with Wiz Khalifa for two songs on the soundtrack of the WWE 2K15 video game.
4. He speaks Mandarin
A man of many talents, in 2016 Cena surprised a crowd when he gave a nearly three minute speech in Mandarin at a WWE press conference in China, discussing the company's upcoming expansion to the country.
WWE offers free language courses to all of their wrestlers, so it makes sense Cena would want to take advantage of this opportunity.
But Mandarin isn't the only language Cena knows. Along with English, he has studied French, German, and a bit of Hindi. Talk about a polyglot!
5. He has the most WrestleMania wins of all time
Cena made his WWE debut in 2002, where he developed a public persona as an "arrogant and edgy rapper." Two years later, Cena decided to change the direction of his character, and transition into a "goody-two shoes Superman."
So far, Cena has already won a staggering 16 world titles in his career. He also holds the most heavyweight titles at WrestleMania, with a total of four (21, 25, 26 and 29).
Having been in the industry since 1998, Cena has certainly become an unforgettable name in the wrestling industry. In 2017, Paul Heyman, a WWE commentator even praised him as having "the greatest WWE career in history."
"When he walks out, the place absolutely erupts, he still sells tickets, he's had the most phenomenal run, I believe, of any superstar in WWE history." Hymen said.
"No one has been able to keep that schedule, no one has matched his box office appeal, no one has sold more merchandise, no one has had the longevity, the box office attraction as the main, top level box office attraction than John Cena." he added.
6. He's not the only famous athlete in his family
Standing at 6'1 and weighing in at 250 pounds, it's unsurprising Cena isn't the only athlete in his family.
His grandfather was Tony Lupien, a former first baseman for the MLB, who played for the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox from 1940 to 1948.
Due to World War II, Lupien only played the sport professionally for six years, but ended his career on a high note with a batting average of .301 and 2006 hits (with 632 in the Majors).
7. Cena has a university education
Who knew Cena had both brains and brawn? Before he entered the wrestling world, he had attended Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. During his time at college, Cena was a NCAA Division III All-American center on the school's football team. He wore the number 54 on his jersey, which is still used on some of his WWE merchandise.
After Cena graduated in 1998 with a degree in exercise physiology, he decided to pursue a career in body building and work as a limo driver.
8. He was on the cover of a kid's breakfast cereal
In 2013, Cena temporarily joined the breakfast food industry when he replaced Fred Flintstone on four million cereal boxes.
The wrestler was first associated with Fruity Pebbles when Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson began calling him "Fruity Pebbles" in the ring, where he once said: "enjoy your fruity pebbles, you Yabba Dabba b---h."
However, Cena turned his lemons into lemonade, and teamed up with the Fruity Pebble's parent company, Post Foods, to be the face of the cereal in an effort to make the WWE more family-friendly.
"We're thrilled to be expanding our partnership with John Cena beyond the cereal box and connecting him with fans both on TV and at play," Sharon Pupel, Marketing Director at Post Foods, said. "...we want to make sure we continue to provide fans with fun and positive experiences, not only at the breakfast table, but throughout the day whenever and wherever they choose to play."
9. He's had several roles on the big screen
Along with being a wrestler and rapper, Cena has also ventured off into the acting industry.
While Cena might not be as popular as The Rock on the big screen, he's had his own fair share of success. He has starred in the feature films such as The Marine, 12 Rounds, Legendary, Trainwreck, Sisters and most recently, Blockers.
He's also made several guest appearances on shows such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, MADtv and Punk'd.
10. He collects muscle cars
Everyone has a hobby, and Cena's is collecting muscle cars. His vast assortment contains more than 20 vehicles, which are all vintage. While he can afford any flashy car of his choosing, he prefers to stick to classic models for their old fashioned designs.
"They always look at the car, and that's why I dig that era, the designs were so crazy," Cena said in an interview with Motor Trend. "I have an affection for the obscure, the crazy paint jobs, and the crazy body styling "” not necessarily the cars everyone else likes. Of course, when you think American and old, everybody goes for Corvettes, Mustangs, or Camaros,"
Cena added that while people may think he splurges on his cars just for the sake of showing off his lavish lifestyle, he genuinely enjoys the backstory behind them.
"I don't just buy them to buy them. I buy them because I enjoy them, and every car has a story," Cena said.
What do you think the most interesting fact about John Cena is? Let us know!
[H/T: ESPN, Muscle and Fitness, Useless Daily]