John Cena is training for the most villainous chapter of his wrestling legacy ahead of WrestleMania 41. Outside the ring, the 16-time WWE world champion shared a far more vulnerable story rooted in a personal health scare full of regret and unexpected advocacy.
During the debut campaign for Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 70, the WWE icon revealed that years ago, he had a cancerous spot removed from his right pectoral muscle during the height of his career. The 16-time world champion admitted he once ignored skincare basics entirely, assuming he was invincible until Cena got a phone call for a return doctor's visit.
After a dermatologist had removed the first suspicious spot, another spot near his right shoulder had to be removed a year later. Cena called himself "stubborn" for brushing off skin health during his 20s and said he never imagined he’d one day be "grateful to be an advocate" for it.
Cena's talk with People to spread his initiative to take skin care seriously starkly contrasts the current persona he's portraying on WWE television. After announcing his retirement tour in January during the Netflix-era premiere of Monday Night Raw, the beloved Make-A-Wish hero entered WWE's Royal Rumble as a heavy fan favorite to win the event and attempt to overturn Ric Flair as the most decorated title holder.
Jey Uso eliminated Cena in a Rumble finish that nobody predicted, pushing Cena into a more frantic position to achieve his goals. This led to Cena's heel turn, where he entered and won the Elimination Chamber match in March, punching his ticket to a main event showdown with Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes.
Cena surprised the pro wrestling world by forming an alliance with The Rock and dropping Rhodes with a dirty low blow in front of a stunned Toronto crowd. He then initiated a vicious post-match assault, including battering Rhoades with his own title belt. The moment went viral online and even featured a guest slap from Travis Scott, with Cena's first full heel turn in over 20 years.
The WWE star has carried his end of promotional duties for the main event matchup with his microphone work, telling fans that he plans to win the title at WrestleMania and retire with it. Cena declared that he would become "the last real champion in WWE," forcing any other title holder to cope with the realization of never defeating him before retiring.
Fans have praised Cena's new direction online by calling his mic work some of the most compelling of his career since 2013. Cena was working the lead-up to a Summerslam WWE heavyweight title matchup against Daniel Bryan during that time, but he was defeated in his 11th title reign.
Rhodes will try to stop Cena's attempt to "ruin wrestling for every fan, for every wrestler, for everyone," by preventing him from winning a record 17th championship. Cena versus Rhodes is anticipated to headline night two of WrestleMania 41 for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Allegiant Stadium on April 20.
