What is John Cena's Net Worth and Salary?
John Cena is an American professional wrestler, bodybuilder, rapper, and actor who has a net worth of $80 million. John Cena began his wrestling career in 1999 with Ultimate Pro Wrestling before signing with WWE in 2001. Cena quickly became one of the most popular and successful wrestlers in the company's history, winning numerous championships and headlining multiple WrestleMania events.
Known for his catchphrase "You Can't See Me" and his signature move, the Attitude Adjustment, Cena has won a total of 16 WWE Championships, five United States Championships, and four Tag Team Championships. He has also been named WWE's top merchandise seller numerous times.
In addition to his wrestling career, Cena has ventured into acting, starring in films like "The Marine," "12 Rounds," "Trainwreck," and the "Fast and Furious" franchise. He has also hosted television shows such as "American Grit" and "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?"
Throughout his career, Cena has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, most notably his work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where he has granted over 650 wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. He has also been a supporter of the U.S. military and has been recognized for his contributions to various charitable causes.
In July 2024, John announced he would retire from the WWE after WrestleMania 2025.
Early Life
John Felix Anthony Cena Jr. was born on April 23, 1977, in West Newbury, Massachusetts. Cena is one of five boys (Stephen, John, Dan, Matt, and Sean) of John and Carol Cena. He graduated from high school at the private prep boarding school Cushing Academy and enrolled at Springfield College in Massachusetts, where he was on the football team. He graduated from college in 1998 with a degree in exercise physiology. Cena pursued a career in bodybuilding and worked as a limo driver to make ends meet.
Career
In 1999, Cena enrolled in Rick Bassman's California-based Ultimate Pro-Wrestling (UPW) academy. He was the UPW Heavyweight Champion in April 2000. Cena made his WWF debut in October 2000 in a SmackDown match that he lost. The WWF gave Cena another chance at a SmackDown taping in January 2001; this time, Cena won and signed a developmental contract with the WWF. Cena was assigned to the Ohio Valley Wrestling division of the WWF. In 2001, Cena tried out for the main WWF roster four times. This continued into 2002. He became a fan favorite for his rapping and trash-talking. In 2004, Cena won the WWE Championship. Over the next ten years, Cena became the face of WWE. As of this writing, Cena has closed out WWE's franchise event, WrestleMania, a record five times. He is a 16-time world champion, five-time US champion, and four-time world tag team champion.
Cena has been called the greatest professional wrestler of all time by peers Kurt Angle and John "Bradshaw" Layfield, as well as by veteran industry personality Paul Heyman.
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Acting Career
John began pursuing an acting career almost immediately after signing with WWE. In 2000, he appeared in the film "Ready to Rumble." In 2006, John was paid $280,000 for his first starring role, in "The Marine," which grossed $30 million on a $15 million budget. He continued appearing in movies over the next decade. By 2018, he had grown into a box office star. Other notable films include 2015's "Trainwreck," 2017's "Daddy's Home 2," 2018's "Blockers," and 2019's "Playing with Fire." In 2020, he voiced the polar bear Yoshi in "Dolittle." He appeared in 2021's "Suicide Squad" as Christopher Smith/Peacemaker, who now has a spinoff series on HBO. Cena also played roles in "F9" and "Fast X" and 2023's "Barbie" with more projects in the works.
Personal Life
John was married to Elizabeth Huberdeau from 2009 to 2012. Later that same year, he began dating fellow WWE star Nikki Bella. He proposed to Nikki at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. Unfortunately, their relationship ended a year later, a month before their scheduled wedding. In 2019, he started dating Shay Shariatzadeh, and they married in October 2020.
Cena has said numerous times that he does not want to have children because he does not want to be an absentee parent while he is focused on his career and has undergone a vasectomy.
Cena has granted over 650 wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the most in Make-A-Wish history.
From late 2011 until WrestleMania XXVIII, Cena wore a black "Rise Above Hate" T-shirt promoting WWE's "Be a Star" anti-bullying campaign. In September and October 2012, Cena wore pink and black with the phrase "Rise Above Cancer" in partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In November 2016, Cena appeared in a public service announcement, "We Are America," sponsored by the Ad Council as part of its "Love Has No Labels" campaign. In June 2020, Cena donated $1 million to Black Lives Matter as part of the #MatchAMillion campaign made popular by K-pop band BTS.
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Real Estate
John lives in the private, gated community of Nature's Reserve in Land O' Lakes, Florida, roughly 20 miles north of Tampa. He paid $525,000 for the 3,704-square-foot home in January 2005. The house has undergone several renovations since he purchased it. Today, the mansion is worth approximately $4 million.
Cena also owns a home in the Mission Hills area of San Diego. The colonial-style house features an infinity-edge swimming pool, hot tub, a full outdoor kitchen area, and a fireplace inside a gazebo with cozy outdoor seating in the backyard.
Car Collection
John Cena collects rare and custom-made cars. He owns over 20, from a vintage Oldsmobile Cutlass Rallye 350 to a 2006 Rolls Royce Phantom. In 2017 John got into some legal trouble when the Ford Motor Company sued him for allegedly violating his purchase agreement by flipping a $500,000 2017 Ford GT supercar soon after having purchased it. But out of all the cars in his collection, his 1989 Jeep Wrangler might be his most meaningful. Over the years, John has told the story of his Jeep in several interviews. The car was his first big purchase after signing his first WWE contract. As he tells the story…
"I signed a contract for myself way, way back when for peanuts. But, I felt like I needed to showcase my accomplishment, and I did with this baby right here." It was… "the first car I ever paid cash for without some money from the parents… I bought it with 80,000 miles on it… Dollar for dollar, this one has given me far and away the most joy. And, this is one that I'll never get rid of."
