WWE legend and 17-time World Champion John Cena spoke with WrestleRant about various topics, including the recent booking of “The Ring General” GUNTHER.
Cena said, “His story is not done. I think he’s in that position right now where he’s making moves based on the equity of Gunther. And sometimes you don’t get a dance partner that’s equal or greater to you. Sometimes you don’t get a 25-year veteran like AJ Styles to make him retire. Or sometimes you don’t get to retire John Cena, sometimes you gotta lift up younger talent. Sometimes you gotta hold the show by yourself. I can’t tell you how many times I went out there when I was a part-timer and did a 15-minute monologue, and that’s it. That’s a tough spot, to go out in jean shorts and a t-shirt and give him a 15-minute speech and not any action. But I gladly did it because I viewed it as a challenge.”
On his message to younger talents:
“I guess I’m trying to use your time as a journalist to send a message to all the budding talent. Because I hear, not just in the press but hear from people genuinely, sometimes there’s overwhelming waves of frustration. That is natural, but as long as you get to go out and perform, you’ve got a chance. And I think that’s the most important thing. Some of my best promos have been those after-show press conferences. It doesn’t always have to be a main event spot. Man, [one of the] matches I’m most proud of are having a beer with the audience in WrestleMania and they get squashed by the Undertaker. Because I felt really good about orchestrating a storyline that could bring back the Dead Man as the Dead Man, you know? I hope that each performer reaches their potential. And man, that’s my hope. I guess that’s also the origin story for the opportunistic nature of the John Cena Classic. I just want to get folks out there to have an ability to do their thing the best they can do it.”
You can check out the complete podcast in the video below.
(H/T to 411Mania.com for transcribing the above quotes)
