JOHN TALKS ‘GRIT,’ WWE RETURN
Pro wrestler and West Newbury native John Cena has stepped away from the WWE for a while to establish himself on the big screen — and now, he thinks the company has already started passing on his torch of stardom.
“I think it’s been passed without me,” Cena told WSVN-TV Entertainment while promoting the second season of “American Grit.” “There’s a lot of folks who are currently doing a lot of damage on the roster. The show is thriving in my absence.
“I think the company is moving on quite well,” he added. “I don’t know if there needs to be a formal anointment, but they’re really doing well without me.”
The Champ has been on a wrestling hiatus since April, when he proposed to his now-fiancee and fellow wrestler Nikki Bella. He’s not getting back into the ring until the “SmackDown Live” July 4 show in Phoenix — and his growing acting career has much to do with his WWE absence.
Without Cena, the WWE has been working with what they’ve got to create a new golden boy, pushing wrestlers like Shinsuke Nakamura. We’re not sure if the shifting spotlight has aroused a sense of jealousy in Cena, but the wrestler has voiced a recent desire to dive back into the lineup.
“I just want to get back in the fray,” he said. “I think it’s a wonderful time to be a fan, to be a member of our WWE Universe. The rosters on both sides, “SmackDown Live” and “Monday Night Raw,” is packed with very capable, unbelievable superstars and I’m just waiting to get back into the mix and try to prove my worth once again.”
Cena has won the WWE World Championship 16 times throughout his career. That said, when he does return to the ring, he’s not necessarily chasing another title.
“I truly don’t look at it like that. I just want to be able to be able to perform at an elite level,” Cena said. “I know that at 40 years old and 15 years in the WWE now it’s been a long journey, longer than most. I have to find my grit every day to keep working hard to keep up with all of these young, strong guys.
“It truly is a young man’s game but I feel really good. I look forward to July 4th and I think everybody will see that I haven’t lost a step yet.”