Independent Star Recalls John Cena Using His Signature Move

WWE

A 2026 TNA Hall of Fame inductee has recalled John Cena using his signature move, sharing his thoughts on the moment.

With John Cena adding a number of new moves to his arsenal in 2015, the now-17 time WWE world champion began to use the Code Red, a modified sunset flip powerbomb variation.

Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Amazing Red – who popularised the Code Red – commented on John Cena using his signature, noting:

“It’s John Cena’s move, ain’t no way I’m taking that from John Cena. I got to ask him for permission.”

Noting that his phone was blowing up with messages the first time Cena performed the manuever, Amazing Red continued:

“Again, man, no words. I have no idea. There were a lot of people doing it, I don’t know if it was (because) the move looks cool, or if they kind of took a liking to how I did it, or they just wanted to make it their own, which is all cool.

“But the amount of people -even Sting, Sting did a Code Red, isn’t that crazy? – But what wowed me the most was the John Cena thing because my phone was blowing up. ‘John Cena just did Code Red!’ I’m like, ‘That’s kind of cool.'”

Many wrestlers – including Will Ospreay and Kevin Owens – praise Amazing Red for his contributions and influence on wrestling, having touched ROH, TNA, All-Japan, NJPW, and numerous independent promotions.

The cousin of former WWE star Zelina Vega, Amazing Red wrestled a dark match against CM Punk in 2005, and later returned for a non-televised tryout match in 2012.

In the above interview, Amazing Red recalled preparing to compete in the 2016 WWE Cruiserweight Classic, and ultimately breaking his leg during a WWE video game mocap session before the tournament began.

While commenting on the possibility of signing with WWE, Amazing Red stated that he wants to sign a contract with a company like WWE, AEW or TNA, wanting wrestling to bless him back.

During Slammiversary, TNA Wrestling announced that Amazing Red will be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame at October’s Bound For Glory event.

The independent wrestling veteran was notably Zilla Fatu’s final opponent ahead of him joining WWE, with Zilla making his NXT debut on the August 11 episode.

Part of the Anoa’i/Fatu family, the full list of WWE stars who Zilla Fatu is related to can be found right here. 

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• wwe
• John Cena
• Amazing Red

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