John Cena Opens Up About Presentation Change Since WWE Retirement

WWE

Since retiring in December of last year, John Cena has undergone a presentation change as a WWE name that he has recently explained.

At Saturday Night’s Main Event in December, John Cena saw out his retirement year with a loss to GUNTHER, marking the star’s final match as a WWE star.

Shortly thereafter, Cena would return in a new role that sees him as an ambassador, announcing the first-ever (and yet to be fully detailed) John Cena Classic.

Gone are the jorts, with Cena now being seen in WWE appearances wearing business attire, something he would comment upon in a recent appearance on the Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend podcast, looking at how comedians become successful through evolution as an example, saying:

“They have to continue to bring the personality that the audience identifies with, but in a new presentation and we in sports entertainment have to do the same thing.

“After twenty-three years of tenure there, and now this is my sports entertainer’s uniform. Because, I need to let the audience know,  don’t want to continue to confuse the audience into like “he’s going to do something physical” because I’m the first wrestler ever to retire.

“I’m not going back to falling down. I’m just not. It’s just not conducive to the goals I’ve set myself.”

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Looking at evolving his personality for his new role, Cena would state that it’s a process he’s still undergoing, explaining:

“Again, I’m kinda still doing that. I’m still curating the personality.

“It’s over when you walk away from it. As long as I’m still involved and WWE is my family, I’ll never leave until they throw me out, so I have to continue to evolve.

“In doing that, my first rule is “don’t confuse the consumer”. Show up in a different outfit so they know you’re not getting your hands dirty.

“Now, I’m far more of a promoter and a spokesperson.”

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When it comes to a possible in-ring return, John Cena has all but ruled it out, stating, “it would take an unfathomable amount of financial investment” to make that happen.

Dress For The Job

John Cena’s look in WWE was a well-established one, fitting the persona of the star perfectly. It’s difficult to imagine him in anything other than jorts, yet their absence defines the direction of the star post-retirement.

In the same way as it has done for Triple H, the star has reborn as a businessman thanks to his use of finely-tailored suits, separating himself from his more physical contemporaries when he does make an appearance in the WWE ring.

While there’s no doubt that, very much like Triple H, Cena could get physical should the moment call for it, he’s clearly comfortable in the role that he’s currently in, with no indication that he wants to get involved in anything more than what he’s offering now.

Using John Cena as an ambassador is clearly the right move, not just for the star but for WWE itself. Over the years, Cena has become one of the most media-savvy stars on the roster, with a polished tone and considerable knowledge on the subjects he is addressing.

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