After wrestlers like Hulk Hogan gained fame in the ’80s, Dwayne Johnson emerged as the biggest movie star globally. Following in The Rock’s footsteps, John Cena transitioned to Hollywood, captivating fans with his personal life and wealth.
Cena’s movie star status was evident when he made an appearance at the 2024 Oscars, flaunting his impressively muscular physique. Despite actors like Chris Pratt bulking up for movie roles, Cena’s physique left many in awe. Given Cena’s background in wrestling, some have raised questions about whether he used steroids.
John Cena Addressed Steroid Rumors
In February 2024, John Cena made an appearance on The Howard Stern Show where he openly discussed his pursuit of Hollywood fame. During the conversation, Stern raised the topic of steroid use among wrestlers, noting Cena’s consistent denial of using steroids in the past.
“If you hit the gas pedal too early, you can get a lot of bad stuff happen long term.”
When asked directly by Stern about his stance on steroid use, Cena reiterated that he has never used steroids and emphasized the potential long-term risks associated with such substances. When questioned about the possibility of how much bigger he could have been with steroid use, Cena deflected the query and instead emphasized his commitment to natural training methods.
“Hell, I’ve been 225 pounds since I was 17 years old. So, I always filled out my frame okay. I started lifting at thirteen. And, I guess that’s why I’ve never needed it.”
Cena explained that he has maintained a substantial physique since a young age and has never felt the need for steroids to enhance his appearance or performance. He highlighted his long-standing dedication to weightlifting, which began in his teenage years, as a factor contributing to his physique.
“This is a crazy question and it’s something that’s tough to answer just because of the way society is now. The way people conceive things, because performance-enhancing drugs have got the spotlight and it’s a hot thing to talk about. I can’t tell you that I haven’t, but you’ll never be able to prove that I have.”
Years prior to his interview with Stern, Cena was asked about steroid use during an interview with CNN in 2007. While his response then left some viewers with the impression that he may have used steroids in the past, Cena’s stance remained firm on The Howard Stern Show, reiterating his denial of ever using performance-enhancing drugs.
John Cena Once Violated The Rock’s Trust
From 2008 to 2009, John Cena criticized The Rock for leaving WWE for Hollywood while he continued to actively compete. However, Cena later acknowledged his mistake and saw the error in his ways.
Their rivalry in 2012 was fueled by real animosity, and during a segment on the February 27th episode of Monday Night RAW, Cena took a swipe at The Rock, suggesting he had lines written on his wrist. According to ex-WWE writer Brian Gewirtz, Cena’s call-out breached trust and created a “disconnect” between the two wrestling icons.
“Rock doing his thing with me going out to interrupt him. And 90 seconds before my music hit, someone to not be named said, ‘yo, do you see that?’ I said, ‘see what?’ [the other person said] ‘I think Rock has something written on his wrist. Everyone was like, ‘yooo!’ because that’s just not allowed.”
Despite their intense on-screen rivalry, John Cena recognizes The Rock’s influence and inspiration in his career, fostering mutual respect between the two legends. Their impact on WWE and beyond is significant.
