John Felix Anthony Cena (born April 23, 1977 in West Newbury, Massachusetts), better known to his fans simply as John Cena, is a professional wrestler currently performing for World Wrestling Entertainment on the SmackDown! brand. He is also the brand's current WWE Champion.

Career

Cena attended Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he earned a degree in exercise physiology (Springfield College has nationally renowned health and physical fitness programs). At Springfield, Cena played varsity football; he was a team captain and earned All-American honors.

Formerly a hunter on the UPN television show, Manhunt, Cena wrestled in Ohio Valley Wrestling under the ring name Prototype. He made his debut with World Wrestling Entertainment in 2002. His first televised WWE match was against Kurt Angle on June 27, 2002. He was a typical face, which at first did not get much reaction from the fans, but he is currently being portrayed as a white rapper. This gimmick at first got him a lot of heel heat from the fans, but he was later being cheered by them due to the freestyle raps he makes on other wrestlers.

In 2004, Cena's popularity propelled him to a WrestleMania XX victory against The Big Show to win the WWE United States Championship, his first WWE title. Eventually he was stripped of the title by then-SmackDown! General Manager Kurt Angle. Cena later won the title back after winning a best-of-5 match series with Booker T. His second title reign was short-lived as he lost the title to newcomer Carlito Caribbean Cool in Cena's first televised match since regaining the title.

As part of a storyline, Cena was allegedly attacked in a Boston nightclub by Carlito's bodyguard, Jesus, which kept Cena from wrestling for about a month because of a kidney puncture. He returned to wrestling just in time for Survivor Series. When he returned, he exacted revenge on Carlito Caribbean Cool in a SmackDown! match and won the U.S. title back, but afterward was attacked in the ring by Jesus - who hit Cena in the kidney several times with Cena's own chain.

Cena's United States title reigns were notable for two reasons - his second title reign came after a best-of-5 series of matches, a series of matches similar to the one wrestled by Booker T and Chris Benoit for the same title in WCW. In addition, Cena wore a modified United States title belt during his third reign as champion - the new belt featured the same colors, but with the face plate fashioned as a turntable.

John Cena became involved in a feud with John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) after Cena won a No.1 contendership tournament to face JBL in SmackDown!'s main event at Wrestlemania 21 for the WWE Championship. This feud saw him lose his United States Championship to JBL's Chief-of-Staff Orlando Jordan. During this feud Cena established a name for his core of fans. Dubbing them the "Chain Gang", Cena often goes into the stands with actual fans as their "People's Champion" like Diamond Dallas Page before him.

He defeated JBL to win the WWE Championship on April 3, 2005 at WrestleMania 21 in Los Angeles, California. Soon after, he debuted his own custom WWE title (see image), just as Stone Cold Steve Austin did with his "Smoking Skull" belt.

SmackDown! is now featuring a series of matches, which will decide who Cena will face, in his first title defence, when SmackDown! goes to England, in the following weeks.

John Cena has been featured on 2005's Judgment Day promotional poster. This compliments rumours he will be facing John "Bradshaw" Layfield at the pay-per-view.

Outside of wrestling

Music/Movies

Cena has cut a series of rap music tracks. His third WWE entrance song, "Basic Thugonomics" was featured on the WWE soundtrack album WWE Originals. His track "Untouchables" was featured on Theme Addict, another WWE soundtrack album. His debut album You Can't See Me is scheduled for release in May 2005. The album features his current entrance theme "The Time is Now".

John Cena's first major film role will be in the 2005 film The Marine, to be produced by WWE Films. WWE used the "nightclub stabbing" as kayfabe for his absence from WWE television.

Fashion

Cena's ring attire in and out of the ring reflects the hip hop subculture that his character represents. He often wears throwback sports jerseys. During his time as heel, he would wear jerseys of a rival team of the city he was wrestling in. As a good guy, he would wear jerseys of one of the city's home teams. Cena has also made use of the retro WWF logo, but without the F, adopting it as his "Word Life" symbol. He has also worn a chain with a lock on it to the ring and would sometimes use the chain as a weapon, as would his opponents on some occasions.

Cena's apparel with the suggestive phrase "Ruck Fules" on it is censored on SmackDown! when he wears it on-camera.

Signature and finishing maneuvers

• F.U. (Similar to a "Death Valley Driver")
• Five-Knuckle Shuffle
• Throwback (flip over facebuster)
• Freestyle/Protoplex (Spin-Out Side Powerbomb, Cena's finisher while in OVW as The Prototype)

Trademark quotes

• "Word Life!"
• "You can't see me!"
• "The champ is here!"
• "You can't touch this!"
• "... If you want some — come get some!"
• "Chain Gang is in The House!"
• "Because this .. is what .. we do!"

Championships and accomplishments

• 1-Time WWE Champion
• 3-Time WWE United States Champion
• 1-Time OVW Champion
• 1-Time OVW Southern Tag Team Champion (w/ Rico Constantino)
• 1-Time UPW Champion