A John Cena

              A John Cena

       Really, now. Who ever saw John Cena coming? When he debuted on SmackDown in June 2002, he was just a beefy guy in purple trunks. Within a year of his introduction, he transformed into the battle-rapping, chain-wielding “Doctor of Thuganomics.” Now, he’s the biggest star in WWE — but he’s also the most polarizing.

               Fans love him or hate him. There’s no middle ground, and that’s the power of John Cena. Whatever you think of The Champ, there’s no denying his actions impact everything and everyone around him. Sure, he has his detractors, and they’re vocal, but Cena is still easily the most admired competitor in WWE, as evidenced by his nine million–plus Facebook followers. Cenation is strong. And its message is spreading. Whether competing in the squared circle, performing in front of the camera or donating time to charitable organizations like Make-A-Wish, The Champ is there.

               A product of West Newbury, Mass., Cena discovered sports and weightlifting in his teens. He attended Springfield College, where he earned a degree in exercise physiology and excelled as a Division III All-American offensive lineman. Although he grew up a huge fan of such Superstars as Hulk Hogan and Ultimate Warrior, Cena only seriously considered becoming one himself while working the counter at Gold’s Gym in Venice, Calif. There, a wrestler-in-training encouraged him to enroll in class to learn the ropes. From day one, he was hooked.

            A year later, Cena was signed by WWE to a developmental contract. What did he have that others didn’t? A physique that looked as though it were formed from Portland cement, mic skills that would shame a Roman senator, the tireless perseverance of Superman, and a devastating move that could turn even the most cast-iron grapplers into bags of mulch.

           Throughout the past decade, Cena has amassed many honors, most notably an amazing 15 World Titles. He’s no stranger to struggle — he lost to The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII, became the first Superstar to unsuccessfully cash in a Money in the Bank contract and was obliterated by Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2014 — but the man does not quit.

            Most recently, Cena challenged for the United States Championship against Rusev at WWE Fastlane, only to come up short after passing out in The Accolade. Rusev avoided Cena's challenge for a rematch at WrestleMania, until the Cenation leader locked him in an STF until Lana granted Cena the match. At WrestleMania 31, Cena overcame The Hero of the Russian Federation, nailing an Attitude Adjustment for the victory and his fourth United States Championship. Cena beat The Super Athlete again at Extreme Rules in a brutal Russian Chain Match. Most recently, The Champ made Rusev utter the words “I Quit,” as interrupted by The Ravishing Russian. 

            With the United States Title in his possession, Cena has been holding open challenges on Raw for any opponent brave enough to try to take the title from him. He's toppled Dean Ambrose, Stardust and Sami Zayn. His latest challenger has come in the form of NXT Champion Kevin Owens, a hard-nosed brawler who likes nothing more than a fistfight. Should The Champ be worried? Maybe. Will he back down? Never.