John Cena reveals why he started freestyling early in his career.
John Cena was a recent guest on Andrew Santino’s Whiskey Ginger podcast, where the WWE star and Hollywood actor talked about his love for rap music, and how freestyling saved him from getting fired early in his career.
“People didn’t know who I was. Things were good, but no one could attach to who I am… I was about to get fired because I wasn’t doing well,” he said, stating that he was preparing for a UK tour, which he thought would be his final.
He continued, “On the tour bus overseas, they travel us all together and some of the guys are freestyling in the back. So I went in the back and waited for my turn and joined in, and just did the best I could… and tried to unleash the fury.”
“In the front of the bus was Stephanie McMahon [daughter of WWE executive chairman Vince McMahon] and she was the head of the writing team,” he added. “She was like, ‘How did you remember all that?’ And I explained to her the concept of freestyling. And she was like, ‘Well, make something up about me right now.’”
Following his performance for McMahon, he was asked to use that in his routine if he was comfortable, and he started freestyling in Wwe, which he believed saved him from getting fired.
It is ironic that Cena revealed his admiration for lyrical expression was not always well-received, as he confessed to being frequently bullied during high school and college for his interest in this cultural aspect “I got bullied for listening to Hip Hop music growing up in West Newbury, MA,”
“It was all jeans and Rock N’ Roll,” he explained. “Like, hair bands and metal. And in the late ’80s, early ’90s, I loved Hip Hop.” “I would dress like Kid ‘N Play — House Party style with rayon polka dots, wingtip shoes, you name it,” he elaborated, before adding he’d also let his pants sag like “Jump” hitmakers Kris Kross. “I got harassed and beat up every day,” he concluded.
Check out his interview below.
