John Cena on Retiring from Wrestling, Getting Naked at the Oscars & His New Movie Jackpot! (YouTube Video Transcript)

(00:00:00) Your YouTube transcript will appear here (00:00:00) our first guest can boast success in two (00:00:04) competitive (00:00:05) vocations he's a 16-time world champion (00:00:09) professional wrestler and he's an (00:00:12) accomplished actor uh or I think when (00:00:15) those two things are uh mashed up (00:00:18) together he's a rator is he a rator he (00:00:21) might be a a velocir ractor yes um you (00:00:25) can see him now a co-star alongside the (00:00:29) wonderful Aquafina in the rambunctious (00:00:31) new comedy called jackpot which (00:00:35) premieres going be good uh and it (00:00:39) premieres globally this Thursday on (00:00:42) Prime video please welcome John Cena (00:00:58) [Applause] (00:01:11) lot of Firsts yeah yeah an evening of (00:01:14) Firsts although your second night uh if (00:01:17) you said substitute host shame on you (00:01:20) you are a special guest (00:01:24) host so second there but uh first time (00:01:28) we meet yes very first we've never met (00:01:30) we've never met and so I'm also the (00:01:32) first uh professional wrestler you've (00:01:34) ever had I think that's true who else (00:01:35) could I have met no no I've never met in (00:01:37) your travels I find that hard to believe (00:01:39) but I'm I'm glad to be your uh (00:01:41) introduction into the World of Sports (00:01:42) entertainment this is fantastic right (00:01:45) welcoming him into the bank Jeff welcome (00:01:49) well I must say I've never been in (00:01:51) proximity with you before but you (00:01:52) immediately inspired trust it's the (00:01:55) jacket well choice I was my I fell on (00:01:59) that immediately I had nobody warned me (00:02:01) look at that automnal Affair speaking of (00:02:04) The Fall season I love you in those (00:02:07) colors and nothing wrong with a peak (00:02:09) lapel look at you and you have a vest on (00:02:12) too it's a three-piece I'm trying I'm (00:02:14) trying I and I believe that a would you (00:02:17) call that a cobalt blue you know um you (00:02:21) might call it a cobalt blue what would I (00:02:24) would call this the outfit that my wife (00:02:25) chose for me to match her dress tonight (00:02:27) oh (00:02:31) Smart Choice hey you are absolutely (00:02:34) fantastic I want to talk to you about (00:02:35) many many things let's talk man let's (00:02:37) get into it let's get into it here's you (00:02:39) know this is my chat we're never going (00:02:41) to get through all that I want to well (00:02:43) depending on how I want to be py we (00:02:45) could spend days about this but I want (00:02:47) to maybe there's a way to discharge all (00:02:49) of this now first of all something (00:02:50) occurred to me you took something out it (00:02:52) my eye fell upon that I thought it was (00:02:54) it's a pocket watch yes that's (00:02:56) interesting it's (00:02:58) broken what do you mean it's it's broken (00:03:01) I mean it doesn't tell time I broke it a (00:03:02) long time ago but I keep it with me this (00:03:05) one tells (00:03:06) time this one tells perspective it tells (00:03:09) what perspective perspective yes I keep (00:03:11) it with me it's got Engravings on two (00:03:13) sides the back is something I used to (00:03:16) feel uncomfortable in rooms like this in (00:03:18) front of people imagine that my vcation (00:03:20) is speaking in front I did too I did too (00:03:22) early on I was exhilarated because I (00:03:24) thought this is SC the scariest thing (00:03:25) you could do and then hey I can do it (00:03:27) and then it's kind of exciting yeah I (00:03:28) used to think I was not enough I did not (00:03:30) value self so on the back of this watch (00:03:33) it simply says comparison is the thief (00:03:35) of Joy so I take this and every time I (00:03:37) feel uncomfortable or of low selfworth I (00:03:40) just give it a little reminder and it (00:03:41) reminds me that I am enough and I'm (00:03:43) worthy of love and on the other side it (00:03:45) says momento Mo for when my head gets (00:03:47) too big I need to remember that I'm (00:03:50) human and I am above no one and always (00:03:52) remember where I came from and remember (00:03:54) those that support me that I don't do it (00:03:55) alone so I have one side for when I (00:03:58) think my ego is too big and one side for (00:03:59) when I I don't feel enough and it's a (00:04:01) nice little keeper of perspective not (00:04:07) time and that's why I have (00:04:12) it thanks thanks how is everybody doing (00:04:19) tonight (00:04:20) the wait a minute the Rowdy can't just (00:04:23) bypassed there I've fallen deeply in (00:04:25) love with (00:04:26) you wow wow no I was was as I was (00:04:30) listening to you I got a little bit (00:04:32) choked up well you're fantastic wow man (00:04:36) now I'm choked up now neither of us know (00:04:38) what to say listen let's get to this I (00:04:41) was so I was going to say so I didn't (00:04:42) know that that was I'm glad I asked that (00:04:43) was a pocket watch with meaning that I (00:04:45) like the stories about everything um you (00:04:48) know what I thought it was for a second (00:04:50) the you know I used to a missile (00:04:52) launcher a time machine a time machine (00:04:54) which it really kind of is we've got a (00:04:56) wonderful Wormhole I don't know could be (00:04:59) anything what an imagin machine what an (00:05:01) imagination um no I thought because (00:05:04) thought it was none of (00:05:06) those no because we were talking about (00:05:08) wrestling already you know I'm from (00:05:09) Pittsburgh and when I was a kid do do (00:05:12) these names mean anything to you Bruno (00:05:14) San Martino hastak Calhoun boobo Brazil (00:05:18) Killer Kowalski I watched those guys on (00:05:20) black and white TV and you knew you know (00:05:23) you knew when a wrestling match with (00:05:24) those files right (00:05:27) there you know you know when you knew (00:05:30) bad guy was there I don't know if you (00:05:31) know this guy but this was early the (00:05:32) vocabulary early on when one of them (00:05:36) would I try to would see the referee and (00:05:38) wait till he was distracted and then go (00:05:40) into his high-waisted little underwear (00:05:42) there and take out a foreign object and (00:05:45) go k k King King into the other guy's (00:05:48) eye did what have you ever come across (00:05:51) something like that and what is that (00:05:53) what were they doing and tell me (00:05:55) everything about that so what I'm (00:05:56) hearing is (00:06:00) in your experience in watching wrestling (00:06:02) you noticed that in in times that were (00:06:05) advantageous to the bad guy yes they (00:06:07) would put their hands in their tights (00:06:09) and come out with a foreign object and (00:06:11) you've asked me if have I've ever (00:06:13) experienced something like that I have (00:06:16) many times especially in my youth I put (00:06:19) my hand on my pants and found a foreign (00:06:22) object wait a minute (00:06:25) a I'm just going to let that you guys (00:06:27) can figure that one out could be (00:06:29) anything could be anything could be the (00:06:30) weather machine rocket launcher it might (00:06:32) be a weather but whatever it was you (00:06:34) didn't thank you you didn't rub it in (00:06:36) the other guy's (00:06:38) [Applause] (00:06:41) eye (00:06:43) ah okay what you're really talking about (00:06:46) is they bring out like a set of brass (00:06:47) knuckles yes that is those are uh those (00:06:50) are those are things to tell stories and (00:06:52) I think what's great about WWE (00:06:54) especially is you watched in the 70s I (00:06:57) watched in the 80s I have younger (00:06:59) brothers who watch in the '90s I (00:07:01) rekindled my romance with wrestling in (00:07:03) the '90s and now I get to meet families (00:07:04) that have seen it like when I started in (00:07:06) the early 2000s 2010 to 20 and everyone (00:07:09) has a story and everyone says yo do you (00:07:12) remember these names and when I watched (00:07:14) they did this it's like um we've (00:07:17) developed a universal language through (00:07:18) physical storytelling where people can (00:07:21) share moments and bond with each other (00:07:23) and just you giving me four names and (00:07:25) being like man the bad guy used to get (00:07:26) the brass knuckles and beat the good guy (00:07:27) and I used to hate it we can Bond over (00:07:30) those moments and I love this about this (00:07:31) is why WWE I just love it so much it's a (00:07:34) universal language it's physical so it (00:07:36) travels the globe you know what that (00:07:38) means and it's also generational someone (00:07:40) who watched in the 70s can bond with (00:07:42) someone who watched in the 80s and (00:07:44) performs with it today and we speak the (00:07:46) same language because of what we saw (00:07:47) that's very very beautiful and you (00:07:49) remind me very very (00:07:51) beautiful and we are (00:07:53) bonding i' I'd like you to be my friend (00:07:56) and my life coach (00:07:58) both I would tell me this um hey just (00:08:02) just on one more subject on that thing (00:08:03) that occurs to me that I'm dying to ask (00:08:04) you about do you know these movies (00:08:05) because you like movies you're an actor (00:08:07) a wonderful actor but did you see those (00:08:09) movies one called ironclaw this last (00:08:12) year what do you think of that I enjoyed (00:08:14) that movie very much that was an (00:08:16) interesting story wasn't it so I think (00:08:18) movies about wrestling they're a tough (00:08:20) subject matter to tackle and I think (00:08:22) movies like The Wrestler movies like (00:08:23) ironclaw have have done a really good (00:08:26) job in telling the story of the (00:08:28) individuals it's such a (00:08:31) Larger than Life thing and there were so (00:08:34) many memorable names you gave me four (00:08:38) that were Marquee players in Pittsburgh (00:08:40) ironclaw is about four that were Marquee (00:08:42) players in Texas the wrestler is a story (00:08:45) about a marke player who has passed his (00:08:47) Prime and what he's trying to do in (00:08:49) collectively pick up the pieces of his (00:08:50) own life it's that rockar not being able (00:08:52) to step off the stage Story wrestling (00:08:55) Sports entertainment WWE is like a (00:08:57) treasure chest of stories so when I see (00:09:00) a movie done well like ironclaw or the (00:09:01) wrestler it gives me hope that more (00:09:04) stories can be told because there's so (00:09:05) many stories in our library (00:09:11) [Music] (00:09:13) I hey you just mentioned it so I'll ask (00:09:17) you what has come up in the last couple (00:09:18) of days you are going to step off the (00:09:21) wrestling stage you said finally it's (00:09:24) about time my goodness yeah well you're (00:09:26) younger than Springtime but and and (00:09:28) healthy as a horse but in at the end of (00:09:30) 2025 you said tell me is there anything (00:09:33) you can could you you know tell us about (00:09:36) that I don't mean to pry yeah so uh I'm (00:09:38) in a fortunate position where normally (00:09:40) in um WWE the retirement speech is (00:09:44) usually a part of the story where (00:09:46) they'll say I'm going to retire and then (00:09:47) they'll attack the person who comes out (00:09:49) to console them it is it's not a bit (00:09:52) it's not part of the ACT uh also (00:09:54) sometimes performers uh find themselves (00:09:56) physically injured or can no longer (00:09:58) physically capably perform I have my (00:10:00) health um I've treated myself well I'm (00:10:02) going to be 48 next year but I also (00:10:04) understand that it's a young man's game (00:10:06) the product is fantastic and they do (00:10:08) acrobatic stuff that I couldn't do in my (00:10:09) wildest dreams so after 22 years of (00:10:12) participation and my love for the WWE is (00:10:15) very strong I wanted to do a year we're (00:10:17) going to do about 40 dates and it's a (00:10:19) way for me to connect with audiences (00:10:21) around the world one last time so if if (00:10:23) you're a dad and you have a family and (00:10:25) like I used to be your guy or you used (00:10:27) to hate me you can you can bring your (00:10:29) and be like I used to scream at this guy (00:10:31) and tell him how much he sucks let's do (00:10:32) that so basically I'm 40 dates for you (00:10:35) to tell me I suck it's the last time (00:10:39) you and (00:10:41) uh and another thing um I I know (00:10:45) retirements and wrestling sometimes are (00:10:47) liquid they they happen and then they (00:10:49) reneg on that I am 100% done I December (00:10:54) 2025 is the last time I will perform in (00:10:57) a ring I will still be part of the WWE (00:10:59) family is Ambassador but the time has (00:11:01) come to close the physical performing (00:11:03) chapter of my life and I'm at peace with (00:11:04) it which is why 2025 is going to be (00:11:06) awesome it's going to be fun so I could (00:11:07) be sad but that's it I am retired it is (00:11:11) not retire for five years and then come (00:11:13) back for a one-off I'm never performing (00:11:15) again the Jorts the sneakers the ball (00:11:17) cap it's all done I'm just going to (00:11:20) dress like a used car salesman and move (00:11:22) forward absolutely amazing absolutely (00:11:26) amazing (00:11:30) of course that's what Frank Sinatra said (00:11:32) old blue eyes and now the end is (00:11:36) near and now I face the final curtain (00:11:40) the final curtain there we go H more (00:11:42) with John Cena after (00:11:51) this now what (00:11:55) [Music] (00:12:01) 10% (00:12:03) [Music] (00:12:05) what first five takedowns are free after (00:12:08) that it'll cost you 10% that's freey (00:12:10) number (00:12:14) two that's freie number three you are (00:12:16) really burning through (00:12:18) [Music] (00:12:19) them can only be so (00:12:21) generous with take Downs you can only be (00:12:23) so generous at some point they're going (00:12:26) to cost (00:12:27) you fantastic hey and you through the (00:12:30) ceiling at the beginning was that you (00:12:31) really I to think I broke through the (00:12:33) ceiling I don't know if that was a fall (00:12:34) that looked like yeah no fall no I (00:12:36) didn't mean that I take it back I'm (00:12:37) sorry my no but please don't I think (00:12:39) it's ridiculous why would I come through (00:12:40) the ceiling why don't I just burst (00:12:42) through the wall like the Kool-Aid guy (00:12:43) what if it was a strip mall how did I (00:12:44) get up on the roof what if it's a (00:12:46) skyscraper how did I get to the floor (00:12:47) above how did I know it was the floor (00:12:48) above it was pretty heroic But (00:12:50) ultimately (00:12:52) foolish was so good hey which is awesome (00:12:56) so awesome and you're with um Aquafina (00:12:58) who's coming on tomorrow night is there (00:13:00) anything I should ask her I she's (00:13:01) wonderful you should just enjoy her (00:13:03) presence she's awesome she's super funny (00:13:05) she's great to talk to you guys are (00:13:06) going to do fine she's awesome so I (00:13:08) don't have I I hope that's not our last (00:13:10) project and whenever we're with each (00:13:12) other we developed a great friendship on (00:13:14) set you're going to have a great (00:13:15) interview and I'm I'm I'm L I'm glad she (00:13:18) gets to come here and talk with you I (00:13:19) think she's G I am too I am too and uh (00:13:21) and Machine Gun Kelly yeah he's he's (00:13:24) your pal isn't he he is he actually (00:13:26) serated me to one of the biggest losses (00:13:27) in my career WrestleMania versus The (00:13:29) Rock in (00:13:30) Miami but oh yeah there's one guy who (00:13:33) didn't like that match either it's okay (00:13:34) it's I I finished second place it was (00:13:37) fantastic uh he serenad me out to the (00:13:40) ring and we met each other then and that (00:13:42) was he he was already a big star but it (00:13:45) was kind of the beginning of his rise to (00:13:46) where he is so to see him again on (00:13:48) jackpot and to see him play a character (00:13:50) that is himself and to see him be so (00:13:52) vulnerable and so open to Comedy he like (00:13:55) steals the show he's extremely good in (00:13:57) this movie it was awesome seeing him (00:13:59) again it was awesome to congratulate him (00:14:00) on all his success it was very good very (00:14:02) good and um hey you know it occurred to (00:14:04) me I also read people have said you are (00:14:06) the last great star of wrestling you're (00:14:08) one of the greatest stars ever of (00:14:10) wrestling your athleticism your work (00:14:13) ethic your microphone technique um you (00:14:15) are like the Babe Ruth of yes of (00:14:18) wrestling it's so unbelievable to meet (00:14:21) you this is man thank you you're welcome (00:14:24) it it's true but you (00:14:26) know I got to I got to be better I got (00:14:29) to be better (00:14:30) taking that thank you very much you're (00:14:32) so welcome I'm deeply honored hey now (00:14:35) are you here did you come here because (00:14:37) you wanted to avoid Jimmy in some way (00:14:39) because I do you hold a grudge in any (00:14:42) way or do you resent you know I know on (00:14:45) the Oscars the last time you were (00:14:46) together he possibly talked you into (00:14:48) doing something or are you mad mad about (00:14:51) that or what happened Jeff is so good to (00:14:54) see (00:14:56) you but I'm going to stay here until (00:14:58) they shut down I'm peeing all over this (00:14:59) man's (00:15:00) desk I get it I get it well this is to (00:15:04) what I was referring what do you think (00:15:06) of this does this mean anything to (00:15:12) you so I I would like to I would like to (00:15:16) title this painting an index card saved (00:15:18) my dignity but it did not uh yes that is (00:15:21) a bit that Jimmy Kimmel came up with in (00:15:23) the Oscars that involved costuming and (00:15:25) streaking and uh yeah I don't know if (00:15:28) you guys saw it but it was uh well (00:15:31) fantastic but the only costume to which (00:15:34) you refer the only costume you're (00:15:35) wearing are those birken stocks it was (00:15:37) uh one small step for man and one below (00:15:42) average step for me H whatever what (00:15:44) you're fantastic and look at this here (00:15:46) if you so this is the best (00:15:49) right this is the best So Not only was (00:15:52) it like hey you got to be out there (00:15:53) naked in front of everybody but then (00:15:55) it's like hey this is a PG show so we (00:15:57) can't show any of your butt crack so (00:15:59) we're going to put some giant pieces of (00:16:01) medical tape on your (00:16:04) butt this uh I think this was more (00:16:07) embarrassing I'd rather just I'd rather (00:16:09) have those those Christmas hams out (00:16:10) there than than all taped up like that I (00:16:13) check (00:16:15) I if I can keep this I'll and you put a (00:16:18) I'll cherish it for the rest of my life (00:16:20) that is yours oh thank you very much yes (00:16:23) um may I say something to you thank you (00:16:26) so much thank you no no thank you (00:16:33) so and you man it's awesome talking with (00:16:36) you thank you for being here shame on (00:16:38) you Jimmy Kimel I'll see you next time (00:16:40) but we still had a great time great (00:16:44) time jackpot is streaming globally on (00:16:47) Prime video this Thursday we're going to (00:16:48) be right back with Omar C (00:16:56) [Applause]