John Cena Is Giving Everything He Has

THE WRESTLER-ACTOR, WHO’S BACK ON HBO MAX’S PEACEMAKER, REFLECTS ON LIFE, LOVE AND LETTING GO AS HE NEARS RETIREMENT FROM THE WWE RING

- COLLEEN KRATOFIL,SAMI DRASIN

When it comes to putting on a show, John Cena has always been fearless. He wrestles in front of tens of thousands of people. He walks right into crowds at San Diego Comic-Con dressed as his superhero alter ego Peacemaker so he can connect with fans directly. And he even appeared nearly naked onstage at the 2024 Oscars just to get a good laugh. But he admits one thing that scares him is being on-set for People’s cover shoot. “Gosh, these photo shoots are tough. Because the voice inside me is like, ‘I’m not cool enough, and someone’s telling me how to look cool.’ So I’m scared of that. I’m scared of this interview, because I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

It’s a vulnerable side that fans don’t always see onscreen as he’s pummeling his opponents in the ring or fighting villains as Peacemaker. “My job is to entertain folks,” says Cena, 48. But as he sits down with People on July 27, he cautiously pulls back the curtain to reveal the real John Cena, one who’s reflective about aging, passionate about helping others and ready to see where life takes him as he nears retirement from pro wrestling. “I try to just do the best that I can each day, because I’m not perfect,” he says. “But I try to just be as useful and grateful as I can.”