25 Things You Didn't Know About John Cena

23. John Lived In His Car (And Thought It Was “Dope”)

John Cena WWE Title 2025
WWE.com

Here's another revelation that came from John's chat with Stephanie on ESPN.

As aforementioned, the bright eyed young man didn't have a lot of cash to play with when he moved to California to try make something of himself in the fitness industry. So, Cena lived in his car, and he didn’t see it as a bad thing or a “woe is me” story. In fact, he described that whole experience as "dope". It was a real learning curve as John figured out how to survive without a proper roof over his head.

He bagged a job at a local Gold’s Gym. They let him park outside the place, so he’d sleep in his car then use the gym showers and clock in to work every day. Once the gym closed to the public, he’d workout himself then retreat to his car. Presumably after stunning that local restaurant by stuffing endless amounts of pizza down his throat so he'd get it for free.

McMahon couldn't relate to John's story. She'd grown up wanting for nothing due to her family's success, but things were different for Cena. He wasn't complaining though. His car was a 1991 Lincoln Continental, and it kept him sheltered until he could afford somewhere decent to live.

That period of his life taught Cena never to take anything for granted. He's been thankful ever since, and it's all because he had to shield himself from the rain inside that trusty Lincoln. Someone needs to find out whether or not John still owns that car. It's a piece of history.

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.