John Cena recently revealed that one of his biggest milestone of his career was an accident in WWE.
WWE superstar John Cena holds the Guinness World Record for the most wishes granted through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but the beginning to this milestone started as an accident in the company. During a recent interview on ‘What’s Your Story with Stephania McMahon,’ the 17-time world champion revealed how a simple backstage mix-up changed his life forever.
McMahon asked why granting wishes was so important to him, to which Cena responded:
How did I become that? That’s because of WWE. Because of you guys. I don’t think without you I would have found that charity,” he said. “My first experience was an accident. I was dragged into a room to meet another Superstar and eventually did. Everybody’s under one roof backstage and here, ‘while you’re waiting for whomever, meet some of the other people.’ And I just shook hands with people and when I left, they’re like, that was a Make-A-Wish family, thanks for doing that. And I was like, what’s that?” Cena recalled. (40:45 – 41:18)
This accidental meetup introduced him to the concept of WWE’s partnership with Make-A-Wish, a relationship that has spanned over 40 years. Cena emphasised the unique environment the company provides for these special moments:
I don’t think that there is a better environment for Make-A-Wish or I think WWE is one of the top environments for Make-A-Wish because you can get intimate connection and then you get immediate suspension of disbelief. You get a true day off.” (41:31 – 41:47)
John Cena’s Record-Breaking Make-A-Wish Legacy
Cena has fulfilled 650 wishes through Make-A-Wish Foundation as of July 2022. His Journey began in 2004, and he became the first celebrity to grant 300 wishes in 2012, 400 wishes in 2014, and 500 wishes in 2015. He is also the most requested celebrity by Make-A-Wish recipients.
Cena’s commitment to the foundation is unwavering:
I just drop everything. If I can offer a fantastic experience, I’ll be first in line to do my part,” Cena stated when he reached his 500th wish milestone. (H/T Entrepreneur )
WWE made a significant $1 million commitment to Make-A-Wish during Cena’s 500th wish celebration in 2015.