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Topics: John Cena, WWE, WWE Smackdown, Wrestling
Joe Adams
John Cena is a legend of WWE, but he certainly didn't get into the industry for the money.
The 16-time world champion burst onto the scene with his SmackDown debut against Kurt Angle in 2002, having come through then-development promotion Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) with the likes of Brock Lesnar and Randy Orton.
He's now one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but rewind just over two decades and he was working his way up the ranks of WWE and struggling to make ends meet.
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He has since revealed that his first ever contract with the company in 2000 saw him earn just $12,000 a year.
"My first contract with WWE was $12,000 a year. I quit my job the day I was signed. I think my rent was $1,000 a month. So all my money is now rent,’ he recalled in a chat with Kevin Hart for his Hart to Heart series.
He admitted his mum Carol was more hesitant about his career, but his dad Jogn Cena Sr. was far more enthusiastic, having previous experience within WWE asa promoter and manager.
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"When I told my mom, she’s like, 'I hope you’re okay'. My dad, I could have told him any other position and he would have been like, 'Yeah, whatever,' but I told him I got a job with WWE," he continued.
"'Oh, my son. This is unreal. It’s going to great. I can’t believe it.' Still, to this day, he’s extremely proud."
Cena has gone on to become an icon of the sport, before following Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson into the world of Hollywood acting, having recently made Fast X, which did brilliantly at the box office.
In stark contrast to his early career, the 46-year-old is now reported to be the WWE's second-highest paid wrestler behind Brock Lesnar, who is paid a suspected £9.6million-a-year