Josh Lawless
John Cena has explained his thought process when he announced the death of Osama bin Laden at a WWE live show.
Following a manhunt that lasted nearly a decade, terrorist Bin Laden was killed during an operation which took place in the early hours Pakistan on 2 May 2011.
The raid was carried out by the US Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL Team Six) and Central Intelligence Agency SAD/SOG, who tracked Bin Laden down at a compound he was residing in before he was shot and killed.
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Bin Laden's body was then buried in the Arabian Sea and president Barack Obama, who had ordered the operation, addressed the United States on a Sunday evening.
At the time it happened, WWE staged their Extreme Rules pay-per-view at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. Cena competed in the main event, claiming his eighth WWE championship with a victory in a triple-threat steel cage match over The Miz and John Morrison.
After his victory, Cena then addressed the live audience in attendance and confirmed Bin Laden's death as cheers erupted in the arena.
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"I walk out here every night with hustle, loyalty and respect on my sleeve," Cena said after grabbing the microphone.
"That is a credo I've adopted from the men and women who defend the freedom of this country.
"The President has just announced that we have caught and compromised - to a permanent end - Osama bin Laden."
After USA chants rang out and Cena said he was "damn proud" to be American, the leader of the Cenation then performed his signature salute at the top of the ramp.
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Footage was played on the next episode of Raw in Miami the following night and years later Cena reflected on the moment in an interview with Barstool Sports.
"That was a big piece of news and it just happened," the Hollywood star said.
"I was being fed the news live, and we were at a PPV in the D.C. area [sic]. We are talking this is a piece of news that shook the United States to its very core with the events of 9/11.
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"I thought it was something that people should know.
"Like, 'okay, I know this information now, I am in front of this audience. They should know this.' I just tried to think of a way to convey the message.
"To make it as digestible as possible and that’s what popped into my head.
"I wanted people not to find out when they got home. I thought that event and that moment in time was so impactful."
Cena has been responsible for some of the greatest and most memorable moments in WWE history and is targeting more before he hangs up his boots.
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The 47-year-old has confirmed he will retire from the ring in 2025, with his final run beginning on Netflix in January right up until December.
"He’s gonna do a full year-long tour with us," WWE EVP Chris Legentil stated.
"And that’s gonna be worldwide. We think that the opportunity for the people to see John Cena one last time all around the world is going to be quite powerful.”