John Cena (Wrestling Superstars) 1645190870, 9781645190875

Citation preview

Wrestling superstars perform high-flying attacks, suplex their opponents to the mat, and win championships with their signature moves. The Wrestling Superstars series looks at some fearsome wrestlers, their journeys to superstardom, and their in-ring personalities and skills.

WRESTLIN G SU P ERSTARS WRESTLING SUPERSTARS

WRESTLING SUPERSTARS

www.kscopebooks.com

JOHN CENA Gagne

ISBN: 978-1-64519-087-5

www.kscopebooks.com

ou t J o h n b a n r a e , L Matches g i B ’s a d Cen oves, an M e r u t Signa nships! Champio

9 781645 190875

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WRESTLING SUPERSTARS

By Tammy Gagne

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The Quest for Discovery Never Ends This edition first published in 2020 by Kaleidoscope Publishing, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of the publisher. For information regarding permission, write to Kaleidoscope Publishing, Inc. 6012 Blue Circle Drive Minnetonka, MN 55343 Library of Congress Control Number 2019940198 ISBN 978-1-64519-087-5 (library bound) 978-1-64494-225-3 (paperback) 978-1-64519-189-6 (ebook) Text copyright © 2020 by Kaleidoscope Publishing, Inc. All-Star Sports, Bigfoot Books, and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Kaleidoscope Publishing, Inc. Printed in the United States of America.

FIND ME IF YOU CAN! Bigfoot lurks within one of the images in this book. It’s up to you to find him!

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TABLE OF

CONTENTS Chapter 1: Time for an Attitude Adjustment................... 4 Chapter 2: Path to WWE.....................................................10 Chapter 3: Mad Skills..........................................................16 Chapter 4: Fifteen Years and Counting..........................22 Beyond the Book.......................................................... 28 Research Ninja.............................................................. 29 Further Resources........................................................ 30 Glossary......................................................................... 31 Index............................................................................... 32 Photo Credits................................................................. 32 About the Author.......................................................... 32

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CHAPTER 1

Time for an Attitude Adjustment It was February 2013. John Cena went up against CM Punk. The crowd was split between the two wrestlers. These rivals had faced off many times before. They had a long history. That might have made the match boring. But they surprised everyone. Fans still remember this match. They think it was one of the best in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) history. The stakes that day were high. The winner would face the Rock at WrestleMania. He would have a chance at the WWE Championship. The bell rang. Cena and Punk circled each other. Then they finally clashed. They fought hard. It seemed like neither would win. Cena threw Punk to the mat. He pinned him. But Punk escaped. Fans were on the edge of their seats.

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If John Cena defeated CM Punk, he would have the chance to add another title belt to his collection.

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CM Punk was one of John Cena’s biggest rivals.

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Punk turned the tables. He hit Cena with a piledriver. They both fell to the canvas. The crowd gasped. Punk pinned Cena. But Cena was only down for a count of two. Punk tried an elbow drop. He climbed the ropes. He jumped at Cena with his elbow out. Cena rolled out of the way. Punk landed on the mat. Both wrestlers got to their feet. Cena did a

hurricanrana. He jumped into the air. He hooked his legs around Punk’s neck. He flipped Punk onto the canvas.

FUN FAC

T

John C ena is k nown for his mottos , “Neve Give Up r ” and “Hustle , Loya Respec lty, t.”

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Cena wanted to finish Punk off. He used his Attitude Adjustment. This was one of his signature moves. He grabbed Punk by his legs. He lifted him onto his shoulders. Then he flipped Punk to the side. He slammed him to the mat. Cena pinned him for good. The crowd cheered. Even Cena looked a bit shocked. He won! He gained fans. He would go on to face the Rock at WrestleMania.

Cena beat the Rock at WrestleMania 29.

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THE ATTITUDE

ADJUSTMENT Legs flipped overhead

Opponent lifted onto shoulders facedown

Opponent slammed to mat

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CHAPTER 2

Path to WWE John grew up watching wrestling on TV. He watched it with his dad each week. People asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. He told them he wanted to be a world champion. He even had a paper championship belt. John’s favorite wrestler was Hulk Hogan. Hogan worked hard in the ring. He always did his best. Hogan never gave up. John admired him. He wanted to be just like his idol.

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Hulk Hogan was a six-time WWE Champion.

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Weight lifting is important for pro wrestlers.

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But twelve-year-old John wasn’t built like a pro wrestler. Some kids bullied him. They thought he was skinny and weak. They would even beat him up. John decided to get fit. He asked his parents for a weight lifting bench. He built up his muscles. He became the strongest kid at his high school. But he didn’t get back at his bullies. He was just happy he’d found a passion.

THE SMALL SIDE Cena played football in college. He played center. He was talented. But he wasn’t as big as the other centers. That’s why he didn’t pursue a football career. Today, it’s hard to imagine Cena being too small to do anything.

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Cena competed in weight lifting contests after college. He moved to California to become a pro bodybuilder. But he soon decided to become a pro wrestler instead. He joined Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW). He wrestled as a character called the Prototype. The Prototype was like a robot. He struck his opponents over and over. He seemed superhuman in the ring. In 2001, Cena entered Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). It was a training program. Many wrestlers at OVW would go on to wrestle with WWE. He won the OVW heavyweight title in 2002. Shortly after, he joined the WWE roster.

FUN FACT John Cena is one of five brothers.

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John Cena has come a long way from his days as the Prototype.

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CHAPTER 3

Mad Skills Cena is known for his Attitude Adjustment. But that’s just one of his signature moves. These moves helped him become famous. He’s used them against many wrestlers. He trains hard. He practices. He knows how to avoid injury. But the moves are still dangerous. Cena faced Chris Jericho in 2012. He used his running one-handed bulldog. He hurled Jericho against the ropes with one hand. Then he sprung forward. He grabbed the back of Jericho’s head. He pushed his face to the canvas.

PRO WRESTLING’S HERO Most pro wrestlers have stage names. But John Cena goes by his real name. He doesn’t pretend to be someone he isn’t. There are many wrestling villains. Cena is seen as a hero. Young fans admire this.

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Pro wrestlers train hard and learn how to do tricky moves.

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Cena also likes doing flying shoulder blocks. He used one against CM Punk in 2013. Cena pushed himself off the ropes. Then he rammed his shoulder straight into Punk. The move sent Punk to the mat.

The STF is a strong hold that even superstar wrestlers have struggled to escape.

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A year later, Cena faced Punk again. He used his Stepover Toehold Facelock (STF). Punk jumped from the ropes. But Cena caught his leg in midair. He twisted Punk’s leg to the side. Cena fell onto Punk. He held Punk’s leg between his own. Then he pinned Punk down. He put pressure on Punk’s leg. Punk struggled. It’s not easy to escape the STF. That’s why it’s one of Cena’s signature moves.

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Cena also has a flashier signature move. It’s a delayed fist drop. He wrestled Bray Wyatt in 2014. He sent Wyatt to the canvas. Wyatt was on his back. Cena hinted at what would come next. He raised his hand and spread his fingers apart. He waved his hand over Wyatt’s face. Wyatt didn’t react. Cena bounced off the ropes. But he stopped just over Wyatt. He pretended to brush dirt off his shoulder. Then he closed his fist. He fell onto Wyatt. He slammed his fist into Wyatt’s face. Cena’s known for more than just his moves, though. His personality helps him stand out. His fans see him as likable and hardworking. He has charisma. He’s known for his mic skills. Some wrestlers try to be funny. Others make a show of getting angry. Cena can do either. He did a promo with Sheamus in 2010. He used his sense of humor. Pale, redheaded Sheamus looked angry. But Cena joked around. He spoke into a cell phone. He said Sheamus looked like “a jar of mayonnaise with eyeballs and a ketchup haircut.” The crowd roared with laughter.

T C A F N U F ena

John C andarin M s k a e sp e. Chines

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One of Cena’s most entertaining moves is a delayed fist drop where he falls onto his opponent fist-first.

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CHAPTER 4

Fifteen Years and Counting Cena began wrestling with WWE in 2002. His rise to fame began on Halloween that same year. He went to a WWE costume party. He dressed up as a rap star. But he didn’t just dress the part. He also rapped on camera. It made a big impression. He started rapping before matches started. He’s good at freestyling. It’s become part of his wrestling identity.

FUN FACT John Cena and his cousin Tha Trademarc released a rap album called You Can’t See Me in 2005.

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Many people believe Cena will eventually get into the WWE Hall of Fame.

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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 2002 Cena enters WWE and fights his first match against Kurt Angle.

1999

1999 Cena begins wrestling with UPW as the Prototype.

2001

2001 Cena begins wrestling with OVW, a training organization for WWE.

2002 2004

2005 Cena wins his first WWE Championship. He will go on to win it fifteen more times.

2005 2006

2007 Cena wins his first WWE Tag Team Championship with partner Shawn Michaels. Cena will go on to win it three more times with partners Batista, the Miz, and David Otunga.

2016 Cena’s SummerSlam match with AJ Styles is named Match of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

2004 Cena wins his first United States Championship. He will go on to win it four more times.

2007

2006 Cena is named Wrestler of the Year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He’ll receive the honor again in 2007.

2008

2008 Cena wins Royal Rumble.

2013

2013 Cena wins Royal Rumble for a second time, becoming one of only six men to win Royal Rumble more than once.

2016

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Cena won his first WWE Championship in 2005. He beat JBL at WrestleMania 21. But fans talk more about another match. It took place later that year. Cena and JBL fought at Judgment Day. It was one of the fiercest matches in WWE history. Both wrestlers were covered in blood. But Cena stayed strong. He defeated JBL again. Since then, he’s racked up hundreds of wins. He’s won sixteen WWE Championships. He once won a match in just forty-six seconds.

Cena has won many WWE belts and honors.

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Cena continues his acting career with roles in movies like Bumblebee.

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Today, Cena does more than just wrestle. He’s been in commercials. He acts in movies. Fans worry that he will leave WWE. They think he wants an acting career. But Cena is loyal to wrestling. He wants his acting to bring more fans to pro wrestling. He’s a WWE superstar.

MAKING WISHES COME TRUE Cena volunteers for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of kids who are very sick. Some kids hope to meet Cena. He makes it happen. He has visited 580 Make-A‑Wish kids. That’s more than any other celebrity.

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BEYOND

THE BOOK After reading the book, it’s time to think about what you learned. Try the following exercises to jumpstart your ideas.

THINK DIFFERENT SOURCES. Consider what types of sources you could

find on John Cena’s WWE career. For example, what could you find in a wrestling magazine? What could you find in a newspaper article? Think of some other possible sources. How would each type of source be useful in its own way?

CREATE PRIMARY SOURCES. A primary source provides firsthand knowledge or information about a topic or event. Primary sources can include videos, interviews, or even your own firsthand experiences. Make a list of the primary sources you might be able to find about John Cena.

SHARE WHAT’S YOUR OPINION? The text states that John Cena’s fans see him as hardworking. Do you agree with this viewpoint? Use evidence from the text to support your opinion. Share your position and evidence with a friend. Does your friend find your argument convincing?

GROW REAL-LIFE RESEARCH. What kinds of real-world places could you visit to do more research about pro wrestling? What other topics could also be explored in these places?

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RESEARCH NINJA Visit www.ninjaresearcher.com/0875 to learn how to take your research skills and book report writing to the next level!

RESEARCH SEARCH LIKE A PRO Learn about how to use search engines to find useful websites.

TEXT DETECTIVE

Explore how to zero in on the information you need most.

DIGITAL LITERACY TOOLS

FACT OR FAKE?

Discover how you can tell a trusted website from an untrustworthy resource.

SHOW YOUR WORK Research responsibly— learn how to cite sources.

WRITE GET TO THE POINT Learn how to express your main ideas.

PLAN OF ATTACK

Learn p prewriting exercises and create an outline. DOWNLOADA

R EPOR T FOR MS

BLE

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Further Resources BOOKS Borth, Teddy. John Cena: Hustle, Loyalty, Respect. Abdo Publishing, 2018. Markegard, Blake. John Cena. Bellwether Media, 2015. Pantaleo, Steve, and Dean Miller. WWE: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know. DK, 2017. WEBSITES

Factsurfer.com gives you a safe, fun way to find more information. 1. Go to www.factsurfer.com. 2. Enter “John Cena” into the search box and click

.

3. Select your book cover to see a list of related websites.

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Glossary canvas: The canvas is the mat or the floor of a wrestling ring. Cena flipped his opponent onto the canvas. charisma: Someone with charisma is very charming and likable, and people are drawn to them. Cena’s charisma has earned him many fans. freestyling: Freestyling is making up a rap in the moment. Cena entertained the crowd with his freestyling before the wrestling match. hurricanrana: A hurricanrana is a move in which a wrestler hooks his or her legs around an opponent’s shoulders and pulls the opponent down. Cena sent CM Punk to the mat with a hurricanrana. piledriver: In a piledriver, a wrestler forces an opponent’s head to the mat. Cena lifted his opponent to perform a piledriver on him. rivals: People who compete against each other are rivals. CM Punk is one of Cena’s biggest rivals. signature: Something is signature if it sets a person apart from the crowd. One of Cena’s signature moves is the Attitude Adjustment.

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Index Attitude Adjustment, 8–9, 16

Make-A-Wish Foundation, 27

CM Punk, 4, 7–8, 18–19

Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), 14, 24

freestyling, 22 Hogan, Hulk, 10 hurricanrana, 7 Jericho, Chris, 16 Judgment Day, 25

piledriver, 7 pinned, 4, 7–8, 19 rivals, 4 Rock, the, 4, 8

Sheamus, 20 Stepover Toehold Facelock (STF), 19 Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW), 14, 24 weight lifting, 13–14 WrestleMania, 4, 8, 25 Wyatt, Bray, 20

PHOTO CREDITS The images in this book are reproduced through the courtesy of: Matt Roberts/Zuma Press/ Icon Sportswire, front cover (John Cena), pp. 6–7, 9; Valeriy Lebedev/Shutterstock Images, front cover (background); Rick Scuteri/AP Images, pp. 3, 4, 16, 25; Don Feria/WWE/AP Images, pp. 4–5, 7, 18–19, 24; Sam Aronov/Shutterstock Images, p. 8; Africa Studio/Shutterstock Images, p. 10; carrie-nelson/Shutterstock Images, pp. 10–11; WeStudio/Shutterstock Images, pp. 12–13; Mtsaride/Shutterstock Images, p. 13; Brandon Wade/WWE/AP Images, pp. 14–15, 30; Mavrixonline.com/Newscom, p. 17; John Palmer/MediaPunch/IPX/AP Images, p. 21; Phelan M. Ebenhack/WWE/AP Images, pp. 22–23; Red Line Editorial, p. 24 (timeline); Tinseltown/ Shutterstock Images, pp. 26–27; John Carucci/AP Images, p. 27.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tammy Gagne has written dozens of books for both adults and children. Her recent titles include Quarterbacks in the NFL’s Greatest Players series and Mustang Shelby GT350 in the Ultimate Supercars series. She lives in northern New England with her husband, son, and a menagerie of pets.

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