Report – John Cena Men’s Health Magazine Cover & Interview

WWE star John Cena is on the cover of Men’s Health’s latest issue dated June 2016. Inside the issue is a feature article on Cena’s weightlifting techniques and principals, especially recovering from major shoulder surgery.

There is not much about WWE in the article. The main focus is about Cena trying to branch outside of WWE, while sticking to his core values inspired by his admiration for the military, which is what led to him hosting the “American Grit” Fox TV series. Cena said his motto is “show up early, show up clean-shaven, and outwork the other guy.”

Cena was asked to compare his attempt to branch-out beyond WWE to “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson. Cena said they’re barely in the same building.

“I’m not even close. That’s a testament to Dwayne. … He’s truly re-defined what it means to be a multi-skilled entertainer on so many platforms. I would love to one day be grouped in a conversation with Dwayne Johnson, but that day is not today.”

Rock recently co-hosted the MTV Movie Awards show and Cena is close behind hosting the ESPYs Awards show in July. Rock has also teased political ambition from time-to-time, but Cena says that’s not calling his name right now.

“I’ll say no,” he said. “But as we say in WWE, I’ll never say never.”

Men’s Health pegged Cena’s net worth as $35 million, which Cena said does not compare to his police officer brother, but he is driven by his brother’s service, as well as the general military.

“My brother is a 25-year cop,” Cena said. “Every day he takes his life into his own hands when he puts on the Kevlar. He’s not getting the same paycheck I am, but he loves what he does. He protects the streets every single day. That’s what I’m grateful for.”

Also in the feature article, Cena discusses his commitment to Nikki Bella despite not being ready for marriage and children, working with Make-a-Wish to help sick children, his car collection, Vince McMahon and his moms being his heroes, and other topics.

There is a certain mater-of-factness that borders on robotic to how Cena comes across in mainstream interviews at this stage of his career. The Men’s Health feature concluded with rapid-fire questions, including one about his favorite board game that captures his calculating nature.

“Chess,” Cena said of his favorite board game. “I’m a sucker for strategy. You’re trying to see things before they happen.”

[ FYI: The latest issue of Men’s Health is available at newsstands or digital download for $4.99 through the MH App. ]