John Cena reflects on biggest piece of criticism he received in his WWE career and how it changed his approach

Major League Wrestling's Court Bauer's time in WWE overlapped with John Cena's start in the company. He talks to Fox News Digital about the pro wrestling legend.

John Cena’s in-ring career with WWE is coming to an end.

He’s considered to be one of the greatest pro wrestlers to embark on a career with the company and the dynasty that he helped create has seen him win 17 WWE titles, including the one he won at WrestleMania 41. Cena’s final match will take place on Saturday at Saturday Night’s Main Event against Gunther, who earned the right to take on the legendary superstar.

Cena reflected on his career in an interview with Tom Rinaldi, which aired Monday night. He was asked about a piece of criticism that stuck with him through his career.

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John Cena enters the ring during Survivor Series at Petco Park on Nov. 29, 2025 in San Diego, California. (Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images)

The Massachusetts native said it was a three-word chant from the audience in the middle of his career – "You can’t wrestle."

"The ‘You can’t wrestle’ chants because I would do the same five moves every night and win all the time," Cena said. "And what I hear from the audience is I’m seeing other performers do these fantastic things and then at the end of the night, I see you do five moves and win because I’m, in the throughline of the story, setting up a dynasty and if it ain’t your guy, dynasties are tough. So, I’ve learned that."

Cena said he didn’t bristle at the chants. Instead, it drove him to be better and to expand his move set.

"In hearing that line, I’d just be into doing more stuff. And it looked janky and ‘unorthodox’ but I listened and I went back to wrestling school halfway