"I Just Wanted to Keep My Job" – John Cena Reveals Shocking WWE Struggles Before Becoming a Legend

John Cena is just days away from stepping into the ring for the last time on December 13 at Saturday Night’s Main Event, and as his farewell approaches, The GOAT has been more open than ever about his early struggles in WWE.

While promoting his final match against Gunther in Washington, D.C., Cena appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience, where he dropped one of the most honest revelations of his career — he was once fighting simply to avoid losing his job.

During the interview, Cena recalled how he nearly got fired before the Doctor of Thuganomics character came to life. He explained that he didn’t always fit into the system during his early main-roster years and often clashed with the norm.

"I never followed dress code. I was saying disrespectful sht about my peers. I kind of did it my own way. I was taking big swings because I was gonna fking get fired anyway. The alternative was lose my job — so I was like, ‘Fk it. I'm going down swinging.’ All the while, I just want to keep my f**king job."*

Cena revealed that many backstage stars felt he didn’t respect the business, but fan reactions began to grow louder every week — forcing management to give him “one more match,” which soon became many. That risk-taking attitude eventually led to the unforgettable freestyle persona that saved his career.

Interestingly, Cena also shared that Vince McMahon originally hated the Thuganomics gimmick, but later embraced it and allowed Cena to build it authentically without interference — a move Cena credits as crucial to his rise.

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🤝 Cena Talks About Vince McMahon Possibly Returning

The conversation also touched sensitive topics — including Cena’s apology to China and Vince McMahon’s ongoing controversies. When asked whether Vince could ever return to WWE, Cena didn’t deny the possibility but stayed neutral:

"Time heals everything. I believe in forgiveness. I believe in the body of work… I don't know, man. I don't know."

With Cena stepping into the ring for the final time this Saturday at Capital One Arena, fans are preparing to witness the end of an era — the last chapter of a man who once feared being fired but became one of the greatest to ever do it.