As a promotional tool to further push World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE),

John Cena

Total Sports Asia and Ten Sports brought down one of its biggest stars John Cena to Mumbai recently. Sporting baggy denim shorts and a jersey, Cena is a straight, in your face person who makes no bones about who he is and what he stands for.

The star who's as famous for his 'You can't see me!' catchphrase as for his intensity in the ring, was in Mumbai on a two day promotional tour. The first day at the Crossroads mall in downtown Mumbai saw 1000 people including kids, mothers, college students and grandmothers straining to get a glimpse of the star. For Cena, this reaction was more than what he expected. Ashwin Pinto caught up with Cena for a quick chat.

How did you get involved with professional wrestling?
I have been a wrestling fan since I was a young boy. I finally got an opportunity to learn how to become a professional wrestler. I was with a smaller company and was working a small show in southern California. A WWE talent scout came around looking for fresh blood. It had always been a dream of mine to be in the WWE. So I gave it a shot. The rest is history.

How has the going been in WWE foy you?
It is a fun way to make a living. Some guys you get along with and some you don't.

In real life, would you say that you are like your 'in the ring' persona i.e. someone who comes from the street, or as someone who's humble in the

Cena regales the crowd at Crossroads!

face of success and is looking for a fair shot?
In real life I am what you see in the ring. If I get pissed off, you see my instantaneous reaction. When I come through the curtain, I am ready to go and fight. I was brought up in a certain way and those ideals are a part of my personality. I appreciate you saying that I am humble. I am basically me.

Four matches that stand out for you?
One would be the parking lot brawl with Eddie Guerrero. The fun is that you never know what to expect. A match like that does not happen too often. One of my first pay per view matches was against Brock Lesnar at BackLash. Another highlight was wrestling Big Show in New York at Wrestlemania XX. Then I wrestled John Bradshaw Layfield at Wrestlemania XX1.

Great going guys!

You have been both a baby face (good guy) and a heel (bad guy). What has been more fun?
The most fun is being able to compete. I have said this before. I don't care about whether my character is positive or negative. What I want is electricity in the air which gives me something to work with. It doesn't matter if they are cheering me or booing. If people do not like me because of who I am, then that is their problem. I am not going to differ from being myself. If people like me because of what I am doing I am okay with that.

Do you have reasonable creative control over the outcomes of matches?
Yes. However a lot of what happens is more real than you think. Not all of us get along. The guys that do not get along are those fighting on TV. A lot of real life antagonism is reflected in the ring. That is more than what fans would know. That is the reason why some of my matches are so physical as differences are settled in the ring.

Have you become more spontaneous in the ring with time?

Let me show you how it's done!

I have always been a fly by the seat of my pants type of character. I am a give and take person. I grab my opportunities when they come and if I make a mistake I pay for it.

You are as famous for finishing move as you are for your verbal banter. Do you write your own lines?
Always! That is something I take a lot of pride in. In the music industry there are a lot of people that get songs written for them. I take pride in my own words.

You came out with a rap album. Could you talk about it?
The album is called You Can't See Me. It pays tribute to the classic two man rhyming crews of the past. You almost never hear a rap crew today working like third bass. I wanted to bring that style back a little and get away from the one MC up there doing his thing. Working this let me and The Trademarc attack a song from different directions and create a more dynamic flow.

I remember five years ago there used to be an excess of soap opera storylines. Now it seems to me that the WWE is focussing more on the wrestling per se. Your take?
The focus is certainly more on wrestling now than ever before. But you will still get wrestling with entertainment. Moving to USA Network was the best thing for Raw. Viewership is on the up. The following is a lot stronger.

Got it???

What is a typical day in your life like?
It is very busy. There is a lot of travel. I am in a different town almost every night. I meet lots of people. Normally there is a wrestling match. I have very little time to myself. That is okay because I spend a lot of time with friends I care about like the children from CRY.

How do you unwind?
I really do not find the need to unwind. I am an energetic guy and if my body feels the need to shut down it does so. Otherwise I just enjoy life.

How would you describe your relationship with your fans? A lot of entertainers tend to take fans for granted once they achieve a certain level of success.
I am aware of that and that will never ever happen with me. I was a very intense fan not too long ago. So I know what it is like to be on the other side. I care a lot for them especially the ones that support me. So as long as they support me I will support them. I meet many fans time and time again in towns and cities I frequently visit whether at autograph signings or at matches.

Is there a way you can avoid getting injured in a match that has ladders,

...and the kids loved this big man with an even bigger heart!

steel chairs and other objects?
No there isn't. The only way to avoid getting injured is to keep kicking ass. If you beat the other guy up he cannot beat you up. In a match where there are no rules and no referee like a no disqualification match or a falls count anywhere setup you make a mistake you will pay for it. That is why these kinds of matches are so rare. When you see it, it is such a spectacle.

Finally you are coming out with a film. Are you looking to use the WWE as a platform to become a Hollywood action star?
No. I know that the Rock took that kind of approach. My plan though is to use Hollywood as a platform to push the WWE.