Add as a preferred source on Google John Cena, one of the biggest names in WWE history, has opened up again about the struggles he faced before becoming the face of the company.
During an appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay, Cena looked back on his move to Los Angeles, the side jobs he worked early in adulthood, and the period when he was still trying to find his footing in pro wrestling.
According to Cena, his first WWE contract paid just $12,500 a year, while his rent was $1,200 a month. In other words, housing alone cost more than what he was set to make annually from the company.
“I quit my job immediately to become a professional wrestler. My first contract was $12,500 a year, and my rent was $1,200 a month. I was already operating at a loss, but the good thing about credit cards is that they send you more opportunities to get more credit cards. So I would get more pieces of plastic that gave me free food to survive.”
John Cena says his first WWE contract paid him $12,500 a year, his rent was $1,200 a month
— katsu (@katsuxbt) June 13, 2026
"I quit my job immediately to become a professional wrestler, my first contract was $12,500 a year and my rent was $1,200 a month…"
"I was already operating at a loss, but the good… pic.twitter.com/FU1VopMxai
Cena had previously revealed that he went through a period of financial instability before making it in WWE, even sleeping in his car. However, he made a point of saying that situation was a personal choice, since he could have gone back to his parents’ house.
Things began to change on June 27, 2002, when Cena made his SmackDown debut by answering Kurt Angle’s open challenge. Although he lost the match, he drew attention backstage and started the run that turned him into one of the biggest stars in company history.
More than two decades later, Cena retired from the ring as a record 17-time world champion and remains connected to WWE in a new role after signing a five-year deal to serve as an ambassador for the company.