Add as a preferred source on Google R-Truth has finally revealed the story behind one of the strangest bits from his long WWE run: the idea that John Cena was his childhood hero.
Appearing on The Undertaker’s Six Feet Under podcast, Truth said the original concept did not come from him, but from Vince McMahon. According to Truth, McMahon wrote the promo where he claimed he grew up watching Cena, despite being older than the “Cenation Leader” himself.
“That was Vince’s deal. Vince wrote that. The first time I did the promo and said I grew up watching Cena, people believed it. They bought into the idea that John Cena was my childhood hero.”
However, the more visual part of the gag involved Cena directly. Truth revealed that he reached out to Cena to ask if he could wear his famous jorts, but Cena took the idea even further.
According to Truth, the former WWE Champion suggested that he copy his moves, his ring mannerisms, and even his T-shirt. The “Ron Cena” shirt, featuring Truth’s face in the style of Cena’s classic merchandise, was also John’s idea.
The tribute eventually became an important part of their feud in 2025. At Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24 in Tampa, Florida, Truth came out dressed as Cena before facing him in a non-title match for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
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On that night, Cena defeated Truth after hitting a low blow and then an Attitude Adjustment. Even so, the “Ron Cena” character remained one of the most memorable parts of that final stretch of Cena’s career.