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By Andrew Ravens
Contributing Sports Writer
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Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena, currently on a dominant heel run during his 2025 retirement tour, recently gave WWE fans a delightful and unexpected throwback at CCXP Mexico. The 17-time World Champion embraced Mexican culture by briefly bringing back his iconic and humorous masked alter ego, "Juan Cena."
The memorable moment occurred when, during a panel conversation, the host presented Cena with a Lucha Libre mask and playfully asked if he would bring back the character. Initially, Cena laughed and expressed playful uncertainty.
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"Ah yes, Lucha Libre! Yes — thank you so much for the gift. But I don't think the fans would want me to wear the mask," he teased. After some good-natured interaction with the enthusiastic crowd, Cena eventually donned the mask.
Once masked, Cena hyped up the audience before exclaiming how it made him feel. "OOOOOH! How did that feel? I felt like another person. I felt like my secret identity. Yeah — you couldn't see me!" he joked, referencing his famous catchphrase with a new twist.
Cena then smiled and directly addressed the crowd's recognition of the gimmick: "Some of these people remember — there was a WWE character, a masked wrestler called Juan Cena."
The "Juan Cena" persona originated during Cena's feud with The Nexus back in late 2010. After being "fired" (storyline) by Nexus leader Wade Barrett, Cena "disappeared" from WWE television for a short period.
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He then made a surprising return at non-televised WWE live events wearing a distinctive purple and yellow mask, comically marketed as John Cena's Mexican cousin, "Juan Cena."This masked character never had a full run on WWE television and was primarily an attraction at house shows.
One of his most notable involvements as Juan Cena interfered in a three-way WWE Championship match featuring then-champion The Miz and Wade Barrett, ensuring Barrett did not win the title. Though the gimmick was short-lived and quickly dropped as the Nexus storyline progressed, "Juan Cena" became a beloved cult-favorite among WWE fans for its sheer absurdity and Cena's commitment to the temporary role.
The CCXP Mexico appearance served as a fun, nostalgic nod to this unique piece of his storied career, offering a lighthearted moment amidst his current serious heel championship reign.
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For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
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