John Cena turns 47! 5 major pro wrestling stars who share a birthday with the WWE icon
WWE legend John Cena was born on April 23, 1977. The 16-time world champion turns 47 today and he will aim to make it the most memorable year of his career.
Born in West Newbury, Massachusetts to Carol and John Cena Sr., he burst onto the sports entertainment scene in 2002. He has since gone on to have a Hall of Fame-worthy career in the Stamford-based promotion.
Cena racked up sixteen world championships, five United States Title reigns, two Royal Rumble wins, a Money In The Bank victory, and countless moments before heading to Hollywood. He has also found massive success in Tinseltown, carving out a niche as an action and comedy lead actor.
While Cena is inarguably the biggest name in the industry born on this day, he is in illustrious company, sharing it with some prominent figures in the industry. Here are five major pro wrestling stars who blow out their candles on the same day as WWE legend John Cena.
#5 Legendary WWE Tag Team Champion Tony Atlas is exactly 23 years older than John Cena
Tony Atlas is a WWE Hall of Famer, a former Tag Team Champion, and a retired bodybuilder. Together with Rocky Johnson as The Soul Patrol, Mr. USA made history as one-half of the first African-American Tag Team Champions in the company. Atlas also competed in other promotions across North America, winning over twenty titles and teaming with legends like Thunderbolt Patterson.
The legendary tag team performer may not have a WWE resume as extensive as John Cena's, but his importance in the company's history cannot be overlooked. Here's wishing Tony Atlas a happy 70th birthday.
#4 WWE NXT Superstar Dijak shares a birthday and home state with John Cena
If you were asked to name a famous WWE Superstar from Massachusetts born on the 23rd of April, you would be correct in naming John Cena. You would also be right in naming NXT star Dijak, who is exactly 10 years younger than the legend.
The 37-year-old has had a topsy-turvy time in the company, going from the developmental brand's black-and-gold era to Retribution and back to NXT.
The man formerly known as T-Bar has recovered tremendously from his stint with the ill-fated faction to become a crucial cog in Shawn Michaels' machine. However, he has yet to win any title on the developmental brand, not to mention the main roster. After all the excellent work he has done in the promotion, let's hope Dijak can add some gold to his resume before turning 38. Happy 37th birthday, Dijak!
#3 & #2 Former AEW Women's World Champions Jamie Hayter and Britt Baker
April 23 seems a great day to be born if you want to be a future world champion in a major pro wrestling promotion. Besides the 16-time WWE World Champion John Cena, this day welcomed two of the greatest AEW Women's World Champions into the world. Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter were born on Cena's 14th and 18th birthdays in 1991 and 1995, respectively.
It's a testament to The Cenation Leader's longevity that Baker and Hayter grew up to become top champions in a major company while he is still active. As he seemingly nears the end of his illustrious career, one can only hope that the duo can be as crucial to Tony Khan as Cena has been to Vince McMahon and Triple H. Maybe they'll also cross over to Hollywood!
For now, though, the wrestling fanbase unites to celebrate Jamie Hayter and Britt Baker on their respective 29th and 33rd birthdays.
#1 Reigning TNA World Champion Moose is seven years younger than John Cena
As WWE legend John Cena turns 47, reigning TNA World Champion Moose turns 40. The One Man Gang was born on April 23, 1984, growing up to become an NFL star before trading the field for the squared circle. He briefly tried out for the Stamford-based company and competed in Ring of Honor before making his name in TNA.
He has since become an IMPACT Grand Champion and three-time TNA World Champion (including his ongoing reign), arguably defining an era in his company like Cena did for WWE. While The Franchise Player began his career in the business and is winding it down in Hollywood, Moose is still on top in the industry after coming in from the gridiron.
The duo never met for what would undoubtedly have been a dream match, but on their shared special day, here's hoping they both celebrate to the fullest! Happy birthday, champs.