Rikishi gives John Cena a major tag; makes a special request to WWE regarding his retirement
WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi recently heaped praise on John Cena, acknowledging his impressive pro wrestling career. The Samoan veteran also issued a special request to the Stamford-based promotion regarding how they should handle The Cenation Leader's eventual retirement.
At the 2024 Money in the Bank, Cena came in front of the WWE Universe to announce that he would hang his boots next year. To celebrate his legendary career, the multi-time World Champion will embark on a year-long Farewell Tour spanning January to December 2025.
On his Off The Top podcast, Rikishi called John Cena a "workaholic," noting how he's honed his in-ring skills over the past two decades. The Samoan Stinker also revealed he had advised the 47-year-old superstar never to stop learning, regardless of his experience level.
"John [Cena] is a workaholic. I remember when I first met him I gave him [a piece of advice]. I said I'm going to give this one word, and it's called longevity, John. Just continue to do the work, do everything that's asked of you," said Rikishi. (From 44:22 - 44:36)
The real-life Bloodline member demanded that WWE plan a respectful and proper goodbye for The Cenation Leader. Rikishi added:
"I can't wait to see how they send John off (...) the right way to do it is send John off with the utmost respect, whatever ceremony that WWE can come up with." (From 47:45 - 48:02)
You can watch the entire episode below:
Rikishi comments on how he helped John Cena introduce his former WWE gimmick
When Cena started his career with the Stamford-based promotion, he introduced fans to a rapper gimmick. The character was popularly known as "The Doctor of Thuganomics," who would destroy his rivals on the microphone.
During the same conversation, Rikishi revealed he was so impressed by John Cena's rapping skills that he encouraged him to freestyle for the WWE crew on a bus ride. Thus helping him introduce his rapper persona.
"So, I brought him in the back... Oh, you guys got to hear John do this, blah blah blah. So, he was like a young rookie just starting, and I thought he was gonna freeze up. But, no man, he came in the back, and he just freestyled everybody. He's seen in the back, you know, I believe Macho Man was there, and then he just freestyled and called everybody's name, finish, I mean his flow was crazy," he said.
John Cena's farewell tour in 2025 promises epic matches, but it remains to be seen which superstars will rise to the challenge.