John Cena is known for being a legendary WWE Superstar and a successful actor, but arguably his greatest achievement is making kids’ dreams come true. The 17-time World champion boasts the record for the most Make-A-Wishes granted by anyone in history. It’s a side of Cena that might not be discussed as much as it should. With so much celebrity focus being on their latest red carpet appearance or the fancy cars they drive, this is something that deserves more attention and showcases the connection Cena has with fans around the world.
John Cena Set The Make-A-Wish Record At 650 In 2022
- He granted his first wish in 2002, and has continued ever since.
- The closest wrestler to him is Hulk Hogan, who granted more than 200 wishes throughout his life.
- He admitted to being ready to drop everything for a Make-A-Wish moment.
Cena has been working with the Make-A-Wish Foundation ever since he started gaining some notoriety, to the point where people would request to meet him. The charity aims to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses, and for many of them, that has meant meeting the WWE legend, showcasing just how much it means to people due to the work he’s put together throughout his time in professional wrestling. It’s also a great reason why he spent the bulk of his career as a babyface.
Cena has been happily meeting those who request him backstage at WWE events or elsewhere in a bid to give back and help them escape what they’re going through for the day. In 2022, he set the record for granting 650 individual wishes, which is an incredible accomplishment and is something he has only added to since then.
To put it into context, no other single celebrity has granted over 300. He even flew to one child’s house when he was working in Europe to sit and have birthday cake with them in their family home, proving he’s willing to go the extra mile, often during his own free time, to help others. It’s one of the reasons why he’s such a beloved figure among wrestling fans around the world, and a credit to who he is as a person outside the wrestling ring.
John Cena Reveals What Make-A-Wish Means To Him
- He’s previously admitted it’s “difficult” when he learns a child he met has passed away.
- He often provides signed merchandise for those he is meeting.
- He finds doing Make-A-Wish meets the “coolest thing”.
Lots of celebrities and athletes have charities that mean a lot to them for different reasons, and for Cena, that’s certainly the Make-A-Wish Foundation. His work with them has been fantastic, even bringing out a group of children to be part of his WrestleMania 39 entrance, creating a truly unique experience for them.
While his accomplishments with this charity have been well-documented, it’s something that Cena doesn’t actively promote. He just does the work and ensures that those in the moment, experiencing it with him, are enjoying it and gaining something from it, as he explained to Stephanie McMahon when she pointed out his history-making accomplishment on ESPN.
“Anytime it’s like, ‘Oh, Make-A-Wish wants you to do this,’ it’s like, ‘no problem.’ The cool thing about those moments is that it’s an absolute boomerang. Whatever you think you give to somebody, they give back to you, exponentially. I don’t need a thank you, because I was there. That’s enough.”
John Cena’s Babyface Turn Will Open Up Even More Opportunities
- Cena turned heel on Cody Rhodes at Elimination Chamber.
- He worked as a heel until SummerSlam, when he fully reverted to his old self.
- Cena will undoubtedly get more requests as a babyface.
One of the reasons fans have always wondered whether Cena would turn heel is genuinely due to his Make-A-Wish commitments, as turning heel isn’t necessarily something that aligns with his charitable work. Triple H was open about it on the WWE: Unreal series, in how he asked Cena before turning him heel to make sure it wouldn’t negatively impact his brand.
Fans even got a close look at Cena granting wishes prior to the 2025 Royal Rumble, showcasing the time he dedicates and the personal touches he adds to each individual based on their interactions. Now that he’s a babyface again, it’s likely that he will be just as popular as ever, and that’s something that won’t change even when he retires.
It’s clear to see how much this charity means to Cena, and it’s also evident how impactful it is to those he helps in those difficult moments. His record is an incredible feat, and one that only happens due to his personal dedication to the charity, which has also helped build his own personal brand.
