As WWE prepares to bid farewell to one of its greatest superstars, The Miz has pulled back the curtain on what truly separates John Cena from the rest of the locker room. With Cena’s final match against GUNTHER set for Saturday Night’s Main Event, wrestling’s elite are sharing their most valuable lessons learned from the 17-time world champion.
The Real Story Behind Cena’s Championship Formula
WWE recently released a special YouTube feature where top stars reflected on advice they received from Cena throughout his legendary career. Among all the testimonials, The Miz delivered perhaps the most revealing insight into what made Cena a main event icon.
The former WWE Champion didn’t just praise Cena’s dedication—he broke down the specific mentality that separates champions from everyone else on the roster.
Miz Breaks Down Cena’s “Different Level” Mentality
According to The Miz, Cena’s approach to professional wrestling operates on a plane most wrestlers never reach. The A-Lister explained how the Leader of Cenation taught him championship-caliber thinking without saying a word.
“When people say, ‘Oh he’s the first person here and he’s the last one to leave, and he works really hard’, and you hear everyone talk about that but there’s a different level to it, and John leads by example through that. That’s what I learned from him.”
The Miz emphasized that while many wrestlers claim to have strong work ethics, Cena operates in a completely different stratosphere of commitment and preparation.
The Championship Pressure Factor Nobody Sees
Beyond just putting in extra hours, The Miz revealed how Cena demonstrated the mental fortitude required to carry WWE as its top star. The former Money in the Bank winner highlighted a crucial aspect of championship-level performance that fans rarely consider.
“You want to be in the top spot? You want to be that guy? You have to work harder than everyone. Do the things no one else wants to do because everyone’s going to celebrate you when you’re the champion, they don’t ever see the grind, the grit, whatever it takes to be the champion.”
The Miz’s observations shed light on the invisible pressure that comes with being WWE’s face of the company—something Cena carried for over a decade.
From WWE Champion to Hollywood Success
The Awesome One also connected Cena’s WWE success to his achievements outside the squared circle. According to Miz, the same work ethic that made Cena a wrestling icon has translated directly into his Hollywood career.
“John taught me that just by living and being and doing what he needed to do to be the top person he possibly could be. There’s a reason he’s not only been top in WWE, but also in the movies. Anything he puts his mind to he can do.”
This cross-industry success validates the universal application of Cena’s championship mindset beyond professional wrestling.
Saturday Night’s Main Event: The Final Bell
As Cena prepares for his farewell match against GUNTHER in Washington D.C., The Miz’s revelations provide perfect context for understanding what made this era so special. The Ring General will face not just a 17-time world champion, but the embodiment of championship-level dedication.
With testimonials like these emerging from WWE’s locker room, it’s clear that Cena’s influence extends far beyond his in-ring accomplishments. As wrestling fans prepare to say goodbye to an icon, one question remains: which current WWE superstar will step up to embrace Cena’s “different level” mentality and carry the company into its next golden era?