The Unintentional Meme Journey of John Cena
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Origin of the Memes
- My Journey in Sports Entertainment
- The Evolution of My Character
- Discovering My Talent for Freestyle Rap
- Connecting with the WWE Audience
- Creating the John Cena Rap Identity
- The Impact of "You Can't See Me"
- The Internet and the Meme Phenomenon
- Looking Ahead: "Vacation Friends" and Future Memes
- Conclusion
Introduction
The internet has a way of turning ordinary moments into viral sensations, and in my case, I accidentally became a meme. Hi, I'm John Cena, a WWE superstar and part of the cast of "Vacation Friends" on Hulu. But above all else, I am an internet meme. In this article, I want to share with you the story of how I became a meme and the journey that led me to this point.
The Origin of the Memes
To understand the origin of these memes, I need to take you back to the beginning of my career in sports entertainment. It all started for me in 1989, during a time when rap music was becoming extremely popular. Even though I was from an area that didn't care much about rap culture, I was fascinated by its rebellious nature and the loud, brash approach it took. This led to me immersing myself in rap and hip hop culture, even though it made me an easy target for bullies.
My Journey in Sports Entertainment
As a way to defend myself and stand out from the crowd, I asked my father for a home gym. I began working out at a young age and never stopped. I followed WWF in the eighties and had a dream of becoming a part of the WWE. I started by doing small shows at flea markets and arenas, even if there were only a handful of people in the audience. It was a way for me to justify my nine-to-five existence and pursue my passion for sports entertainment.
The Evolution of My Character
One of the toughest things in entertainment is finding a way to captivate an audience. I had to create a unique personality for myself and invest in that character. My original character, The Prototype, was half man, half machine, and far from entertaining. But it caught the eye of a scout who sent me to Kentucky to be an understudy of a prominent performer. When I made it to WWE, they asked me to drop The Prototype, cut my hair, and become a good guy.
Discovering My Talent for Freestyle Rap
During one of our overseas tours, I joined in on a freestyle rap session on the back of the bus. The creative department noticed and asked if I wanted to incorporate it into my character. I embraced this opportunity to invest in my costuming, mannerisms, delivery, and personality. I may not have been the most technically proficient performer, but I loved the storytelling aspect and the make-believe world of WWE.
Connecting with the WWE Audience
As someone who had been bullied for embracing hip hop culture as a teenager, the irony is not lost on me that it was through my rap identity that I truly connected with a global WWE audience. The production of my theme music, "My Time is Now," was a defining moment. We recorded multiple songs, but it was the beat for "My Time is Now" that resonated with everyone. The catchphrase "You Can't See Me" became a way for me to talk smack in hip hop culture, asserting that others were not on my level.
Creating the John Cena Rap Identity
The beat and lyrics of "My Time is Now" inspired me to come up with a signature move during the song where I covered my face and did a head shake. This was initially a fun dare from my little brother, but it evolved into something that the WWE audience loved. The John Cena rap identity was a combination of embracing the rap battles, the make-believe world of wrestling, and paying homage to my brother's appreciation of the beat.
The Impact of "You Can't See Me"
Little did I know that the phrase "You Can't See Me" would become a catalyst for memes on the internet. People would either Photoshop me out of pictures or take pictures pointing at nothing, claiming that I had crashed their party. It became a running joke that I was invisible, and it never got old. The internet has a unique way of taking a simple idea and turning it into a phenomenon that transcends time.
The Internet and the Meme Phenomenon
The meme culture on the internet is something that I have embraced and enjoyed. While some may find it offensive, I see it as an opportunity for creativity and connection. Memes have become a form of expression and humor that allows people to relate to each other on a global scale. As a veteran of memes and the internet, I am far from finished. Even in my upcoming movie, "Vacation Friends," I have a feeling there will be memes inspired by my character, Ron.
Looking Ahead: "Vacation Friends" and Future Memes
As an artist, I understand that memes are inevitable. Some will make me laugh, and some might make me cry, but all of them will be enjoyed by the internet community. So I'll be keeping an eye on your Hulu accounts, checking if you're watching "Vacation Friends," because I know the memes will follow. The internet has a way of keeping things interesting, and I embrace it wholeheartedly.
Conclusion
Becoming a meme was never my intention, but it has been an incredible journey that I wouldn't change for anything. From my early beginnings in sports entertainment to the evolution of my character, it was the combination of my love for rap, storytelling, and embracing the unexpected that led to this phenomenon. The internet has a way of taking ideas and creating something extraordinary out of them. And as long as there are memes, I'll be here, enjoying the ride.
Highlights
- From an ordinary wrestler to a meme sensation: My accidental journey.
- Embracing rap culture and creating a unique persona in the world of sports entertainment.
- The power of freestyle rap: How it transformed my character and connected with the WWE audience.
- The birth of "You Can't See Me": The catchphrase that became a global phenomenon.
- The internet and the art of memes: How I unknowingly became invisible and inspired creativity.
- Looking ahead to "Vacation Friends": Anticipating future memes and embracing the internet's impact.
FAQ
Q: How did John Cena become a meme?
A: John Cena became a meme unintentionally when the internet started photoshopping him out of pictures or taking pictures pointing at nothing, creating the illusion that he was invisible.
Q: What was John Cena's rap identity?
A: John Cena's rap identity was created during a freestyle rap session on a bus. He incorporated rap battles, his love for storytelling, and a unique move where he covered his face and did a head shake.
Q: What is the meaning behind "You Can't See Me"?
A: "You Can't See Me" is a catchphrase in hip hop culture that represents talking smack and asserting that others are not on the same level. It became synonymous with John Cena and his persona in the WWE.
Q: How does John Cena feel about being a meme?
A: John Cena embraces being a meme and enjoys the creativity and humor that memes bring. He sees it as a form of expression and connection with the internet community.
Q: Can we expect more memes from John Cena in the future?
A: With his upcoming movie "Vacation Friends," John Cena anticipates that there will be new memes inspired by his character, Ron. He embraces the internet's ability to keep things interesting and enjoys the ride.
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