Pro wrestling veteran Bryan Danielson recently spoke with Z100 about the enduring impact of John Cena, the 17-time WWE World Champion, on his own career and outlook. Highlighting Cena’s legacy, Danielson praised the champion not only for his achievements in the ring but also for the positive effect Cena has had beyond wrestling.
John Cena’s Impact Beyond the Ring
Danielson expressed his deep respect for Cena, emphasizing how Cena’s charitable efforts stood out to him. He noted Cena’s quiet generosity, particularly with causes involving children, saying,
“I respect John a lot. One of the things that I love about John — and this story, I think, has been told a decent amount of times — but it’s the charity stuff that he’s done and never wanting acknowledgement for it.”
?Bryan Danielson, AEW Star
He added,
“The first person to really put that in my mental space, and he didn’t even say it to me, I just watched him do it, was John Cena. You look at all the stuff that he’s done for kids and everything, and he did all that. He did more Make-A-Wishes than anybody ever, and he didn’t want anybody to know.”
?Bryan Danielson, AEW Star
Guidance and Perspective from John Cena
Danielson also shared advice Cena gave him, which helped him approach his own career with patience and self-compassion. Discussing the challenges of becoming a main-event star, Danielson said,
“It’s him giving me a better perspective and more compassion for myself when I didn’t do my best when I main-evented my first pay-per-view in WWE, his perspective on that was, like, ‘Listen, it can take six months for people to even know who you are, right? Just from being on TV.”
?Bryan Danielson, AEW Star
He continued,
“The hardcore wrestling fans will know who you are pretty quick, but the casual viewers who just watch every other week, or whatever it is, it takes them six months to even know you exist, right? And then even longer for people to see you as a main-event player, you know?”
?Bryan Danielson, AEW Star
The Importance of Cena’s Legacy Today
John Cena’s influence continues to shape wrestling stars like Bryan Danielson, who appreciate the lessons on perseverance and humility Cena embodies. As Cena’s John Cena Wrestling Legacy endures, it offers guidance to both new and experienced wrestlers navigating fame, fan perception, and personal growth. Danielson’s reflections serve as a reminder of Cena’s broad impact inside and outside the squared circle, and how that legacy inspires the next generation of performers.
