John Cena recently offered high praise to Javier Bernal, reflecting a significant moment for Bernal during his WWE career and highlighting how Cena saw value in his in-ring skills at a Performance Center event. This article explores John Cena praising Javier Bernal’s WWE performance, delving into Bernal’s journey, the impact of Cena’s feedback, and Bernal’s thoughts after parting ways with WWE.
WWE Departure Follows Four-Year Tenure for Javier Bernal
Javier Bernal spent four years competing in WWE, wrestling in over 50 televised matches and participating in several untold bouts behind the scenes at the Performance Center. He was released by the company in May, closing a chapter that included regular appearances on NXT Level Up, live NXT events, and sporadic showings on both RAW and SmackDown. His final bout as a WWE talent concluded with a loss to Channing Lorenzo at a live event on April 26.
John Cena’s Encouragement Made a Lasting Impression
During an interview on the podcast Developmentally Speaking, Bernal described a standout moment when John Cena complimented his efforts after a Performance Center Live match. Cena, celebrated as a 17-time World Champion and respected by his peers, not only gave Bernal feedback directly but also spoke to WWE management about Bernal’s display. According to Bernal:
“He told me, ‘Honestly, it’s obvious that you have the most experience of the whole show and that you really are good at what you do, and you delved into your character. You are able to connect your character with what you’re doing, and you had the best match of the night.’ And that meant the world to me. Later on, someone in the office mentioned to me, ‘Hey, John Cena’s still talking about you,'” Bernal said. [30:51 – 31:27] —Javier Bernal, Former WWE Star
This endorsement from Cena reinforced Bernal’s confidence in his abilities as a performer and echoed throughout WWE circles when relayed by office personnel afterward. The interaction signaled to Bernal the value top-tier veterans like Cena saw in his presentation and in-ring storytelling.
Frustration Accompanies Recognition for Bernal
Despite the significant recognition from Cena, Bernal recounted feelings of frustration, wishing that WWE’s decision-makers would have seen the same potential in him as one of the industry’s greatest did. Now looking back after his release from the company, Bernal expressed his internal conflict regarding what more he could have done to meet the expectations of WWE leadership:
“It’s moments like that where I think that’s awesome and made me feel great,” Bernal continued. “I’m like, ‘But, damn, if arguably the greatest of all time sees it and you guys don’t, I don’t know what more I can do.’ It’s one of those things that gets frustrating as a talent. Again, I’m not blaming anything. I get that there’s levels to everything, but it’s very frustrating.” [31:28 – 31:50] —Javier Bernal, Former WWE Star
These comments underscore the turbulent emotions Bernal experienced, navigating the intense landscape of professional wrestling where validation can come from respected veterans while still not securing a spot in the company‘s future plans.
Ongoing Influence and What Lies Ahead
Cena’s acknowledgment of Bernal’s skills not only affirmed Bernal’s dedication but also highlighted the sometimes-complex dynamics between talent recognition and career advancement within WWE. While Bernal’s future career moves remain undecided, his story resonates as an example of how powerful encouragement from industry icons like John Cena can be, providing both motivation for the individual and a moment for reflection within the broader wrestling community about what attributes are valued in emerging stars.
This episode, discussed on Developmentally Speaking and noted by Sportskeeda Wrestling, sheds light on the internal struggles faced by wrestlers aiming to reach the top, showcasing both the admiration from peers like Cena and the lasting challenges within the sports entertainment world.
