During his final year with WWE, John Cena faced Logan Paul in a one-on-one match at WWE Clash in Paris. Reflecting on their preparations during an interview on The Rich Eisen Show, Cena revealed why he advised Paul to learn from Claudio Castagnoli, an AEW star known for his wrestling expertise, to improve his in-ring skills.
How Cena Connected Logan Paul’s Style to Claudio Castagnoli’s Wrestling
Cena noticed similarities between Logan Paul’s physicality and wrestling style and that of Claudio Castagnoli.
“I saw Logan and I’m like, ‘Man, you look and work like Cesaro,’”
Cena recalled. This prompted Cena to reach out directly to Castagnoli for guidance.
“So I called Claudio, and I’m like, ‘Hey, can I borrow some stuff, please?’ He’s like, ‘Are you kidding me? … No problem!’”
Cena explained how Castagnoli willingly shared tips that could help Paul sharpen his performance.
Incorporating Castagnoli’s Techniques into Logan Paul’s Wrestling Approach
Though Castagnoli was unable to be physically present for Cena’s farewell tour, his influence was felt through the advice given to Paul. Cena told Paul,
“Hey, watch this guy. These are the things I think you can do,”
encouraging him to study Castagnoli’s moves as a blueprint for growth. Cena highlighted the differences between the two wrestlers but emphasized that this guidance might help Paul develop his style more effectively.
John Cena’s Research and Adaptation to Working with Logan Paul
Cena described his usual process of meticulous study before matches.
“I do my research on guys,”
he said.
“Not only do I dive into their personality, I watch their past matches, I watch [what] they’re capable of.”
Because Paul’s matches were limited and often featured viral moments rather than traditional wrestling sequences, Cena had to adapt. He admitted,
“With Logan? You don’t have many matches to go on, and a lot of stuff that he was doing was like viral moments.”
As a result, Cena approached their match with improvisation, explaining,
“I just wing it. I’m one of the last of the improvisational performers, and I’m out now!”
The Significance of Cena’s Advice for Logan Paul’s Wrestling Career
Cena’s recommendation for Logan Paul to study Claudio Castagnoli reflects the importance of learning technical skills from experienced wrestlers, especially when entering a competitive wrestling environment like WWE. This mentorship approach demonstrates Cena’s commitment to helping new talent evolve, even in his final year on the roster. For Logan Paul, incorporating these lessons could prove crucial in establishing his credibility and skills in the wrestling world moving forward.
If quotes from this article are used, please credit The Rich Eisen Show and provide a hat tip to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
