Maxxine Dupri, the reigning WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion, recently opened up about the invaluable guidance she received from acclaimed WWE veteran and 17-time World Champion John Cena. Discussing her journey and experiences in wrestling, Dupri highlighted how Cena’s advice is shaping her approach in the ring, underscoring the impact of mentorship in WWE.
Learning from John Cena in the Dungeon
During her conversation with The Wrestling Classic, Dupri described a memorable encounter with John Cena at a seminar held at the legendary Dungeon. She spoke about how the session, led by Cena, offered her practical and motivational insights on making the most of every moment in her career.
“Oh my gosh, I did actually because you know, as the two Intercontinental Champions. I saw the picture. I saw the picture. Have a little chitchat. You know, he was um extremely kind to me, and I also got to attend his seminar at Flat – no, sorry, at the Dungeon. He also went to Flatbacks for Bayley’s seminar, but I was there for the one at the dungeon, and I feel like I got such great advice from him about truly doing what we’ve seen Chelsea do. Make the most of every moment, no matter what happens. Take it and run with it. How can you be different? How can you be creative? How can you think outside the box? Um, and once you have the fundamentals, how do you grow from there? And that was a really cool conversation to have with the actual GOAT.”
– Maxxine Dupri, WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion
Dupri emphasized Cena’s focus on seizing opportunities, being creative, and striving to stand out among the roster. Following the footsteps of wrestlers like Chelsea, she now aims to utilize every opportunity to the fullest, continually pushing beyond basic skills to reach new professional heights.
Experiencing the WWE Divas’ Revival
Alongside learning from Cena, Maxxine Dupri reflected on what it means to share a locker room with notable members from the era of Total Divas. She praised both the kindness and work ethic of these women, acknowledging the challenges they faced while setting a strong example for future superstars.
“The Divas are up. Um, it’s amazing. I absolutely love being in the locker with locker room with them. It’s crazy because you watch people on TV, right? And sometimes you get nervous to like meet someone that you kind of idolize or that you look at as like a hero because you don’t know what you’re going to get. When I tell you, every single one of them is even better in person. The way that they are just the kindest, most hard-working, beautiful, talented women that have given so much to our business, especially during that time where they were basically working double right on the road and filming, and they’re still here giving back to us and guiding us and helping set up the next generation of superstars is unreal to me.”
– Maxxine Dupri, WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion
She highlighted how veteran performers continue to inspire and guide the next wave of WWE talent, underlining the lasting impact of their contributions during demanding times of travel and filming. Their ongoing support sets the tone for a new generation, helping elevate women’s professional wrestling within the organization.
The Enduring Influence of Mentors in WWE
Maxxine Dupri’s experiences with John Cena and the influential Divas demonstrate how mentorship plays a crucial role in the growth of current superstars. With Dupri’s commitment to embracing Cena’s advice and the guidance of seasoned cast members, the future of WWE’s Women’s division looks poised for innovative and dynamic developments. The impact of leaders like Cena and trailblazers from Total Divas ensures that fresh talent can thrive and redefine what it means to succeed in WWE today.
