John Cena Talks American Grit, Challenges He Faces In His WWE Career, His Thoughts On Being The Subject Of Internet Memes

WWE Superstar John Cena recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly while promoting his new FOX reality series American Grit, which premieres tonight. 

Cena talks about the inspiration behind the show and why it’s a unique concept, challenges he faces in his career, and more. 

John Cena talks about the inspiration behind American Grit: 

What inspired me about the show was its DNA, trying to get people together who say they never give up, and putting them in a scenario where their resolve will be tested. I was glad I had the best seat in the house that orchestrates all of this, but I loved the idea on paper. When someone explained it to me, I actually didn’t think logistically it could work as well as it did. I think people are going to watch this [and] love it. Not only from a challenge aspect — I think they’re going to be wowed by the landscapes and the excitement that the show brings, but I also want them to be inspired. I want them to watch the show at home and say, “You know what, if I work, I can do that,” and that’s pretty much the goal: to inspire people to never give up.

How does American Grit set itself apart from other physical competition shows? 

It’s not a “physical competition show.” We take these exercises derived from actual military training, and if you look at how the U.S. military functions, they are not just building physical specimens; they are building functional teams. Anyone who enlists in the military—man, woman—they come from all walks of life, and they don’t necessarily have the skillset of a bulletproof triathlete who can be an Olympic weightlifter at the same time [they] do crazy, death-defying stunts. As opposed to American Ninja Warrior, which is like, “Wow, I can’t believe how they do that,” I want [the audience] to root for [the contestants] because they know what they’re going through; they can feel how this would feel as they go under this physical and mental duress, and if they don’t like someone on the show, I want them to be able to yell at the television, “F that person. I can do this. I just need a chance.” And I want them to have that empowerment of [these goals] being aspirationally attainable.

Related: “American Grit” Premieres Tonight, Clip Included

Does Cena think he’s faced with any consistant challenges this far into his career? 

From the time you wake up from the time you go to bed, it’s a struggle. [It’s] more embracing new opportunities; producing this show, taking a hosting route rather than an in-the-action player, which is kind of what I’ve been for the WWE over the past 15 years. Even slightly before that, the roles in comedies aren’t really typical of my profession. It’s just being able to take that leap of faith into doing interesting things and new projects that normally wouldn’t be on the menu for someone like me. Being able to swing in and host the Todayshow when they call me, it certainly is a new experience that I have a lot of fun with, and it’s different than being in the middle of the ring in Monday Night Raw. I’m becoming less reserved about going for it if the opportunity presents itself.

What does Cena think of the popular ‘interruption’ memes he’s a subject of? 

I was only recently made aware of these things. I’m way late to the party! Trust me, if an interruptive internet meme is the worst … I’ve been called everything under the sun. If it’s not offensive, I don’t care. I think it’s great. The fact that my music, the fact that my actions in the ring in the WWE capacity can spur pop culture to want to create this thing that I couldn’t control if I wanted to, although some people may take it as like an insult, it’s very flattering to me. I’m very thankful.