From Teaming With Travis Scott to Rapping in Mandarin: John Cena’s 6 Best Hip-Hop Moments

John Cena entered the WWE ring with Travis Scott and The Rock on Saturday (March 1), appearing at the end of the Elimination Chamber premium live event in Toronto. The viral event, which included the Cactus Jack rapper delivering a hard slap to WWE undisputed champion Cody Rhodes, dominated the internet. The match-up was also attended by Drake and Lil Yachty, and added yet another notch to Cena’s hip-hop belt.

The showdown served as a reminder of Cena’s surprisingly deep ties to hip-hop. Cena became a rapper in the early 2000s as part of his persona in the wrestling world: Known for his “Never Give Up” catchphrase and heavy lock and chain necklace, Cena embraced hip-hop culture in numerous ways, dropping motivational freestyle raps and even a Billboard 200-charting album. He garnered notable co-signs from some of rap’s biggest stars, and even linked with a few to make some actual music. Cena’s foray into the genre was short-lived, and he’s since pivoted away from his rap persona into acting and other ventures. Still, Saturday’s match-up was a reminder that Cena and hip-hop culture can easily co-exist when the time is right.

Over the years, he’s talked extensively about his deep love of rap, telling Club Shay Shay last year that the music found him at the perfect time.

“I was one of five boys, and I had a lot of angst with how the household was being run,” he said. “I was a rebel. That music found me at the right time. So, even though a song like ‘F—k tha Police’ might have been an anthem for the state of the social well-being in South Central Los Angeles — to a 13-year-old kid, the police are my parents, and it was me who was like, ‘Well, f—k that.’”

Here is a look back at some of John Cena’s biggest moments in rap, which include his notable attendance of the VH1 Hip-Hop Awards, that time he rapped on a 9th Wonder beat alongside Murs, and of course when he freestyle in Mandarin.