August 12, 2024 - John Cena as "Chain Gang" "Doctor of Thuganomics" before his match against the late Eddie Guerrero on August 28, 2003 in WWE SmackDown, Image Credits:- WWE Vault on YouTube

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‘I Believe We Should Never Be the Person You Were Yesterday’ – John Cena Confirms Not Visiting His Old Personas During His WWE Farewell Tour

Get To Know What John Cena Has Said About Not Visiting His Early Personas During His WWE Farewell Tour.

August 12, 2024 - John Cena as "Chain Gang" "Doctor of Thuganomics" before his match against the late Eddie Guerrero on August 28, 2003 in WWE SmackDown, Image Credits:- WWE Vault on YouTube

John Cena is reaching the end of his professional wrestling career in the WWE. However he has changed from what people would expect from him. There is only the hustle in him, but no longer loyalty and respect. John Cena, in other words, has become a heel in the WWE.

John Cena presently holds the Undisputed WWE Championship, which he won at WrestleMania 41. He successfully broke Ric Flair’s record by becoming a 17-time World Champion. John Cena was mostly known as “The Cenation Leader” in the WWE. However, he had another persona earlier in his career which he had refused to revisit as part of his WWE Farewell Tour. Let’s have a look at which persona John Cena mentioned and why he does not want to bring it back.

John Cena Does Not Want To Revisit the “Chain Gang” Era as Part of His Farewell Tour

John Cena was recently questioned about whether he wanted to bring back some of his old gimmicks in his farewell tour. He was specifically asked about his “Chain Gang” Era. John Cena revealed that he will not be revisiting the “Chain Gang” Era as part of his Farewell Tour. He also responded (via WrestlingWorldCC on Instagram)-

“You should always be curious and always seek growth. I believe we should bever be the person you were yesterday.”

That being said, John Cena has thanked his fans for accepting his “Chain Gang” character era. He stated (via WrestlingWorldCC on Instagram)-

“I’m so grateful for people that repped like the CG. I think that’s dope. I’ve just moved forward in my life and I look back on that fondly. I don’t regret it. But I’m just in a different place.”

It seems like John Cena likes to explore different sides of character as a wrestler based on his comments. His “The Last Real Champion” heel gimmick in 2025 also fits with his view that a person should be never be who he/she was the day before.

What Was “Chain Gang” Era John Cena Like?

The “Chain Gang” gimmick of John Cena was one of his earliest ones in the WWE. He originally debuted as a babyface against a heel Kurt Angle in June 2002 and easily defeated Kurt Angle. However, John Cena became a heel very quickly after attacking Billy Kidman after losing a tag team tournament. He soon debuted the “Chain Gang” version of his character, better known as the “The Doctor of Thuganomics”. This version of John Cena was a heel rapper who liked to trash talk his opponents. John Cena was notable for his slogan “Word Life” in this gimmick. He also wore sports jerseys and hats with a chain on his neck. He used that chain on his fists to hit his opponents while the referee was not looking and then gain the win by pinfall. John Cena had major feuds with other wrestlers like The Undertaker, Kurt Angle and the late Eddie Guerrero under this gimmick (via WWE Vault on YouTube)-

John Cena carried this gimmick from 2002 to 2006. However, his popularity with the fans caused him to become a babyface in October 2003. He had remained a babyface for 21 years before his heel turn in 2025 as per reports.

Chain Gang

Eddie Guerrero

John Cena

The Doctor of Thuganomics

The Undertaker

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Arka Mukherjee

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mma

wrestling

I’m a sports content writer focusing on MMA, WWE and MLB writer at The Playoffs. I have a Master’s degree in Media Science (M.Sc) from my college The Heritage Academy. I got into the sports industry through my previous company where I worked from 2023 to March 2025. I’m a fan of combat sports like pro wrestling and MMA. My favorite part about working at The Playoffs is speculating what can be happening in WWE, especially face-heel turns and results of matches.