John Cena | Good Hang with Amy Poehler

Hello everyone. Welcome to another. episode of Good Hang. We have John Cena. with us today. Actor, wrestler, humanitarian, good citizen of the world. And John and I are going to talk about a. lot of really fun stuff today. We're. going to discuss what it's like growing. up in the Boston area with four. brothers. We are going to decide my new. wrestling character and and realize that. it's going to be incredibly successful. Um, we're going to talk about Little.

Brother, the movie that he's in, um, and. how much fun he had working on it. And. we're going to discuss how dress and. suits are important to him. And because. of that, I'm going to after this intro. go spiff myself up and make sure that I. am looking good for the interview. But. we always like to start these interviews. by checking in with someone who knows. our guest, who wants to ask us a. question to ask our guests and speak. well behind their back. and we are. talking to our first undisputed champion. on this show, WWE Champion Cody Rhodess.

Cody is calling in on Zoom from a. beautiful lake. And um I just like that. he's a champ. I love talking to champs. And um let's see what Cody has to say. about his buddy and at times enemy and. always mentor, John Cena. So Cody, are. you there? >> [music]. >> This episode is presented by All State.

Checking All State First could save you. hundreds on car insurance. Not checking. how long that recipe takes before you. start cooking? Well, that's how you. learn that simmer for 4 hours is buried. halfway down the page. Yeah, checking. first is a good idea. So, check All. State first for an auto quote. It could. save you hundreds. You're in good hands. with All State. Potential savings vary. subjects to terms, conditions, and. availability. All State North American. Insurance Company and affiliates, Northbrook, Illinois.

>> Cody, hello. It's Amy. >> Hey, can you hear me? >> We can hear you. How are you? >> I'm good. I'm sorry if I was doing like. the old people yelling. Can you hear me? I don't know how loud I am at the. moment. I'm outside. >> Congratulations, champ. Nice to meet. you. >> Yeah, very nice to meet you. I uh I have. to share this with you. Uh you might. have heard this already, but where I uh. teach wrestling, um we use bowling for.

votes as a part of the curriculum. >> No way. How do you use it? >> So, it's a way what I suggest I always. ask, has everyone anyone ever seen the. show? Because I was a big fan of the. show, but I always ask if they have and. then they have to go home and watch that. night. It's a way for young the uh. prospective wrestlers to understand that. social media, if you scroll through 300. positive things, but then you find that. one guy who thought you were fat,

there's no point. Go with the go with. everybody else. Go with the people who. already had your back, you know. But we. use that episode. It has brought up. every camp and uh most people know it, too. So, it's actually a lot of fun. >> Oh my god, that's so h that's so nice to. hear. I would never think to ask if. anything from parks is used in in any. kind of curriculum. >> Oh, yeah. >> But you're right. I bet you have young. people who are trying to figure out how. to participate in feedback,

which is really hard, especially for a. young person to like not let that feel. too personal. [laughter]. >> Well, particularly wrestling is brutal. I feel like every funnel is one thing, but I feel like wrestling and Star Wars. is the most divisive social I've ever. seen. [laughter]. It's you can't just say you like a. thing. Like a thing means you dislike. something else and it means it means. war. >> Speaking about Star Wars is really. interesting. I'm sure you've made this. parallel before. All this like heroes.

journey stuff is in the stuff that you. all do, the stories that you make in the. ring. It is very similar which is the. rise and fall and betrayal and like. trying to get uh you know like figure. out who you are in real time. It it. there is a lot of Joseph Campbell. parallels. [laughter]. >> Yeah. I uh I always tell people with the. hero's journey for for me as a baby face. and John as a lifelong baby face. Lot of.

betrayal. >> Lot of betrayal. It's [laughter] uh. every week is is new betrayal. when you know a storyline is happening. when you know for example you're going. to get betrayed let's say by someone. like John do you guys look at each other. and go yeah or do you look at each other. and go I mean you guys probably never. make that sound but [laughter]. >> um I make that sound a lot internally. throughout the course of the day because. [laughter]. a lot of like h you know um but um with.

John, particularly when John, if you've. ever seen it, the moment where he hugs. me and his face changes and uh. >> he was so excited. Uh [laughter]. and I was more um trepidacious in terms. of he had never done that and he had it. didn't even make sense to do it at this. point. He had never gone gone rogue, gone bad. So I just didn't want to screw.

that massive moment up, >> right? He taught me everything I know. because I drove him around for two years. before he got his big tour bus. >> John was such a fun riding partner. A. lot of strict rules. >> We do this little ritual stop where he. had to load up a styrofoam cooler with. an extra 24 beers in the back of the car. [laughter]. >> just in case. >> I'd never seen anyone in terms of he was. our our top star and the lead baby face. at the time, the lead good guy. And he.

>> this term baby face I'm obsessed with. this. >> Okay. Yeah. He is he is the he is the. >> ultimately even after what he did to me. [laughter] they were still fearing him. and booing me. So it was like all right. [laughter] okay thanks guys. John is. pretty great at the magic. except for one area that is widely known. to wrestling fans and wrestlers. John will not talk low or in carney as. we would say like if I need to tell you.

Amy duck the clothesline I'd say like. dizz you know something we this little. carney it sounds like. >> a little like fake language like a pig. Latin. >> it's like a pig Latin meets snoop talk. >> but John yells everything that's going. to happen in the [laughter] ring as loud. as he can possibly yell it. He calls it. for the first four rows an interactive. experience. >> God, this is so helpful because one of. my questions is like to, you know, is.

figuring out exactly how you all. improvise because you're improvising a. lot. Obviously, a lot is written and and. and you know, beat it out. But you're t, you know, you're talking about really. big physical things that you have to. figure out how to signal to each other. in safe ways. obviously. Um, [laughter]. that's really funny that. >> screams it. >> Screams it. >> Screams it. And then there's a the last. match I had with him at SummerSlam. He's.

about to slam me with his big finishing. move, which is the attitude adjustment. from a table to another table. So, it's. highly dangerous. It's going to hurt. Uh, we're going to do it the safest way. we can. But you can hear him yelling at. me why I'm on his shoulders. that he can't see. because my arm is. over his eyes. And I I never spoke back. to John. I It was I never wanted to. speak back. He's, you know, a mentor to. me. And but it was one of those moments.

where I thought, "Buddy, I'm the one. doing this. I [laughter] don't give a. just throw me." Like I I'm not worried. about your your He's screaming at the. top of his lungs. I can't see. Um. [laughter]. >> I really love your relationship. You. guys have a very brotherly relationship. >> Oh, good. Yeah. Well, I I mean, >> I can't think of another guy who didn't. need to take the time. He definitely. didn't need to. He had He was the. busiest guy on the roster. He took the. time. He I was a another term. I was.

He's not going to agree with this, but I. was a job guy. >> What's that mean? >> I was laying on my back looking up at. the lights every night. I was uh the. 3-second tan, as John calls it, you. know. Um, and he still wanted to he had a belief. in me. >> H wow. >> You know, he can speak a little French, too. >> Yeah. And Mandarin, right? >> Ah, the Mandarin. >> I can't. It's so annoying. I I was just. saying like it's so embarrass I I can't.

speak another language. And I don't need. somebody be coming in here and showing. off the two that they can speak. Yeah. You know, it's like keep it to yourself. >> Not on your turf, you know. [laughter]. >> Exactly. >> Not on your turf. We ask the um the. people we speak to before our guest to. ask to give our guests a question. Is. there anything big or small um dumb or. serious that um you think I should ask. John about or you'd want to know about. him? >> Oh man,

>> what's he going to do with all this. knowledge? [laughter]. >> Right. What is he going to do with it? We we don't have a book yet, right? There's no book. >> Does he plan to write a book? And what. is he gonna do with all this knowledge? And if he plans to do nothing, what was. the point? [laughter]. I don't know. >> Perfect question. Perfect question. >> I don't know if that's any good, but. what's the point, [laughter] right? Life's too short. You're not going to be. speaking Mandarin, you know,

it's it it totally speaks to the bigger. thing, which is like I want to know like. when when do we all get to rest? >> Yeah. When do you finally go down, John? When do you rest? You know, >> what's the thing that's going to take. you down? What new thing? [laughter]. >> So, yes, that's the thing. Something. he's going to tackle, he won't be able. to do. >> Actually, that's a really good question. Is what can you not do? Well, >> he'll give you some some excuse my. language. Oh, he'll give you some BS. humble humble answer. God, he's he's so.

well he's so well put together. You got. you got your hands full. >> No kidding. But, you know, I I I do. really well with these big guys. >> Oh, yeah. >> I don't know what to tell you, but I'm. just I really know how to handle them. >> I'm a huge fan of the show, so I know. you do. >> Thank you so much. It means so much that. you talked to us today. And I know John. will be so thrilled that we talked and. um it's really nice to meet you. >> Very nice to meet you, too. Have the. have the best day. And thank you again. If you need anything and anyone wants to.

reach out, I got I could talk about John. for days. >> Oh, awesome. Thank you so much for your. time. Such a pleasure. All right, champ. Talk to you later. >> Have a good one. >> You, too. [music]. >> Uber Eats has all your summer favorites. from Ulta Beauty, which means your. sunscreen can just come to you. Your. daily SPF, that new cleanser you've been. wanting to try, your favorite bronzer, whatever you need to glow this summer, delivered in as little as 25 minutes at. the same prices you'd pay in store. And.

you can connect your Ulta Beauty rewards. so you never miss out. Get Ulta Beauty. on Uber Eats and get your summer glow. on. Ulta Beauty on Uber Eats. Terms. apply. See app for details. This episode is brought to you by. Hershey's. Now, we've got to have a. tough debate that we're bringing to you. straight from the campfire. Are s'mores. better when the marshmallows gooey or. toasty? Got a strong feeling about it? Of course you do. When you're putting it. to the test, just remember that nothing.

makes a s'more like Hershey's chocolate. Join the heated debate at Hershey's on. social media and let us know if you're. Camp Gooey or Camp Toasty. >> We enjoy a tasty beverage every once in. a while. And I wanted to get you. something that was like highly rated, but I didn't want to get you 100 point. wine because with 100 point wine when. you drink it, you're like, I don't get. it. But with something like 98, you're. like, oh man, THEY GOT DIPPED. So. hopefully it's a good glass. >> Oh my gosh, thank you so much. This is.

so nice. >> A lot of fun conversations happen over. wine. >> I want to talk to you about wine. I know. you love wine or you know a and you know. a lot about it. >> I have had a lot. I've had a lot of it. >> But it is like that thing that you can. just keep learning and learning and. learning. >> As with most things, you can you can get. deeper in in the rabbit hole. >> John Cena is here. I'm so excited that I. changed into I put a suit jacket on for. you and. >> I put a suit jacket on for you and a. pocket watch for you. >> and a Is that a personal pocket watch?

>> It is. I didn't have the Does it mean. something? >> Of course it does. I have my readers. >> Wait, let's put our readers on. Let me. see yours. >> I will I will do the full presentation. again. [gasps]. Starts out as a monle. [laughter]. Here we are. [snorts]. [laughter]. >> Now that falls under some habeddasherie. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Um I like that you do you like to wear a. suit? >> Uh I do. I do. >> How come? >> I think you know I've I've tried to. reflect on this. I think it has to do. with uniformity. I do. So, like there's.

the uniformity of knowing what you have, but then the freedom to do cool stuff. within that. >> Yeah. >> You know, like um not exactly base suit. colors, so there's an aggressive stance. with the pinstripe, [laughter]. >> but it's still going to be like, okay, uh non- low cut waist coat, two button. coat, >> everything fits. >> Do you get them get them made for you? >> And that's another thing, right? So, like I used to hate suits cuz they used. to be so uncomfortable, >> right? >> Until people were like, "No, no, we make. it around you." M. >> I'm like, "Uh, say what?" And then.

someone made me a suit and I put it on. and it felt like a warm-up suit. >> Yeah. Are you the same gen as me? Are. you Gen X? >> I Yes, I believe so. Yes. >> So, I feel like in our lifetime, we've. watched clothing get just more and more. and more casual. >> In our lifetime, I feel we have w uh. watched clothing get more efficient. >> Yeah. >> You know, this one suit is made of. stretch fabric, so you can run a mile in. it and you never have to wash it like. >> Right. It's more of that. >> Yes. And this connects to kind of what I.

wanted to start talking. >> again just my lens. >> Yeah. But but but I think it connects to. a bigger thing which is there's. something about the way and you would in. which you participate in what would. almost be considered um at times. oldfashioned things which are. professionalism, [laughter] politeness, uh like wearing a suit, being like being. able to be dependable. All those things. sometimes feel like sadly that they feel. sometimes old-fashioned. My experience.

I've got a chance to work with you and. had the pleasure to get to know you a. little bit over the the last couple of. years and and like you're just such a. professional, John. Like you're such a. hard worker. You do what you say you're. going to do and even the suit like feels. like a symbol of like I'm taking this. seriously I guess. Where does that come. from? Have you always had that? Have you. always been that person? >> So, there's a lot there. >> Okay.

>> There's a whole lot there. Um, >> we got wine. We're fine. >> I don't know how simple that. Uh, simple. Yes. Um, you want to be in. shape, go to the gym. Simple. Easy. I. don't know. >> Right. >> Those things aren't easy. >> Yeah. >> Uh, and [sighs] you equate those things. with success. M. >> success is ambiguous. There is no one. recipe for success. >> Yeah. >> What I do uh is what I believe will get.

me the next opportunity. But I'm also. wrong a lot of times. >> Where do I get those things? >> Through wisdom and experience. If we. were doing this interview in 2005, >> I would have an oversized uh sports. jersey on. I would have a backwards. Mitchell Ness hat on. I would have come. in with more diamonds than I've ever. seen in my life or I need. I would have. I would have been wearing a set of. Reebok pumps and a set of jorts. >> and I never would have broken the. character of the doctor of thuggonomics.

>> You Yeah, you would have stayed there. >> because that at the time I felt was my. path to success. Uh how did I get these. things? Good question. So I don't know. how to succeed. I don't I always try to. put uh odds in my favor and I appreciate. people's opportunity. I'm also not. supposed to be here. I'm a kid from West. Newberry who didn't train for this. I. didn't put in the hours of uh improv. classes like you. Um it's like a happy. accident. All All said, life hands.

people opportunity and hands people some. bad cards. If you get an opportunity. card, man, try to work to make the most. of it. >> Yeah. >> I am where I'm at because I know how to. fail. M. >> and I talk to people about this a lot. and I want to try to I'm trying to. expand on this idea to get it out to. people. >> Yeah. >> The things you do in life, I can. guarantee you will fail if. you are unreliable,

unprofessional, uninvested, and uncoachable. >> Mhm. >> Those four things. And I don't mean like. work. I mean like life. It's so it's so. interesting you say that because. sometimes when I when people ask about. like succeeding in in the kind of stuff. that I do, I always say something that. it feels like almost simple, but it's. like just be fun to work with. And it's. it falls under that category, which is. when people want you around, you get more opportunity. Like the the. the the it's the final product of what's.

going to happen in your life to your. point about what you're going to be. successful at. You never know. You don't. even know if it's going to be what you. want. It it always changes. >> Sure. >> But the experience, the way people feel. around you, >> it they remember they remember, I liked. working with that person. I had a good. time. >> Or I liked seeing that person. I liked. being entertained by that person. I I. had a good interaction. >> Yeah. >> That doesn't necessarily guarantee. success. I I'm not what I'm not saying. is if you're coachable, professional,

reliable, and passionate, >> you will succeed. Because there's still. a level of magic dust and ambiguity and. luck. >> and things beyond our control. I can't. tell you how to succeed. What I can do. is if you are unprofessional, uncoachable, uninvested, and unreliable, you will fail 100%. Guaranteed. I want. to talk to you about your thoughts about. winning and losing and about. collaboration and like and I feel like. it goes back to probably the fact that.

you grew up in a family with four. brothers, five boys. >> Amazing. >> Yeah, that is that is a feat. [laughter]. >> Your mom. >> Well, I mean, she had uh albeit she had. probably she had probably a tough. 30-year run, I would [laughter] say. We we got a chance to so John and I got. to work together a few different times. in different ways and you told me a. story about your brothers and you and. crayons. >> Yeah. >> Can you tell that story? >> Yeah, sure. Uh so.

the house was wonderful. Uh and not too. many safety guards. So, uh, if helicopter parenting is like. constantly looking over your kid, my parents were submarine parents, like. I I don't I'm trying to find the exact. opposite. >> They were hiding in the basement. >> I think I think the only safety concern. was at night we do like a 10 and 10. inspection. You got 10 fingers, you got. 10 toes, go to sleep. >> That was such a cool thing to have as a.

young person. >> because we essentially could have an. idea and do the idea. >> Amazing. So, because there were so many of us and. my dad would work and my mom would stay. home, um, we would just do stuff like in. a box of 64 crayons, if one kid was. behaving and coloring in the lines, three other kids grabbed as many as they. could and just ran on the walls and did. whatever just to be like, "This is. great." Because at the time doing that. as a kid, that is great.

>> Yeah. >> But my poor mom would be like, "Oh man, Matt, what a great what the. I can't even imagine. >> Meanwhile, like laundry for an army is. piling up and she's like, "Oh my god, now I got to feed everybody again. I. just fed you guys three hours ago. >> Taking years off her life.". >> Oh man. But honestly, [laughter] she she. had an uphill climb for three decades. and now all of us collectively as a. group are like, man, we need to make we. need to make sure she's doing all right.

always. So, uh, these these last, you. know, four plus decades. >> have been a different chapter in my. mom's life and especially like the last. 20 between all of us and her have been. real special. >> I want to ask you about that because I. know you you've done some very special. things for her, but growing up in Boston. in the '8s. >> y. >> not like you know what what were you. guys were was your family you know like. were you known as like the Cena. brothers? >> Oh my god. Yes. And they all came walk.

together. >> So, uh, this I grew up in West Newberry. We got to take Boston out of the. >> equation. Well, we all say Boston no. matter where. >> because anything around no one cares, >> right? >> So, West Newberry is, if you keep going. northeast of the state of Massachusetts. to the New Hampshire line, there are. some old maritime towns that are quite. beautiful. >> And inland, there are some even smaller. farming towns. And that's West Newbury, 1,200 people. And in 1985, your neighbor. is acres away and you got to ride bikes.

everywhere. It was it was like out of a. out of a movie like it was like Goonies. >> Yeah. >> You know, like it was awesome. >> So, yes, we were the scenas. >> and we could show up and a basketball. game would ensue because we've brought. the team. >> It was it was incred an incredible place. to grow up. >> Yeah. >> And I'm so glad I didn't stay there. because it is it is not a diverse look. at the world, >> right? But man, what a what a cool place. to grow up, especially. >> especially because when you're a young. boy, like boys, young boys are sometimes.

like dogs. You have to kind of like run. them out. You have to run them. They. need like a yard and you just throw the. ball. >> Yeah. And we had acres and like we could. go out in the forest and try to burn the. forest down. [laughter]. >> Thank you, West Newbury Fire Department. Or we could have like pickup football. games that would end in brawl for alls. where parents are just pulling up in. their cars and ripping. [laughter]. That's my kid. And it's but it was. great. And it was great. >> And did you learn how to like. >> I learned how to lose a fight which I. think is really like any tips.

>> That's why I'm a diplomat. Like you get. your ass kicked a few times and you're. like yo that this sucks. >> Yeah. And and what do you and what are. some rules to lose a fight? Like what do. you what did you learn by losing a. fight? >> Humility. Embarrassment. Physical harm. And and another thing is like. >> Yeah. >> Winning a fight also sucks. It doesn't. feel good. Yeah, >> especially when you're like, man, we. just fought over like who gets to play. bases loaded next like [laughter]. >> what? >> And that kid's hurt. Like,

>> so you get on both sides of that. equation. >> Yeah. And uh. >> I don't think people realize that, you. know, and when we grew up when in my. high school there was a fight every day. after school. >> and it was like, "Oh, who's going to. fight today after school?" And girl, women too, young. It was common. >> It was very common. And in fact, when I. went to college for a while, I would go. to parties and I would just kind of. stand there. >> It's like an episodic 3:00 high. >> Yes. And people and people would be. like, "What are you worried about?" I'm. like, "There's too many people here from. different towns. Like, this is going to.

go down.". >> The different town thing. >> Different towns. Someone showed up at. your party from a different town. Forget. it. >> But [laughter] as you know, >> show party, but if the Haveril kids show. up. >> Exactly. >> Yikes. >> Like kids from Wuburn show up like it's. going to be a bloody mess. But um do you. have to like as a big guy growing up as. a tough guy with brothers like. >> and but also you felt like you were. >> crazy. I was I got the [ __ ] kicked out. of me every day. >> Every day cuz I was a scrawny kid and.

dressing like MC Hammer [laughter]. >> and Bel Dvau. It was like if Bel DVO and. MC Hammer ran into each other. [laughter]. >> Yeah. rayon and airbrush denim. >> and you got p and you got high top fade. >> beat up by your brothers or by people. >> by by my peers. So it was a multitown. high school where the junior high is at. one place and the high school is at one. place. >> and Marramax buses were here and. Groven's buses were here and West. Newberry's buses are over at the high. school and I'm in junior high and you. have to like go I. >> I see the walk down the sidewalk as if.

it was yesterday. I'm walking down the. sidewalk and I'm passing the kids who. are like 15, 16, who can't drive yet and. still have to go to the bus and I'm the. one so wearing like rayon polka dots in. in a an 80s rock, country music, combat. boot, denim, >> you know, mullets, like you you can. paint the picture. I stand out like a. sore thumb and I was an easy target and. like a scrawny skinny kids. Even. something as simple as like boom, down. the hill I go,

>> right? shitty comment like that. That. was that was on the daily. >> That was like the daily. >> But that's trauma. >> So [laughter] So. >> that's traumatic, John. >> Uh I app I appreciate you saying that. >> That's traumatic. >> Life deals us all hills to climb. >> Yeah. >> I doubled down. It was It was a great. experience for me. Here I sit dressed. loudly. >> as myself. >> I'm not I don't I don't have a stylist. I prefer to do these things without.

makeup because I want people to see me. as me. >> Now I understand. >> if I'm creating a character. >> Yeah. >> Put as much [ __ ] on me as you want. >> But this is me, >> right? >> And this is how I feel comfortable. >> And when those kids picked on me for how. I dressed, I would go straight to. Liberty Tree Mall and be like, "What is. worse than this?". >> Yeah. >> I'm turning it up. >> My god, the Liberty Tree Mall. >> And then like and then I found weights. >> So it's I didn't learn to fight. I. wasn't like, "Yo, I got to learn to. fight. I'm just going to project.

>> the art of like. >> the math isn't so much in your favor. anymore." And by the time I got over to. the new building, I was 15. I'd been. working out for two and a half years, and I was stronger than everybody. So, every like, ah, I may get him, but if I. catch a stray, I'm going to get my teeth. knocked out. So, it it hedged. Like, it. worked. >> So, what's it like to go home to Boston? >> It's it's wonderful, actually. >> Wonderful. must feel like they really. cuz the one thing I'll say one of the. things about Boston that's really lovely.

is. your hometown really embraces you like. if they feel like if they have some. pride in you you really feel it when you. go back like people really feel like hey. they they share like look you always. know from Bostononians how they feel. they tell you to your face you're good. you're bad I like you I don't like you. >> it's weird they do but they don't it's I. want to I'll elaborate on that but Yeah. No. Do you think do you think I'm wrong. that they're more passive aggressive? >> No. No. They'll tell you how they feel. about you, >> right?

>> They'll never tell you how they feel. >> Oh, no. Feelings. >> And that like So that's why uh that's. why recently going home has been way. better. >> Yeah. >> Because my brothers are all hitting that. like late 40s approaching the half. century now. And they're all we all have. wisdom of like. >> Yeah. Man, it's kind of a kind of a. shitty mindset if somebody's like, "Hey, how's life?" And you're like, "Ah, it's. taking forever." [laughter]. >> Like that. >> Yeah. >> But that's also West Newberry. >> Totally.

>> And man, as as beautiful as the. landscape is, sometimes there's a a lot. more anchors than sales over there. >> Yeah. >> You know, and I I love the pride. You're. right. Like when when someone from a. community makes it, the community has. made it. >> That's right. >> I like that. >> That's right. >> Because that's a win for everybody. Hopefully it gets everybody's spirits. >> Yeah. >> And I don't I don't mind that. Um. it's just sometimes hard to get anything. real out of anybody. >> Oh, babe. The idea of figuring out your. feelings and saying them in real time, that was not what we grew up with.

>> Yeah. >> I mean, I still kind of can't believe. sometimes when people are able to locate. their feeling and then say it, it's. like, how did you do that? Because we. just It's a skill. It's a skill to. figure out what you're actually feeling. >> Yeah. feel it and then express it. That's like a lifetime of work. And when. you're around culturally this thing, this feeling of just like to your point, there's a lot of like a lot of comedy, >> a lot of self-deprecation. >> A lot [clears throat] of. self-deprecation and a lot of.

>> lot of doom and gloom and pessimism. >> A lot of pessimism and a lot of action. over words, right? So, someone's not. going to say necessarily say like, "I. love you." But they're going to like fix. your tire. >> The mshole. >> Yeah. What the [ __ ] you broken down for? Ah, dude, you [ __ ] idiot. Let me fix. your tire. All right, get the [ __ ] out. of here. [ __ ] off. >> Yeah. >> Like, that's literally their way of. saying like, "Ah, man.". >> Yeah. >> Tough day, right? >> Yeah. >> Let me help you out here. [laughter]. >> Right. >> I hope everything goes better for you. >> But it's not that. >> No, [laughter] it's not that.

>> Yeah. >> No, it's [ __ ] He can't even [ __ ]. roof a house. I'll get up and [ __ ]. roof in two hours. You told me a story. though about and I want to get to. wrestling because I have so many. questions about it and as a person who. the the Bostononian and me had an early. experience with it, but it's changed so. much. Like. >> we've kind of lived in the same world. though. >> I know. Okay. Your mom, you bought her a. house. >> My mom earned. a a castle.

>> But that story is such a good story. >> We settled on a house. >> Okay. Tell just tell a little bit of. that story how it went if you don't. mind. >> Uh there's never any land for sale in. West Newberry, >> right? >> And there came a large plot for sale in. the height of development and it was. heavily overpriced. >> I don't know if anyone was following the. financial ticker, but something happened. in 2008 [laughter]. >> and that same person. >> they made good decisions. >> Well, the culmination of all those good. decisions happened and they stopped they. stopped pouring the champagne.

>> Yeah. the person who was selling the. property came back and said, "Hey, um, we just want to recoup our engineering. costs. Would you still be interested?". So, a value opportunity came up of like, "I don't need this.". >> Mhm. >> But I have an idea of what I can do with. it. >> Oh, wow. >> And my brother Dan just so happened to. be in really good graces and working for. a contractor at the time, and he's one. of the the most respected individuals in. in like our small building community. met with him and I kind of specked out.

like what would this idea take in real. time? He's like less than the cost of. what they offered you to buy the place. for. I'm like, "But you can do all. this?" He's like, "I can." He's like, "I'd like you to put your name on this. place and make it something you're proud. of." He's like, "I still can do that.". Okay, do it. And like a secret meeting. like this. >> Oh my god. >> Everyone wearing suits. >> Every a lot of smoke, everybody's. scotch. It was It was 8:00 a.m. [laughter]. It was like, "Dan, we're doing this. Don't [ __ ] say a word. The story is.

I'm moving back home." So, building a. house takes a long time and it's a. beautiful plot on the hill where like. from three towns over, you can see. what's going on. So, now we got to clear. land and we're digging trenches and. we're building this nice. >> beautiful New England home that exposes. itself to the river. It's got. viewpoints. It's got this crazy copper. dome and all this stuff. Everything is. settled for like creatively everything's. on the first floor and there are. multiple floors but everything you need.

to get in and out of the access is on. the first floor and. >> everybody's watching the project and. everybody's like when are you coming. home and everyone you know in the. family's kind of excited and meanwhile. I'm still in my residence happy in. Florida. So, it finally gets done 2. years later and it's around. Thanksgiving, which is a great time in. New England because everyone like comes. home for Thanksgiving and they go to the. bars for Thanksgiving and the. Thanksgiving football game. My mom's. birthday is close to Thanksgiving. >> Yeah. >> So, we throw a Thanksgiving thing and. it's not for my mom's birthday.

Everybody comes over cuz we're keying. the door to the house for the first. time. Place still smells new. >> and taking everybody for a tour and I'm. bragging about like, "Ah, this is this. and this is this thing." And I built a. bar over the garage cuz I had had one. space for me. [laughter]. My mom doesn't like that, but she wanted. to come see the whole house. And when. everybody gets in the bar room, I give. my mom a birthday present. And it's the. key to the house. >> And she she like lost it. >> Like she absolutely she's like, "I. can't. I can't." I'm like, "No, it's.

already taken care of. Movers are coming. tomorrow." My mom uh was living in the. third floor of like a triple family in. an attic in 300 square ft with her stuff. packed in. She was just by herself. packed in and she was content and happy. That's who my mom is. She's she's a. lunch pale blue like she go to work. Uh. she wouldn't accept it. So then I had to. negotiate. I had to be a diplomat of. like you don't understand. There'll be. trucks there tomorrow. Everyone's on.

board. We're going to move your stuff. over. I'll tell you what, it's it's. already here. This isn't for me. >> Could you please at least give it a try. so all this doesn't go to waste? Well, if it's going to go to waste [laughter]. and uh that was that was like 15 years. ago and she's been there ever since. And. now it's it's her place and we get. together there on holidays and it's her. place. >> and that's what a son should do for his. mother. >> Well, uh again, >> yes, >> I I buy your mother a house. She she.

earned it. She absolutely earned it. >> It's such a beautiful story, too, John, because you also included everybody in. that surprise, you know, like and and. and you I I just think I don't know. I. just I just think it's it's so. indicative of how you're always kind of. thinking about how can I how can I. extend my gratitude? You're you're such. a generous generous person. And we'll. talk about that. Um but I after this, my. parents are going to call me and say, "Why haven't you bought me a house?". 100%. Bill and Eileen are going to be.

like, >> "We're against the wall. We have no. space.". >> We heard John on the podcast and we're. wondering why you haven't built us a. house. You know, my dad used to take me to. wrestling in the 80s. Um, we used to go. see No. So, we used to see Hulk Hogan. Where. >> Sergeant? I know you were going to ask. me this. I forget. Maybe like the worrum. [laughter].

>> or as we would say Wora. >> the Worcester Sentrum. >> So it was Hulk Hogan um Sergeant. Slaughter the Iron Chic. >> Yeah. >> High88s you know very um. >> so there here's the cool thing there. were a lot more performers on that card. but you remember like. >> Yeah. >> Americana patriotism. >> Totally. It was Yeah. It was USA all the. way. >> Xenophobic all that. But that's that was. >> totally that was a time and I remember. watching it and being like, you know, in.

retrospect now it was kind of like the. closest we could get to Las Vegas or. something like it was like it was like. how it felt like a like a highlevel high. energy performance. Um. >> that's pretty that's on the bullseye. >> Yeah. With with audiences that were. really really invested. >> Yeah. And can you explain? Wrestling to me feels like a combination. of. dance, choreography, writing, and story, and like magic that.

you will never know the secrets to. >> I'll take that. >> Okay. Is that fair? >> I think that's very fair. So when you. are performing. and you are in that arena and the. audience gets to interact with you and. you are how much have you prepared for. that day because the difference is like. any other performance there is such. skill needed for the physical I mean you.

like circus sole doesn't wing it. No, >> but you there is a there's an amount of. improv in wrestling that I've noticed. when I would see it and also and and. when watching it now that is like I can. can't always tell how much is prepared. how much is actually prepared and. rehearsed. I guess. >> it depends it completely depends on the. performers. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Some do that some don't. >> Some. what do you like to do? >> I like to be an improvisational.

performer. >> Right. But that is not I don't go out. and wing it, >> right? >> I prepare. >> my ass off. >> So I start with the creative part. What. is the story? >> Yeah. >> So if we're fighting over the fact that. you stole 10 grand from me, >> right? >> Everything I do is going to relate back. to your theft. >> and everything you do is going to defend. that you never took it. And the thing. that WWE is different than SNL, [clears throat] that is different than.

Sketch, >> the audience is the act, not observing. the act. >> The audience is the act. So, as a. performer, the way I approach it is, okay, I have 25 minutes. We have a match. together, and we've been telling the. story of you've stolen something from. me, >> $10,000. >> for for three weeks. This is a lot of. money. Um, >> you needed it for your. >> I was gonna pay off my mom's house. >> Your mom's house. >> and you took that away from me. >> And now she can't get in. >> And now she's gonna be evicted.

[laughter]. >> Yep. >> So just by. >> What are you going to do about it? >> You've kicked my mom out of her house. >> Yeah. Oh, that's so good. >> You did that. >> Yeah. >> And I almost This is the last payment. >> Yeah. >> You know, you're taking the back and I. got the keys and I'm just swinging them. right in front of you. >> Yeah. So now you you being a creative. mind, we could have that wrestling match. right now. >> Right. Give us 25 minutes. I'll take 35. >> Okay, I love that. And then you're. right. So the all the moves are kind of. connected to that, right? Like. everything goes back to that theme.

>> And here's where it gets very. interesting. >> If the story dictates in this match, it. dictates. >> you've stolen something from me. We're. going to ring the bell. I'm going to. show that I'm more skilled and I've. earned this the right to make this. payment. You're going to cheat just like. you stole and be like, "No, I'm better.". Right? And then there's going to come a. point in the story where the crowd is. like, >> "Would you do something?" It's the. typical Hulk up. It's called the. comeback. >> So what I do is we have our why.

What we need to really rehearse is from. the comeback to the finish. >> Okay. >> And that's usually that's usually the. rehearse. The physical part. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> The third act needs to be. >> ad nauseium. You need to have it. >> right. >> because. >> you're doing dangerous things. >> You [laughter] are doing dangerous. things, but there's a fundamental trust. between performers that you know X. skill, I know X-kill. And the. conversation we can have before is. >> do you do anything specific that's. outside of the fundamentals that I.

should know about, >> right? >> And the person who leads gets all that. information and stores all these things. in their uh card catalog. >> The third act needs to be prepared. because it can also change, >> right? Basically, you use the first two. acts to go out and improvise, >> right? >> And if we get out there in the Worcester. Center, which I believe to be a rowdy. crowd, but slightly different than. Boston and Hartford, but they change and. they're like, "We're for you.". >> Right? We don't want that mom to have.

her house. >> But keep in mind, we need that. >> we need to gear for that moment where. they're like, "John, do something.". >> So immediately, a piece of line that I. would throw in the water is punch me in. the face. And they might cheer. >> You would say that to me. Punch me in. the face. >> I would say immediately punch whatever. we had planned. If we talked about. something [laughter] and they came out. and we're like, "Yeah, me." I'm like, "Punch me in the face now." Or or like. I'll go out. >> I will go out and turn my shoulder to. the crowd as if I'm confused. And when I. come back, hit me in the face. Bam. So,

we did two things there. You threw the. first punch, which is not fair. It's not. virtuous. >> And you did it when I wasn't looking. Right. >> So, it's these subconscious things of. like, they're for Amy, but this is my. mama. And bam. Oh, [clears throat]. jeez. Get on me. Come here. And then I. would have you just beat the tire out of. me. And they might like that. And then I. would just have you lean into that. >> Yeah. >> Where it becomes like, oh man, it's like. watching a bad fight. >> And then I would just listen to be like,

well, come on. Do something. Do. something. No, screw. Do something, man. Okay, duck. Here we go. And then we go. into now we have the now the audience is. working with us rather than against us. But there have been instances where the. people behind the curtain will tell the. ref to tell you like switch the finish. [laughter]. >> So we've decided that the other person. is going to win. >> So if you're super prepared, >> you can change things.

>> and and change in real time. Now keep in. mind as I'm saying when I turn around, punch me in the face. >> I'm listening to the crowd. I'm hoping. you're going to be there. I'm also. listening to my ref. So, sorry that is I. thought that was real. >> No, it's fake. [laughter]. >> So, real ruse. Anyway, I I have the ref. being like, "You have 17 minutes left. You have 16 minutes left.". >> Mm-. >> So, like, it's all happening in real. time. And there are coaches watching you. from behind a curtain that will tell the. ref what they think you should do,

>> right? Oh, you're getting You're getting. notes in real time. >> In real time. >> But that's why live TV is so. That's why I wanted to do it forever and. I just physically I can't do it anymore. But that's why when every anyone says. like what do you like more? Wrestling. >> Yeah. >> That's why I I I got run out of. Hollywood the first time around. >> You talked about that. I I love what you. said which is like um. >> look at what we just talked about. That's [ __ ] great. You can feel the. excitement. crowd the the noise. >> and then when you get like when you get.

fluent at it. >> when you're like oh I kind of understand. this. I'll do this and and then the. challenge becomes like, oh man, the UK. crowd is throwing a beach ball around. How the do I work that into the act? Go. out and get that thing and pop it and we. come back. [laughter] When you come. back, I'm going to give you my finish. real time. This stuff I've had people. get married. I've had people start. fights and stands and we work it all. into the act. >> That's amazing. >> Just cuz you're prepared. >> It's the opposite of like doing standup. and not wanting a heckler. Basically, you want that feeling that people are.

listening and participating. >> Here's the thing. It's not that we want. it, it's just it is. >> It is. >> And standup, the kind of protocol is. like. >> enjoy the comedy. >> Don't heckle. >> Yeah. >> Here, it's like you have paid your money. to heckle. >> Yeah. >> And there's 12,000 of you. >> All right. Good luck. >> And you can you can heckle on mass. >> Yeah. chants start out that are too hot. for TV that Netflix is turning us off. and turning us off and just literally.

the audio goes out like it's. >> it's crazy [snorts] and you can't the. more you try to be like calm down. everybody. >> Yeah, of course. You don't want you. don't want to be calm down. Understand. that you're working with my character. part of the act. >> I would be like, "You guys calm down. Stop." I'd be like, "Guys, it's so. loud.". >> That would be my thing, guys. IT'S SO. LATE. IN MASSACHUSETTS. >> LIKE, IT'S SO LATE AND IT'S SO LOUD. I. MEAN, why are we fighting? Why are we. fighting? This is crazy. That would be. my character.

>> I Do you hear that? >> Let's take a nap. >> Do you hear that off in the distance? [laughter]. >> It's the money printing machine. >> Oh, man. Calm down shirts. We sell. chamomile tea. >> Oh, this is amazing. That's actually a. great idea. I come in. >> I go. >> and all of my holds, all of my moves are. like to just be like, "Quiet, >> just. >> like and I just I snap and they go down. >> Just be quiet. >> Quiet. Come on.". >> And everybody brings their blankets in.

and they're like, "Sh, >> nobody calm down. Wait, >> what's big foam hands?" Wait, [laughter]. >> calm down, Amy. one when the entire. place is quiet. >> CDA. >> Calm down, Amy. [laughter] CDA. It's. instead of CBD oil, it's CDA. >> CDA. We'll get you that. We'll get that. brand partnership working. This. >> This is [ __ ] genius. >> We did this here. >> We just did this here. >> And here's what's also so crazy about. the WWE. You might see that character. [laughter]. >> They might be watching like,

>> "Yeah, they're on to something. Get the CD going." I love what you said. in your transition to acting is that it. was confusing to not have the show, you. know, like like the super long hours, lots of waiting around for your time. >> Different mindset. >> Totally. And you you spoke about how in. the beginning it was really confusing. >> as a young 20some. Yeah. >> I wanted to be there and I want to go to. the bar afterwards. >> Yeah. Right. >> And then do it in the next town and then. the next town. >> and get instant feedback. >> It's the best. And and I'm not saying.

like crushing it is awesome. It's the. best when you bomb. >> Yeah. >> It's the best, >> right? >> Like cuz then you're like whizzing to be. like, I got another performance in 24. hours. What do I do? Like it's the best. >> Yeah. You don't get feedback when you're. shooting it. I mean, you do from the. director. >> It's a different It's a different. mindset. >> Yeah. >> And uh it took me. appreciation of the mindset to really. apply. >> Yeah. >> And and and people like you to bet on me. and know that like, oh man, I'm getting.

an opportunity here. What what can I do? Show up early and [ __ ] be prepared. >> Yeah. >> Be ready [clears throat] to go. >> I mean, okay, so we worked together in a. movie called Sisters, me and Tina, the. great Paula Pel. And it was so fun. Um, >> tons of comedians. Great cast. >> Great cast. >> Stacked that thing there. >> It was so fun to work with you. And you. and Paula Pal fell in love. You love. each other. >> And I I mean to me a few we had a few. conversations over wine. >> You and Paula had a few wine. What What. did you guys do? You guys hung out and.

and drank wine. >> a lot. >> What's I mean, what's so great about. Paula? What do you love about her? >> I like her her perspective. I love her. courage. Uh man, >> like I I just like that energy. I I like. again I say anchors in sales. >> She's a sail. >> Yeah. >> You know, like always curious, always. creative, offthe-wall. >> Yeah. >> I just know I know any idea is going to. have like that whimsy, that magic in it. >> Yeah. And I I want to be with those.

people. >> Yeah. You know. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Did. you really Were you a big comedy fan. growing up? Because you've done a lot. What were you watching? What? We were. all watching SNL and What were you. watching growing up. >> at a young age? I was watching stuff I. shouldn't be watching. So, my dad was. the only person in my only male in New. England that didn't care for sports. >> Not kidding. Like, we never grew up at. the Red Sox, the Celtics, because that. stuff all happened. >> when I got to junior high, >> right? >> And I had to fall in a peer group. So, like I gota I got to start caring about. sports, >> right? My dad liked old '8s titty comedies and.

pro wrestling [laughter]. like Benny Hill. He loved. So I'm. watching like. >> Benny Hill. >> My people don't understand how important. Benny Hill was. I mean. >> unless you're my dad. >> It's it's in and now you watch now and. you're like Jesus Christ this is a. terrible show. Like Benny Hill is talk. about predator. >> It just didn't age well for for the. time. >> But at the time I remember being a. little kid being like what is this? [laughter] Yep. >> A lady standing behind a bunch of. melons. >> Yep. >> And Benny Hill is like like a cartoon.

character trying to grab. physical. And it was like what? What is. this? Like. >> and and and [laughter]. so in our psyche. Benny Hill. >> Yeah. The chase with the music has. become a meme. >> You don't have to do the Benny Hill. style, but you do the chase in the music. and it's it's a meme. Like. >> And did they watch like did they. >> they watch like Kentucky Fried Movie? Um, Animal House, Catty Shack, >> uh, Anything Rodney did, like I mean,

you name it. I mean, >> all those comedies. We t we talked about. Mr. Mom, like, >> uh, it just 80s comedies. My dad would. literally fast forward through the. romance OF LIKE THE ROMCOMS. >> Got into the jokes, >> but they were great. Yeah, but dude, some of them like you go back and you're. like, "Oh my god, Porky's like. >> Porky's was a that was on. >> that was and when you were a young woman. watching Porky's it was not good.". >> So,

>> John, it really [ __ ] it really [ __ ]. with our heads. >> It did because it was like what is going. on? It's like the like there was so much. like you know I remember watching Weird. Science and being like incredible movie. and then a couple years later I'm like. okay two teenage boys create a sex. robot. It's Kelly Le Brock and they're. like come sex robot come meet our. friends and I'm like that did that does. [ __ ] you up. [laughter]. >> It does. We we saw I'm sure this has. happened where you look at an 80s movie.

you're like this is hilarious comedy and. then you play it and you're like oops. There's a lot of that. But you have you. have a like you have a real knack and. love I think for comedy especially, but. you do all different kinds of acting. Um, what do you what do you like what's. your relationship to acting right now? Like what you know, you're you're you're. retired. >> Uh, I'm I'm a retired physical. performer. >> We'll see. >> No, no, no, no. >> Okay. >> So, I have stated that speaking in. absolutes is impossible. >> Yeah, exactly. I've also used the term.

it would be financial suicide [laughter]. for someone to be like here's what it's. going to take and I'll be like you did. it I'm a liar [laughter] financial. suicide judge Judy Judge Judy negotiates. her contracts she slides over a number. >> that [snorts] is so she's such a G. >> such a G and then she goes and if you. don't want me to do it. >> guess what. >> go home. >> guess what. >> who cares I got I'm good. >> I got a.

I got 3:15. It's 30:07. >> She's like, >> she slides. She slides and they look and. then they go, >> "Welcome back." or whatever. Um, but. >> so never performing physically again. >> Okay. Got it. Got it. >> And there's there's multi- tears to. that. Uh, I I need to stop because. physically I want to be I want to enjoy. a long good life. I don't want to have a. bunch of crusty years and punishing my. body. >> The math isn't in my favor for the good. years. >> What is the part of your body that barks. the most when it's. >> low back? But so so I'm a male or I'm a.

human at 50. That's everyone. >> Yeah. >> Aside from that, I did really good. >> That's great. Do you do like Pilates and. yoga and like stretchy stuff? >> Heavy stretchy stuff. >> Yeah. >> And I hate it and I do it a lot all the. time. >> Can you touch your toes? >> I can. >> [ __ ] I can't touch my toes. >> Stay in the frame. >> The suit is tough. >> My god, John is doing it. He's touching. his toes. I can't I actually can't bend. farther THAN THE SUIT. >> WA.

>> YEAH, >> that's really good. John, >> I can go hands flat on the floor. That's. my stretch flat on the floor. >> That's my stretch every day in the. shower. And if you walk in on me taking. a shower, [laughter]. >> you'll see me in a different POV. >> Man, I was just all the funky bits. spread open. That is the every morning. full spread. Start with that full. spread. Man, I I I was I was really. hoping that you would be not flexible. because. >> No, cuz that's I have to work. >> You have to work at it. That's. incredible.

>> I want to move around. >> Yeah. >> So, I can talk about it or do it. >> Okay. >> And it sucks and I hate it and I do it. >> Oh, god. You do. You You're good at. doing things you don't like to do, >> but I like to do them because I like. what it yields. >> Yeah. And and uh forced austerities are. a luxury because life gives you stuff. that you really don't want to do that. you didn't get to choose. So it's. >> and a lot of times the choose like I. want to do this or I want to be good at. this. All right. It's going to be a lot. of things that are going to be tough. >> Yeah. Okay. So I'll [ __ ] stretch. more. Jesus. >> You got to.

>> I know. >> You got to I mean it's just it's like a. crusty rubber band. You got to you got. to make sure. Don't don't let it get too. weird. >> Oh god. Okay. >> So physically I'm good. >> So you're physically good and you're. feeling good and your relationship to. acting now feels like what what have you. learned about yourself as you've become. as you've acted more and more? >> What I what have I learned? >> Yeah. Yeah, >> acting and wrestling are the same. >> The same. >> Interesting. >> I don't run the company, so I don't. control who wins and loses. >> Right. >> Uh I get a chance to make choices within. my story, but I can't change the finish.

>> Mhm. >> I should be prepared. I should hit my. time. I shouldn't ask for more than I'm. given. And I should be grateful what I. have. If you do good work and you are. professional, it increases the math of. people calling me back. >> Right. And also, I got to say, John, you're such a softy. You were the like. you're really really I talked about it. earlier. You're such a generous person. You're the person that's given the most. Um, you know, you've you've fulfilled. more Makea-Wish wishes than any. celebrity, over 650 at this point. You. you do incredible amounts of charity.

work. I know that about you. Giving that. amount of time to people is expensive. It's a lot of energy and and even that. sometimes I'm sure you walk away feeling. like I wish I could have given more. How. do you kind of when you approach people. who are sick and ill? Because a lot of. people are very scared of reaching out. when people are in a tough place. You. know what I'm talking about? It's not. easy to be around especially young. people who are having um perhaps like.

who are perhaps at close to the end of. their lives. >> Remember your why. >> Mhm. >> Why am I there? Am I there to be scared? >> Right. >> Am I there to be sad? No. I am there to be the hope. >> Mhm. M. >> and that is my why. And now I'm retired. People like Cody, people like Ria, people like Roman, it's their time to be. the hope. You know what I'm saying? >> Yeah. >> Those experiences. renew my faith in humanity.

>> Yeah. >> They give me gratitude for life. >> Yeah. >> I'm so grateful for the people I've met. >> Yeah. >> Like, and man, when people are just raw, emotionally excited, you see it. It's. real. You can't fake it. I like what I'm. learning about you, um, John, is like. you're chase you're you're chasing. emotion. Like you're looking for it. You. like want to have real connection. >> Don't we all? >> No. >> I disagree. >> Well, I mean, I guess I mean, I guess we. do, but I guess we do at the end.

>> There's no 100% certainty of anything. There might be a mathematical. >> answer. I guess it's just that people. don't make it a priority, right? Like. they they might want it, but they but. but it feels like you prioritize. connection. That's what matters. I'm. just. >> I'm just I'm just saying like. >> I get what I'm just trying to I'm trying. to do me the best the best I can. >> You won't take a You won't take a. [ __ ] compliment. >> I will say at this moment in life. connection swinging them around in the. ring and I'm going to give you a. compliment before the finish. Now. everybody calm down and get quiet so I.

can compliment you. And now take a nap. >> CDA. CDA. >> It's too late. Um Okay. [clears throat]. Um and so um uh uh the other thing is. you you brought up Cody. >> Yeah. So, we do a thing on the podcast. where we talk to someone who knows our. guest. >> I did this for Idris. >> Oh, yeah. That's right. >> It's where I gave you the [laughter]. It's where the mythology behind that. bottle of wine. You've pounded during. this show. >> Oh my god. >> And forgot that I did your show. Yes. >> Yes.

>> I remember you did it. What was the What. was the mythology? What is the. >> I told you the next time I see you bring. a bottle of wine. >> Oh, I did forget that. >> I wish you would let me remember that. way. I wouldn't have had to carry that. in my bag. [laughter]. This is so fancy this wine. I can't wait. to drink it. Okay, thank you for doing. that for Idris. And um. >> it's Idris. He's my guy. >> And um Cody talked to us today. >> I'm so glad you talked to him. >> Cody Rhodess, first of all, >> cuz I will say not a lot of wrestlers on. Good Hang.

Trying to You're trying to have a. diverse portfolio of people in the. entertainment space. Not a lot of WWE superstars. Good hang. Think I might be numero uno. >> Yeah. Well, we've got two today. >> That's right. See, there we go. >> Chill out. We've reached our goal. >> I think this is a great day. You've. increased your population by 100%. >> You're right. And I do want to talk to. more wrestlers. >> And that's why I started the podcast. >> No, but you will out of guilt. You be. like, we gota Could somebody get the.

number of that guy because we'll have. that'll be crazy. >> But, you know, I love talking to Cody. and um. >> that's good. Well, first of all, I found. out that um the term baby face, which. >> yeah, >> absolutely love and uh. >> heal too. >> Heel. Would I be considered a baby face? >> So, this is another thing. It's kind of. it's kind of ambiguous. If you went out. and tried to be liked, you would be a. heel. >> [ __ ]. >> I think if you went out and you yourself. >> baby face, >> born baby face. >> And then, uh do women get different.

terms in wrestling? Do they? >> No, the terms are universal. >> Okay. Love that. Okay. And it was really. fun to talk about him noticing how much. you not only care about your own work. and pay attention to the good work of. others, but that you're kind of. constantly. um learning new things. I mean, you. taught you you learn you know Mandarin. >> a little bit. >> You know French, I am a. >> little bit. >> Okay, congrats. Um. >> that so like that's like you know math. I know a little bit of math. I don't.

know all of math. >> Like I I know I know um speak um could. you order in a restaurant in both those. languages? >> Yes. >> Congrats. That's great. Well, Cody was. like, "What are you Cody's question is. such a brotherly question, which is like. what are you going to do with all this. knowledge?". >> He was like, "Write a book and if you. don't write a book, what's the point of. it all?" [laughter]. >> And then he was like, "What can you not. do?" Well, but Cody was really funny. His question was really this search for.

knowledge and getting like you really. want to know things. What do you what do. you what what's what what's behind that. search? What's behind like the drive for. those things? >> Am I honoring life correctly? >> Yeah. But but why do you worry that. you're not? >> Because look how lucky I am. >> Yeah. >> Like am I am I doing enough? >> Am I doing enough? >> If I'm not moving forward. >> Mhm. >> I'm not honoring the luck. I I talk. about like earning the sunset. I'm big. on like honoring the luck. This is not.

in my control. This is like the weird. mystical piece of the universe from who. I am when I was born, where I was born, the opportunities I've been had that are. beyond my control. Just go like hell and. try to honor the luck. It's what I do. alone. >> to focus, stay committed, do something. hard, feel good about myself like it is. mine. But when you go to my wrestling. matches, you're going to be encouraged. to just take take a break and calm down.

and take a nap. Just you got it. You. did. >> You are. You are. >> I do think productivity is a cur. You. know, it can be a curse. >> Leaving money on the table. [laughter]. >> Okay, we got a little quick lightning. round. Here we go. What are you reading. >> right now? Uh, mania's crisis and. [clears throat] crashes, eighth edition. >> What's that? It is a history of market. mania, uh, crashes and, um, bubbles. >> Uhhuh. >> Okay, great. >> Because I just want to know about it. >> You want to know about it? Okay. >> It's a tough book to read.

>> Yeah. >> The South City Crisis, the mania bubble, and yes, >> railroad fever in the 1800s. [laughter]. >> An album that you're into right now that. you've been listening to. >> Uh, old or new. >> I'm rocking to some cocktail jazz. >> because I want to try to learn how to. play it. But when I'm alone, blues. Like. a John Lee Hooker Howling Wolf Blues. >> Okay. Uh fun movie you've seen recently. or like a or a comfort movie like one. that's on that if you see it, you're. just like I want to watch it.

>> Just watch Lauren Michaels documentary. >> Oh yeah. >> Loved it. >> Loved it. >> Like reminds me a lot of what we do. And. man, when I walked the hallowed halls of. Saturday Night Live, like as a single. serving guest. >> Mhm. The amount of respect I have for. everyone. >> and then him. >> seeing seeing that it was awesome. >> It was awesome. >> John, the thing about wrestling, >> you you know you've made it when. everyone has an impression of you. >> Totally.

>> He is what a what a amazing person. >> When I was wrestling in Canada, um okay, are you are you watching anything fun? >> We just got through four seasons. This. is going to be taped, but we're taping. it on Will Forte's birthday. Happy. birthday, Will. >> Happy birthday, Will. Happy birthday in. hell, Will. [laughter]. >> That's Tina Faze. >> Tina's the Four Seasons. Great second. season. >> So, we just got through the second. season of that. Fantastic. And uh that. Yeah. So, that's that. >> And then, um you're in the new movie. Little Brother with Eric Andre.

Congratulations on that. And what was it. like working on that and the experience. of working? >> Eric is an eccentric physical comedian. [laughter] He is awesome. I got to say, I've always been impressed by what he. can do. >> Yeah. >> Um give give someone the chance to to. show what they can do and you set. yourself up to be surprised. He crushed. >> Yeah. >> Uh not only I I read the script and it. came from him and I'm like, "Dude, this. is your vehicle. I will gladly do this. cuz you're going to shine.". >> There's also parts in there that are.

really heartfelt. >> Uhhuh. >> And he crushed those as well. >> Yeah. >> And like what a moment. I think it's. going to be a great movie. It's going to. be a great movie for people who see it. on Netflix. I'm very happy to be a part. of it. I got to do a comedy. >> Yeah. >> Where, you know, with comedies, you're. like laughing all the time. >> Well, this is my last question, which is. like what I know you love to laugh and. you love comedy. What do you What's. making you laugh right now like what? >> It could be anything. >> Yeah. Like is there a video, a scene. from a What's something that you like? >> No, you never know. I think Okay, X. makes me laugh.

>> Yeah. >> I rule out everything else. A lot of it. is me. Like the joke's on me. >> Uhhuh. Right. being self like yeah. >> allowing yourself to be a soundboard for. humor not only like eases the tension. you never know what it can lead to. >> right. >> a lot of it is like the big bullseye in. the fuchsia pinstripe. >> right. >> so if you open that door it's kind of. cool and then that gets like you don't. want to be too crazy cuz sometimes ball. busting can be bullying and you always. want to you know cool cool that tea.

kettle. >> but a little bit of teasing is like. language. >> the door that like hey. >> look at look at me I'm such an Yeah. >> And then like, "Hey, let's talk.". >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. You know, >> see, you're trying to get connection. there. You're back to connection. >> Laughter helps connection, doesn't it? If we're laughing about something, we're. talking about something. >> So true. >> That's why folks are going to love. little brother. They're going to laugh. and they're going to wake up the next. morning and be like, "What's your. favorite part?". >> Yeah. Yeah. Awesome. Well, Cena, I love. a good hang. >> It's such a good hang. I love seeing. you. You're so fun to talk to and fun to.

work with and um such a considerate, nice person. Thanks for doing this, pod. Thanks for the kind words. I probably. will never wear a tie again for anybody, but you never. >> Oh my god. Thanks. >> We literally just ran out and got it. across the street. >> You look great. >> Thanks. >> And you just put this together. Like a. lot of those just put together looks are. really trying hard. >> Well, I realized halfway through I was. like, he's going to show up in a suit. I'm like, we got And we were like, we. got to get our [ __ ] together. We got. [laughter]. >> Let's go.

paper. that matches. It looks great. Thank you. I appreciate. >> it. Thank you so much for doing it. >> Thank you. >> Y. >> Thank you so much, John Cena. It was so. fun having you here and I can't wait to. take this tie off and get regular. sticking it to the man. But um no, I it. was so fun talking to you and um such a. pleasure always to hear your uh. perspective and POV and for this Polar. Plunge as we wrap up um you know we.

talked John and I talked a lot about. comedies '8s comedies those like big. dumb funny things that we grew up on. And speaking of Big, Dumb, and Funny, um. I just want to remind everybody that Wet. Hot American Summer, a film I did 25. years ago, is celebrating its 25th year. And there's going to be a million. different ways to go back and watch what. is really genuinely a funny, dumb movie. with a lot of cast members who are at at.

the beginning of their careers. Um uh so. check that out if you can and um check. out John Cena's new movie uh Little. Brother and continue to support the arts. and wrestling because if we learned one. thing they are the same thing. Goodbye. You've been listening to Good Hang. The. executive producers for this show are. Bill Simmons, Jenna Weiss Berman, and me. Amy Polar. [music] The show is produced. by The Ringer and Paperkite. For the. Ringer, production by Jack Wilson, Cat.

Spelain, Kaia McMullen, and Aia [music]. Xanerys. For Paperkite, production by. Sam Green, Joel Levelvel, and Jenna. Weiss Berman. Original music by Amy. Miles. I could [music and singing] hate.