In a new weekly series by YSL News’s The Essentials, stars reveal what inspires them in their everyday lives whether at home, on movie sets, or during travels.

Known for his dynamic WWE introductions, John Cena is trying something different by literally crashing through the ceiling.

In his latest film, “Jackpot!” (available for streaming on Prime Video starting Thursday), the wrestler-turned-actor showcases his comedic talents in a thrilling role set in a futuristic Los Angeles where lottery winners must evade murder by their peers in order to claim their prize. The plot follows aspiring actress Katie Kim (played by Awkwafina) who unwittingly purchases a winning ticket, prompting Noel (Cena) to take on the role of her inexperienced bodyguard to protect her chance at the staggering $5 billion.

Cena’s character makes a dramatic entrance into the story by busting into a karate studio, a scene that “sets the tone for his character,” as he describes it. He relished the opportunity to portray someone with a strong moral compass contrasting against a selfish and deceitful backdrop.

Cena has created a memorable career filled with comedic roles in films like “Ricky Stanicky” and “Blockers” and has recently wrapped filming for the second season of the DC series “Peacemaker.” The 47-year-old entertainer is also gearing up for his farewell tour in the WWE next year. He discusses what he needs for both wrestling and acting, his favorite hip-hop artists, and his affinity for uniforms.

John Cena requires coffee, regardless of the setting

Cena emphasizes that having the drive to perform is crucial in both the wrestling ring and film sets, but he also insists, “I need coffee.” His preferred choice is a “flat white,” or a 6- to 8-ounce latte, expressing his passion for a robust coffee flavor balanced with a bit of milk.

As he embarks on a 2025 WWE farewell tour spanning 36 shows worldwide, Cena anticipates coffee will be part of the experience. He aims to kick off this tour with a live episode of “Monday Night Raw” on Netflix in January. Reflecting on his long journey since 1999, Cena acknowledges the difficulty of continuing at such a pace as he nears 48 years old. “I’ve had plenty of time to contemplate this, which is why I’m looking forward to it with such positivity,” he shares.

The 16-time WWE champ has a flair for fashion

Cena frequently showcases his style at premieres and red carpet events, typically alongside his wife Shay Shariatzadeh, often donning splendidly tailored suits. “Strangely enough, I was excited when I could make WWE my career, thinking, ‘I won’t ever need to wear a suit again,'” he reminisces. But upon starting with public events, he had a suit custom made to feel as comfy as a sweatsuit, leading to a newfound love for selecting fabrics, linings, and designs: “It’s a unique way to prepare for the day,” he emphasizes, adding that he prefers not to have a stylist. “I just want to wear what feels right for me.”

For Cena, settling into a suit or “uniformity” is essential to his comfort, a philosophy he also upholds in the ring with his signature “Superman suit” – a t-shirt, jorts, and a cap. “It never loses its excitement,” he remarks.

John Cena’s musical influences range from Nas to Jay-Z

In “Jackpot!”, Cena’s character delivers a playful rendition of “Turtle Power” while attending to his weapon, highlighting Cena’s own passion for hip-hop and influential figures such as Nas, Jay-Z, and Public Enemy.

During his time as “Doctor of Thuganomics” in WWE, he launched his own rap album titled “You Can’t See Me,” which debuted in 2005. Raised in Massachusetts, he was introduced to hip hop early in life. As he transitioned from a teenager rapping to performing in wrestling, he drew inspiration from influential artists like Nas, Rakim, Jay-Z, Eminem, Public Enemy, Slick Rick, among others.

However, don’t expect him to whip up a freestyle on command these days. Cena shares, “It’s a skill that has kind of faded away for me. I sometimes revive the character in WWE, but I couldn’t tell you how long it takes to craft eight rhymes, or even five that actually have substance. The process has become significantly harder than it once was.”

Cena’s mother-in-law makes a fantastic chicken dish

Noel jokingly claims in “Jackpot!” that he has consumed over 8,000 chickens in his life. How does that stack up to Cena’s chicken intake throughout the years? With a chuckle, Cena responds, “It’s pretty close. The fact that he has a specific number down to an exact figure—particularly a round one—might be worth a laugh. I think we could have tweaked that joke a bit more.”

Indeed, Cena has also consumed a lot of chicken, but his absolute favorite is his mother-in-law’s chicken tagine: “It’s a Persian rice and chicken recipe that I eagerly anticipate every holiday.”