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The John Cena Experience review (DVD) ★★★

Review by Adam Stephen Kelly
UK Certification 15 | UK RRP £29.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 435 minutes


The title may be a little too overambitious for the content of this release, but The John Cena Experience is a candid look at the life of the multi-time World Champion from the end of 2009 through July 2010, as he travels the length and breadth of the United States – as well as overseas – performing all the duties that come with being a top WWE Superstar.

From heading to Iraq for Tribute to the Troops, shooting scenes for Psych and Legendary, the TV show and movie respectively, to preparing for WrestleMania 26 and meeting and greeting children with life-threatening illnesses at a number of Make-a-Wish Foundation events, the cameras get closer to Cena outside of the ring than they ever have before over the course of the two-hour documentary.

It's an insightful look at the man behind the mask, so to speak, yet he doesn't seem that far removed from his television character. Judge that how you will, but the real John Cena seems like a genuine and decent guy. He certainly has time for his fans and that's always to be commended for an international star who gets as much attention in the streets as he does. You could create a drinking game based on how many autographs he signs from the beginning of the documentary to the end. But, let's put it this way: it would probably end fatally.

Although it is one of the most unique DVDs the WWE has ever put out, The John Cena Experience is one purely for the CeNation. It is interesting, despite the abrupt ending, but at the same time some of what he gets up to just isn't that captivating to a person who isn't that much of a fan of his. Nevertheless, I think it'd especially be worth a watch for the anti-Cena mob so that they could see not only just how much work he does, but the lengths he goes to for making the dreams of disadvantaged kids come true. After all, he has granted more wishes than anyone else in the history of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and if they can't respect him for that, even if they don't like him, then there must be something not quite right with them.

The main feature is supplemented with four-and-a-half hours of the following full-length matches over the second and third discs:

No Mercy '04 – United States Championship: John Cena vs. Booker T
No Way Out '05 – WWE Championship #1 Contendership: John Cena vs. Kurt Angle
Taboo Tuesday '05 – WWE Championship Triple Threat Match: John Cena vs. Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Michaels
Royal Rumble '06 – WWE Championship: Edge vs. John Cena
Tribute to the Troops '06 – John Cena vs. Edge
RAW – World Tag Team Championship: John Cena & Shawn Michaels vs. Rated RKO
One Night Stand '07 – WWE Championship Falls Count Anywhere Match: John Cena vs. The Great Khali
Great American Bash '07 – WWE Championship: John Cena vs. Bobby Lashley
SummerSlam '07 – WWE Championship: John Cena vs. Randy Orton
Night of Champions '08 – WWE Championship: John Cena vs. Triple H
RAW: John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels
RAW: John Cena vs. Jack Swagger
Judgment Day '09: John Cena vs. The Big Show
RAW – Night of Champions Tournament Semi-Final Match: John Cena vs. The Miz
Survivor Series '09 – WWE Championship Triple Threat Match: John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels vs. Triple H

EXTRAS None.

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