John Cena: WWE and Hollywood star spotted by fans around Perth ahead of highly anticipated Saturday showdown

Perth was gripped by John Cena fever on Saturday after the WWE megastar landed in town and made an unexpected stop at a suburban 7-Eleven.

The 17-time world champion and star of Hollywood movies was due to hit the ring in front of adoring fans at RAC Arena on Saturday night, but plenty of people were hoping to catch a glimpse of him before that.

Anticipation is high as the clock is ticking as the 48-year-old is on the tail-end of his year-long retirement tour — Perth is the last place outside of the US where he will compete. Opportunities are rare and precious.

Some fans went to the airport. Some hung out near his hotel. Some were in the city. But nobody expected to see him at the 7-Eleven on Great Eastern Highway in Ascot.

One of his catchphrases is “You can’t see me” — and most people thought they’d only be seeing him on TV. WWE stars are required to be at stadiums for a large portion of the day to prepare for their matches.

Having been spotted arriving in Sydney on Friday and missing the first night of WWE’s three-event run in WA, the star landed in Perth on Saturday morning.

A crowd of fans gathered outside the Westin hotel in Perth, anxiously awaiting the arrival of legend John Cena, but to their disappointment they did not see him.

Alise Wilton, 21, was among the many fans waiting outside the hotel.

“Growing up watching him and seeing his career flourish has been really cool, seeing him move from wrestling to movies and TV, and then now, making a comeback to wrestling,” she said.

“Being his last time tour, it’s really exciting for it to be in Perth as well, and to see it with my own eyes.”

Meanwhile at Northbridge Brewing Company’s special fan event for the WWE weekend, spirits were high and music was pumping as a sea of yellow flooded the venue courtesy of tonnes of fans wearing commemorative John Cena shirts.

It was the place to be, featuring a “ring ready” barbershop, punching bag, mini golf, American football and a huge TV screen with bean bags.

Fans Eddie Gaytan and partner Adriana Mendez flew all the way from Brazil to witness the monumental match and stood beers in hand, enjoying the atmosphere.

Mendez was introduced to WWE by her partner Mr Gaytan and was hooked immediately, loving the “drama” of it all.

“His charisma is just amazing, his legacy, his history, how he was when he started, and now the legend he has become,” Gaytan said.

“I don’t care if people say this (WWE) is fake or whatever, what those wrestlers do daily is just amazing.”

Nathan Wright, 30, was one of the hundreds of fans that filling the brewery.

He said he first saw wrestling in the United States when he was a seven-year-old and had travelled from Sydney to watch Cena.

“I just think it’s the energy he brings every time he comes out — the whole arena erupts and you know one person has captivated the audience,” Wright said.

Wright felt “bittersweet” about Cena’s retirement from wrestling.

“No one wants to see him go, but the same time, it’s a celebration of his 20-plus year career and I’m trying to take advantage and see him every chance I get,” he said.

Chris French, 25, went to Smackdown on Friday and was looking forward to seeing Cena perform at Crown Jewel.

“After the energy there last night, it should be a good one tonight,” French said.

He said the announcement of Cena’s retirement and final tour was a good thing and a dignified exit.

“I think it’s the right time, like everyone’s got their time, and it’s always when someone (recognises) it, than they get cut out and pushed away.”

Cena is making limited appearances during his farewell tour which will end in December. Cena will be in Boston and New York next month for episodes of WWE Raw. Then he’ll be to San Diego for WWE’s Survivor Series. And he will close out his epic career in Washington D.C. at Saturday Night’s Main Event in mid-December.

Cena is known for his generosity with fans and happily posed for photographs with the lucky people who recognised they were in the same place as a global superstar.

Cena’s match against AJ Styles on Saturday night at Crown Jewel was built purely through social media.

He posted “#CenavStyles Thoughts?” to his 14.4 million followers on X last month and was bombarded with excited responses.

That prompted him to then write: “I do not choose my opponents, but I (even through tough times) ALWAYS listen to the fans. AJ Styles are you listening?

“Better yet TripleH . . . are YOU listening??? #CenaVsStyles”.

Less than four hours later, the match was announced as one of the headline acts for Crown Jewel.

WWE normally spends weeks building rivalries as part of their TV shows. But fans have been desperate to see this match, despite Cena not being seen in any broadcast since it was announced.

The match gained added significance when Styles announced that he will also retire in 2026 when speaking on stage at WWE’s kickoff event at Forrest Place on Friday afternoon. Styles made his name in rival company TNA as Cena was dominating WWE before changing companies nearly a decade ago, where the two competed in a series of highly-regarded matches.

Styles said the pair’s history made Saturday night’s match so special. “I don’t know how and I don’t know why — because John Cena and I are nothing alike in any kind of way — but when we get in a ring, it’s magic,” he said.

The Crown Jewel card also features Adelaide-born stars Bronson Reed and Rhea Ripley.