Was Cena taken out of context again?
Some readers who have listened to the audio of John Cena’s interview with The Sun (U.K.) have commented to me that Cena’s statements about The Rock were not nearly as harsh as they seemed in print. One reader also expressed disappointment in me for not listening to the interview before I reacted to the story.
I just finished listening to the interview, and I do agree that Cena’s comments were not nearly as vitriolic as they appeared. In hindsight, I wish I would have listened to the interview instead of just relying on the printed story. Considering the British tabloid’s reputation for sensationalism, I should have known better. I also should have learned from the incident that occurred last November, when CNN took Cena’s quotes about steroid use out of context.
There are similarities in how The Sun (U.K.) and CNN presented Cena’s quotes, although I think CNN’s actions were more egregious. When CNN asked Cena if he had ever used steroids, the network aired an ambiguous sound bite from Cena that came across like a veiled admission. What CNN failed to do was air Cena’s initial response to the question, which was, “Absolutely not.” CNN completely misrepresented his answer.
The Sun (U.K.) also left out some key elements of Cena’s quotes about The Rock disassociating himself from wrestling. Not only that, but the paper published a story based on one small portion of a 30-minute interview and slapped a sensationalistic headline on it. The headline was “Cena: The Rock p***es me off.” The intro under the headline said: “WWE superstar John Cena has blasted ex-WWE champion The Rock for turning his back on the business.”
Cena’s quotes in the article, which I published yesterday, were mostly accurate, and he did indeed criticize The Rock. But, once again, segments of his statements were left out – segments that would have softened his comments.
Here are some of Cena’s thoughts on The Rock that were on the audio interview, but were conveniently left out of the story:
“He’s genuinely a nice guy. I’ve met him. And a fantastic human being.
“Like I said, he is a great guy. But I think we all know now that he wants to be an actor. And there’s nothing wrong with that, because he’s truly found another passion. He’s good at acting. His films make money.”
Cena also was quoted in the story as saying, “At one point Rock loved wrestling and wanted to do this all his life. So explain to me why he can’t come back.” The Sun (U.K.) ended the quote there, but what Cena actually said was: “So explain to me why he can’t come back for our 15th anniversary show or why he can’t make an appearance at WrestleMania. I wish he’d just show up, say hi and leave. Do the eyebrow once and get out of town.”
The harshest thing Cena said was: “Just don't [expletive] me around and tell me that you love this. That's the only thing that gets me really [ticked] off. Our fan base have so much admiration for him, he's got to respect that. He doesn't give anything back.”
It should be noted, however, that Cena said this in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, so categorizing what he said as “blasting” The Rock was quite a stretch.
I still think Cena’s criticism of The Rock is off base, but he certainly is entitled to his opinion. After being taken out of context for the second time in three months, however, I wouldn’t blame Cena if he decided to start keeping his opinions to himself from now on.
As far as this incident is concerned, I regret if I exacerbated it.
• John Cena’s interview with The Sun (U.K.)
• Audio of the interview
Comments
In Kev's defense , were not talking about world peace , or the economy , were talking about a pro wrestling / entertainment issue . If Kevin printed something without first listening to interview and only reporting on printed version , it's not a crime . He's posting this stuff for our pleasure . I still have to agree with Kevin in that Cena's comments regarding the "Rock" were off-base . Only proving that Cena has along way to go to be able to walk the same path as the Rock.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I appreciate your comments. And I agree -- it's not like we're discussing world affairs here. In a wrestling context, I think the Cena-Rock story being sensationalized is far less important than CNN misleading viewers on Cena's comments about steroids in a "news" piece. With all that being said, I still should have listened to the audio interview.
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 28, 2008 10:27 AM
If you are John Cena, why do you even make these comments at all? Knowing how they would be taken? The Rock is perhaps the most beloved wrestler ever, you just don't say things about him like that if you are Cena.
Posted by: BHC | February 28, 2008 10:43 AM
What do you think are the chances Rock does a run in during Mania, just for a quick moment on the mic, and maybe a People's Elbow to Vince for old times sake?
Can you imagine how loud that pop would be?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I think WWE will try to do everything in their power to convince Rock to make a cameo at Mania.
Posted by: John | February 28, 2008 12:12 PM
Kevin , you need not defend yourself nor apologize . (as long as we can still refer to you as Kevin McMahon Jr.)
Posted by: jack in hebron | February 28, 2008 1:47 PM
I could care less if the rock made an appearance. He hasn't wrestled in years so to me, he's an actor. It would be like Bruce Willis or someone like that making a cameo.
Posted by: mr. bronson | February 28, 2008 2:58 PM
I applaud Kevin for not like most journalist just putting out there view and hidding, kevin has shown a great quality here in being able to evaluate his own work and adjust were according, big props to Kevin, i do agree that just reading the sun comments make it seem harsh and i suppose Kevins initial report was fair but i do applaud Kevin for unlike many other fans for actually listening to the interview and seeing the comments in a broader perspective. Good job Kevin and keep up the great reports i read your work avidly.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I appreciate the kind words.
Posted by: Nick | February 28, 2008 3:37 PM
Mr Bronson, you must be kidding! Not about your opinion - although "I could care less..." is the opposite of what you mean - but comparing a Bruce Willis appearance to a Rock appearance at a wrestling event? Come ON!
Posted by: Marko50 | February 28, 2008 8:30 PM
I think those sayings were true john cenas hott
Posted by: Holly | February 28, 2008 8:34 PM
I just don't see how you can see the comments as off base. The Rock clearly doesn't want to be associated with wrestling or it's fans. I think it's sad he won't give back to those who put him where he is. I am not a big Cena fan but he is at least a straight shooter.
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I think Cena is off base when he says The Rock doesn't love wrestling. Just because he no longer comes back for cameos doesn't mean that he doesn't love the business or the appreciate the fans. The Rock has always acknowledged that he wouldn't be where he is without wrestling. The fact is that Rock has moved on to bigger and better things.
He is basically going from one movie shoot to the next. And when his movies are released, he makes an unbelievable amount of media appearances. He's also working with acting coaches to become better at his craft. I can't fault him for wanting to spend what little free time he has with his young daughter instead of with John Cena and Triple H.
Posted by: Steve C | February 28, 2008 9:41 PM
to mark50
Well seriously, the rock was great during his time but he'll never wrestle again and its just disappointing.
Posted by: mr. bronson | February 29, 2008 12:21 AM
"He is a genuinely nice guy and a fantastic human being."
That comment was in the version of the story I read. I quoted it on a forum, went back and checked my post and that line was not left out of the story I read on the Sun's website. It seems to have since been removed. I'm from Britain and I know how appallingly over-the-top the Sun can be. I believe they should quote fully and clearly but I don't believe Cena was taken out of context initially: the crux of his point was that Rock, in Cena's opinion, doesn't give anything back. "Blast" is needless hyperbole but Cena's point remains. I hope he was working but, if not, he should be corrected because he's so wrong about Rock, who gave everything to wrestling for years.
Anyway, Cena wasn't so poorly treated initially but liberties were taken by the journalists and that seems to have worsened with the apparent removal of a quote that more balanced Cena's view point. I would have some sympathy with Cena but he MUST chose his words more carefully. The more times he's seemingly taken out-of-context, the less sympathy I will have. The Sun should correct the story with the quote at the top of this comment and Cena, as I said, needs to be much more careful.
Thanks,
Rob.
Posted by: Robert Gomm | February 29, 2008 7:55 AM
I mean, who really cares? Cena's a goof who has a fraction of the talent that the Rock had. Let him run off at the mouth and try to gin up controversy. Controversy creates cash.
Maybe down the line, the WWE will pony up the dough to get the Rock to pull a Mayweather and it will be bigger than sliced bread. Right now, I respect the fact that the Rock is trying to distance himself from wrestling. If he is constantly seen as "The Rock" and not Dwayne Johnson, it's going to be difficult for him to stay tethered in Hollywood. While he needs that tough guy image, I think it behooves him to distance himself at least somewhat from being a "rassler" and being considered an actor.
Of course...all these wrestlers make terrible actors. Unless you are Terry Funk and the movie is Road House.
Posted by: JTK | February 29, 2008 1:30 PM
Hi Kevin,
As the author of the piece (and a fan of your column) I would strongly disagree.
As mentioned here the line "He is a genuinely nice guy and a fantastic human being" was in my original article as quotes in this week's Wrestling Observer and other places.
The only other quotes I left out (like doing the eyebrow) make no difference to the context of what he said - but I have asked the editor to add them.
I would also argue that telling someone "don't f*** me around" and using that expletive is certainly a blast.
What's more the idea of the article was to direct people to download and here the audio. It wasn't supposed to be a complete transcript of 30 minutes - but a taster of what you could hear.
We do that with every single of our WrestleCasts.
To compare us to CNN is plain wrong as the whole point was we were runnign the whole audio.
What's more in the article we also print Cena's quotes on being booed, steroids etc
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: I understand the concept of a "teaser" -- drawing people in with a "sexy" headline and story to get them to download the audio. But taking two minutes out of a 30-minute interview -- the two minutes that are the most controversial -- and basing the story and headline on it intentionally misleads the reader. It's the reason public figures are distrustful of the media. Cena does use an expletive, but like I said, he did it in a very matter of fact tone, not in an angry or threatening way. One question: Why was the "genuine nice guy" line in your original story and then removed?
Posted by: Simon Rothstein | March 2, 2008 3:24 PM
I believe that The Rock has done more than his fair share of giving to the WWE and the fans, so much to where look at where his life is now...unfortunately he is no longer married to Dany Garcia. From the way he spoke of her in his #1 Best Seller; "The Rock Says", I figured it would be until death do they part. I'm not blaming the fanbase at all for his divorce because I'm one of the Rock's BIGGEST fans, I'm just saying the Rock has chiseled his name into the legendary level of superstars and sacrificed so much in his life that there really isn't much left that he needed to prove in WWE. He was the man holding the most WWE championships until Triple H surpassed him later on. From all of the drama that's encircling WWE, why would you want to subject yourself to a bad name? WWE is in scalding hot water right now in more ways than one. Practically everyone is getting blamed for steroid usage, drugs, and a plethora of other status demeaning activities, and the Rock doesn't need that. I agree that the public classifies wrestler-actors as jokes, and if the Rock's aspirations are to win something more prestigious than a Kids Choice Award, then he will have to shed his sports-entertainment skin and start stepping into different spotlights. The Rock is doing outstanding with his acting career. When I look back at the last few years that Rock was an active wrestler, the fans stabbed him in the back on too many occassions just for going to do movies, but the Rock always came back. They never did so to Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, or even Triple H. It seemed like everyone faulted the Rock for bettering his life, but yet Steve Austin was beating his ex-wife, walking out of the company, and yet he was still welcomed back with open arms. Someone tell me how The Rock is not giving back to the fans? He came back in '03, and made an appearance on RAW in '07 right before Wrestlemania 23. John Cena makes me sick, he feels just because he's been exalted as the WWE's new man on top, that he has the right to even speak about the Rock in a criticizing manner. That's like CM Punk telling Ric Flair that he isn't cutting promos the same way he did in his prime, so therefore he is cheating the fans. John Cena needs to learn his order and understand that he has a long ladder to climb before he can even see eye to eye with the Great One. Furthermore Cena, as the Rock would say, "Know your Role, and Shut your Mouth!"
Posted by: Sharpsh00t | March 8, 2008 5:12 AM