This Super Bowl, you can see John Cena. But to this WrestleMania, you will not.
The last step in Cena’s career is played in a Mountain Dew commercial that will be broadcast on Sunday in the first half of the Super Bowl. The spot promotes Mountain Dew’s newest fragrance, Major Melon, as well as its new contest, which will reward the first person to correctly publish the exact number of Mountain Dew Major Melon bottles in commercials with a $ 1 million prize.
“A Super Bowl commercial for me is a life-changing opportunity and it will also change someone’s life,” says Cena. “Mountain Dew Major Melon is really changing the perspective of advertising with this campaign and I’m really honored to be a part of it. It is a particularly wonderful fragrance, the first new permanent Mountain Dew fragrance in the last ten years and is a brand that represents passion.
“I admire Mountain Dew’s investment in areas of passion, and they are growing. This is a mirror image of what I try to do with my life – I invest in passion and go to sea. ”
Appearing as a leader in a Super Bowl commercial is a major achievement for Cena. The WWE icon continues to expand his portfolio away from the realm of professional wrestling, but that also means he is less likely to return to the WWE. And this year, for the first time since WrestleMania 19 In 2003, it appears that Cena will not be part of the WWE show.
Dinner debuted at the event at WrestleMania XX in 2004 at Madison Square Garden. There were times when he didn’t fight – like. WrestleMania 32 and 35– However, he appeared. But the combination of his filming schedule and COVID-19 restrictions seem ready to end Cena’s series. WrestleMania appearances.
“I’m currently filming in Vancouver Peace-maker, the series for HBO Max “, says Cena. “Given the quarantine regulations, if I were to leave Canada, I would have to quarantine two more weeks on my return. In essence, it would shut down production. Strictly based on the letter of the law right now, there is no logistical way to be there. We’re filming now until July. ”
Although it’s hard to imagine one WrestleMania without Cena, it could allow a brighter spotlight on WWE full-time stars. And while Cena explained her future absence at WrestleMania 37, laughed at the idea that he is now among that part-time WWE talent group returning for the biggest event of the year.
“What a hypocritical situation,” Cena says with a laugh. “I used to be very open about the fact that part-time was just that, and here I am at 44 and I have become what I despise, as they say. It’s something like that. ”
Although the card is always subject to change, Cena’s return to WrestleMania it looks like it will be in 2022 in Texas or next year in Southern California. Despite missing this year’s show, he’s incredibly excited to show off his work. Peace-maker.
“It’s a wonderful episodic show and it’s an amazing opportunity,” he says. “It’s a challenge I wanted and I’m starting to work with wonderful people. James Gunn writes and directs, which is amazing and something I couldn’t let go of.
“It’s very difficult to say, because I know it will be disappointing for many people, but according to the letter of regulation right now, there is no mathematical way in which I can be WrestleMania this year.”
Both take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, there is connective tissue between this year WrestleMania and the Super Bowl pitting the buccaneers against the defending champions. The dinner was marveled at the prolonged success of Bucs defender Tom Brady, who will set a record for the tenth start below center in the Super Bowl this Sunday.
“Achieving top professional success, even for a moment, is impressive,” says Cena. “But this is a long-term success over time and under tension. Think about all the practice, the boring things, the “I don’t want” things. This is the mysticism that surrounds all those who have been constantly great for a long time. It’s inspiring to see Tom Brady’s work ethic. ”
Viewers will have the rare opportunity to see both Cena and Brady during Sunday’s Super Bowl show, although Cena’s time on screen will be much shorter. He is eager to see people interacting with the campaign and send his tweets for a chance to win $ 1 million.
“If you don’t post, you can’t win,” says Cena. “But if you count the bottles of Mountain Dew Major Melon and post, you can win. That puts you in the game. So if you want to be a little more meticulous while watching the Super Bowl, watch the Mountain Dew Major Melon commercial and count the bottles in the commercial and tag the Mountain Dew Twitter handle.
“You will probably post anyway, so you could risk it too. This is a chance to take risks on you. And you never know, you might make a million bucks. ”
Justin Barrasso can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.