Rob Van Dam explains what set John Cena apart from other WWE stars
Rob Van Dam believes John Cena’s “amazing” work ethic is one thing that set him apart from other WWE stars.
While appearing on the Toronto Sun’s No Holds Barred podcast, Van Dam opened up about the respect he has for Cena. The WWE schedule was grueling for everyone back when they worked together, but Cena took on additional responsibilities that gave him even less time off. Van Dam credited Cena for being both the face of the company and the hardest worker in the entire promotion.
“The more I watched and looked at him, the more I realized this guy is the hardest worker in the company,” Van Dam said. “It’s one thing to be able to kind of picture yourself in a better position and say, ‘Man, I wish I was making the money this guy was.’ But when you think about it, he works every day. You know? He was. I was working almost every day it felt like, and I was getting some days of sleep, but it wasn’t enough. And this guy was going and doing Make-A-Wish meetings on those days off. Just being the face of the company, he was always the guy they were pushing forward to do everything to promote the company. And that is goals for wrestlers, to get up to that point. But, honestly, not everyone could do it. The guy’s work ethic is amazing.”
Cena wrapped up his in-ring career by losing to Gunther at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13. Van Dam was among the former WWE stars who attended the show. The ECW legend was the opponent for one of Cena’s most memorable matches, with the two facing off at One Night Stand 2006 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
Another Cena vs. Van Dam match could have potentially happened during Cena’s retirement tour this year, but Van Dam suffered two broken heels that forced him out of action. He has now recovered from the injury and has an indie match in Australia coming up in February 2026.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.