Before John Cena was a WWE superstar, he was an average bodybuilder.

This video from ‘Bodybuilding’ on youtube, displays his posing from a time before the fame.

Cena began training as a college student at Springfield College in Massachusetts. Once he got his degree in exercise physiology, he took two duffel bags and $500 out to Venice, California to chase his dream. Arriving in Venice in summer of 1999, he slept out of his 1991 Lincoln Continental and trained by day at the legendary Venice Beach Gold’s Gym.

Cena got a janitorial job at the gym and began driving limousines to pay the bills.

His first bodybuilding competition was 1999 NPC Ironman Magazine Naturally contest in Los Angeles. He placed second.

Then Cena joined the local Ultimate Pro Wrestling “Ultimate University,” within a couple of years, he’d gotten his big break, signing a developmental contract with Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Federation. From there began Cena’s ascent to WWE superstardom.

Cena still trains avidly of course, although for some reason he insists that he is a lifetime natural athlete who has never ever used anabolic steroids. Cena’s physique is a good portion of his brand, and physical fitness is important for pro wrestling. For years, Cena has enjoyed overwhelming success.

In 2012 he performed against Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a main-event match at WrestleMania XXVIII . His appearance contributed to the event’s unparalleled success: with more than 1.3 million pay-per-view orders and $67 million in global sales, WrestleMania XXVIII became WWE’s top-grossing pay-per-view broadcast.

Even in this early footage, Cena’s penchant for onstage presence is clear. Still, who could have predicted that the humble striving bodybuilder would become one of the biggest wrestling superstars ever?

For the video watch below.

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