Austin Theory Says He Isn’t a John Cena Rip-Off, Talks Being Inspired By Cena Growing Up

Austin Theory grew up idolizing John Cena, but he plans to prove he isn’t just a Cena rip-off when they meet at WrestleMania 39. Theory is defending his WWE United States Championship against Cena at the PPV, and he recently spoke to TMZ about the match and more. A couple of highlights are below:

On facing Cena at the PPV: “Yeah, the whole story here is pretty wild. Being eight years old and knowing what I wanted to do for the rest of my life because of John Cena, and that is be a WWE superstar. That was the first time I [saw] wrestling, and I was inspired. I went straight to the TV, and I’d watch John Cena every single week, and he was somebody that gave me that motivation and that inspiration in the gym. And I started in the gym at a very young age at 12 to work to get myself to the WWE. And now, like you’ve said it, it’s me and John Cena at WrestleMania 39 for the United States Championship.”

On his face-to-face with Cena on Raw: “We did have a moment, we did have a face to face on Monday Night Raw. He had a lot of things to say to me. In that moment it’s very cool that I was out there with John Cena, but I’m in a different place now. Because a lot of people are saying that I’m the next John Cena, and with all the work that I put in ever since I was a kid to this day. And all the shows that I’m doing all the time, I’m away from home. I don’t want to hear that. I want to be the first Austin Theory, and I want people to see that I don’t want to be a rip-off of anybody. And at WrestleMania, I’m going to show everybody just how different Austin Theory is.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit TMZ with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.