John Cena Discusses What He Admires Most About CM Punk & Reflects On Their 2011 Match

John Cena was one of countless sports & entertainment superstars to appear at Fanatics Fest over the weekend. While Cena is retired from wrestling now, that just gives him more license to comment on his career and give us his perspective on things he went through over the years.

John Cena discussed a number of individuals with Undisputed’s Justin Barrasso, including one of his greatest rivals in CM Punk. The fifteenth anniversary of their classic match at Money in the Bank 2011 in Chicago took place last Friday, and Cena knows how much people appreciated it then and still do now.

On CM Punk & Their Money In The Bank 2011 Match:

“That might have been like one of two matches that wrestling critics were like, ‘Eh, he’s OK–but it wasn’t because of him, it was because of the other guy.’ I think what that shows is when you have two names that span such a long test of time, it shows the individuals’ passion for what they do. If you’re not passionate about being in wrestling, you are weeded out quick. You might get a push to the top, you might get a chance, you might get a championship. If you’re not passionate, a 10-year career, a 15-year career, a 20-year career doesn’t happen.

The fact we can talk about wrestling 15 years ago, and he’s got the championship and he’s main-eventing Madison Square Garden right now, regardless of the trajectory that Phil Brooks has been on–I wish he never took a break but that’s his personal journey and choice–his passion has obviously always been there, and it still is. And that’s the thing I admire most about him.”