John Cena might be known to millions as a WWE icon, but his comedic breakout moment came in a way no one saw coming — in bed, on screen, with Amy Schumer.
Before Cena became a household name in Hollywood, he was mostly seen in forgettable action flicks. That all changed with a short but unforgettable appearance in the 2015 romcom Trainwreck, where he played Amy Schumer’s hilariously intense gym-obsessed hookup, Steven. The role gave Cena a fresh image — and kicked off his reputation as a surprisingly gifted comedy actor.
Now, in a new Vanity Fair video reflecting on his career, Cena is spilling behind-the-scenes details about the raunchy sex scene that fans can’t forget — and that Schumer once joked involved him being “actually inside her.”
The Scene That Shocked (and Made Everyone Laugh)
Trainwreck stars Schumer as a commitment-phobic New Yorker who prefers casual flings over serious relationships. Cena’s character is one of those flings — a musclehead who blurts out absurd dirty talk mid-romp, including the unforgettable line about “filling her with protein.” The scene is as ridiculous as it is intimate, and became one of the film’s standout moments.
Asked during the film’s press tour how she managed to keep a straight face, Schumer famously joked, “Because he was actually inside me. Who am I to stop him?” She later doubled down with a laugh, saying it was a “major regret” that she didn’t “feel his balls.”
But now Cena is setting the record straight — and revealing just how unscripted the whole thing really was.
Cena Confirms the Scene Was All Improv
In his new video interview, Cena praised both Schumer and director Judd Apatow for trusting him with the part and helping him feel at ease in such an unexpected environment.
“They took a chance on me,” Cena said, noting that it was the first time he ever felt truly comfortable performing outside the WWE ring. He said the sex scene itself wasn’t even in its final form when they first rehearsed.
“We get in the room and start reading through the lines, and then Judd being Judd — he’s like, ‘Ah, forget the script, just kind of riff,’” Cena recalled. “Amy and I just riffed, and we all know she’s so incredibly talented.”
Cena also shared that the sex scene was actually inspired by one of Schumer’s real-life experiences — with a man who was, in her words, “too athletic” in bed.
Despite being embarrassed at the time and not even telling his then-fiancée about the scene, Cena credits Schumer with making the whole thing a surprisingly positive experience. “Amy is an angel,” he said. “She made the environment so comfortable.”
Cena’s Career Since ‘Trainwreck’
That brief role in Trainwreck helped Cena break free of the typecast action-hero mold and paved the way for his roles in hits like Blockers, The Suicide Squad, and the hit series Peacemaker. His comedic timing and willingness to poke fun at himself became part of his Hollywood charm.
Now, Cena is currently on the road promoting the new season of Peacemaker, all while gearing up for his final WWE appearance at Summerslam on August 2nd and 3rd. Earlier this year, Cena confirmed he’s in the middle of his farewell year in pro wrestling, officially marking the end of an era.
As he prepares to retire from the ring, Cena’s transformation from wrestling superstar to full-blown movie star seems just about complete — and it all started with one sweaty, hilarious, and totally improvised scene in Trainwreck.