John Cena commanded attention on the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at Sunday’s 96th Academy Awards.
The WWE star and actor, 46, was invited by host Jimmy Kimmel, who referenced the 50th anniversary of a streaker named Robert Opel running onto the stage at the ceremony, interrupting late actor-presenter David Niven.
Kimmel summoned the actor onto the stage with the line, ‘Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today?’
‘I said, can you imagine if – a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?
Cena backstage then said: ‘Psst! Psst, Jimmy! Come here.’
Kimmel said: ‘I can’t come there – do the thing! Excuse me for a second.
What’s going on? You’re supposed to run across the stage’ as Cena said: ‘Yeah, I – changed my mind. I don’t want to do the streaker bit.’
‘I just don’t feel right about it. It’s an elegant event, you know, you should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless …’
Kimmel said: ‘You wrestle naked, why not?’ as Cena said of his trademark ring attire: ‘I don’t wrestle naked, I wrestle in jorts!’
Cena walked sideways onto the stage with the envelope for Best Costume Design covering his genitals. He said, ‘Costumes – they are so important – maybe the most important thing there is.’
He acknowledged that he was unable to open the envelope, at which point Kimmel took over.
Cena later covered up with a gold toga to present the statuette to Poor Things costume designer Holly Waddington.
