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WWE Takes CNN to the Mat

It's a case of "he said -- but you didn't get to hear it."


Quizzed by CNN about whether he has ever used steroids, pro wrestler John Cena quickly responded, "Absolutely not!" -- then offered nearly three minutes of follow up. But when CNN made its edit to their special, "Death Grip: Inside Pro Wrestling," Cena's response was replaced with: "People conceive things because performance enhancing drugs have got the spotlight. It's a hot thing to talk about. I can't tell you that I haven't, but you'll never be able to prove that I have."

Needless to say, the folks at World Wrestling Entertainment are pissed! They've posted the original, unedited video on their official website, along with the following response:

"In a country in which the news media is highly suspect, and the quality of unbiased reporting has been thrown into the trash can, CNN has stooped to new depths. Notwithstanding the fairness, or lack therein, of CNN's recent piece entitled "Death Grip: Inside Pro Wrestling," perhaps the best example of how CNN misrepresents and unfairly presents their biased, if not illegal, point of view is the comparison of WWE's unedited video above to CNN's edited version. CNN's depiction of John Cena as it relates to steroids is not only professionally and morally wrong, but damaging to his character." Now 'dems fightin' words!

UPDATE: A rep for CNN has issued the following statement: "CNN has reviewed the footage of Mr. Cena and additional video from that interview has been added to the program which aired in replays of the program on Sunday."

Tags: John Cena, JohnCena

Reader Comments

(Page 4 of 7) Previous 15 Comments | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

46. john cena is hottie WATCH THE MARINE.

Posted at 7:34PM on Nov 12th 2007 by writer

47. God, that is a good looking man. Makes you just want to jump on him and give it to him all night longggggggggggggggg. Wow! Whoever marries him is one lucky gal. If I were his wife he would have to give up wrestling because he would only be in the bedroom or another part of the house constantly. =) Watch before they were superstars.. it show is butt in a thong.. oh my! tastey! I would love to lick him all over.

Posted at 7:34PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Nicole

48. While it was wrong for CNN to skew the facts in regards to Cena's interview, let's face some other facts - Vince McMahon and WWE are well-aware that a great majority of their performers take steriods and/or performance enhancing drugs. It's just recently that they decided to start posting the names of wrestlers who have violated their policies because since Chris Benoit's death, they have been under the microscope with regards to the steroid / illegal substance issue.

Vince McMahon is about as disgusting an animal as you can get and he does not care about the effects that drug use and painful schedules have on his performers. It's all about money to him - he's sick.

Speaking of sick - the media isn't much better. It's all controlled by the government and we hear what they want us to hear.

America - Land of the free, home of the ignorant (but not by choice).

Posted at 7:38PM on Nov 12th 2007 by CM

49. 25, Meredith,

Did you watch the video?

If you had, you would have heard the line in context and it would have made much more sense. He is saying that no matter what he says, how many tests he passes, etc. people still accuse him of it anyway (as they are here). You are buying into what CNN wants you to. Please listen to the unedited version.

Posted at 7:40PM on Nov 12th 2007 by P

50. This is so typical of CNN. Anyone know who the reporter was?
I'm glad they have finally been caught on something.

Trisha

Posted at 9:29PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Trisha

51. You don't understand TMZ's point? The point is, idiot, CNN claims to be a NEWS service, meaning they report FACTS. Editing a video so that it SEEMS to support your personal views is not NEWS. Once upon a time, that was considered libel. Now, I guess CNN calls it journalism.

Posted at 9:04PM on Nov 12th 2007 by ICanRead

52. I'm a Cena fan, I support ya,two thumbs up ,if he passed test so what.Let it go it can't be proved if he did or did not. Without proof. you have no case

Posted at 9:42PM on Nov 12th 2007 by tetoria

53. GEEE...CNN editing audio and video in bizarre ways to make a story where there ISN'T one--who would have thought. Yeah, from the lines of the "quality" news work who has been making a habit of this lately...I wish someone big would launch a huge lawsuit and really play them out publically for the news they make up.

Posted at 10:28PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Derek

54. ------------------
Post 18 said:
John Cena was actually BIGGER when he was wrestling in UCW in California and Ohio Valley, Cena is not abnormally big, but he is ridiculously legit strong, Anyone who can lift 500 lb wrestlers up, hold them up for a period of time, then send them flying with his finisher the F-U. Cena's name has never come up ever in talks about steroids or any performance enhancers, and it is possible he got his size legitimately. Cena has been training for wrestling since he was a teenager, so I'll take his word at face value that he is clean
-----------------

While this doesnt have anything really to do with this news story, nor does it take away Cena's "Legit Strength"... I was an Amateur wrestler in college.. plus I have a family member that is a firefighter.. and I've known for a long time that the Fireman's carry is the easiest way to carry/hold someone up (In a rescue situation) And that is basically what cena's move is.. a fireman's carry into a slam.. here is what wiki says about this hold...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireman's_carry

Posted at 10:57PM on Nov 12th 2007 by Josh

55. It doesn't matter if he said absolutely not or hell yeah I take steroids...just take a look at how the guy is built and the whole interview of what he said: "I can't tell you that I haven't, but you'll never be able to prove that I have." The man is on the juice and using masking agents...he can't wrestle and he shouldn't of been in the WWE's top spot for that long! I'm Glad Cena Got Hurt! The shows have been so much better without him! I hope he stays gone for a long time!

-The FACtion

Posted at 4:29AM on Nov 14th 2007 by The FACtion

56. Ted Turner - CNN's founder, created the now defunct WCW wrestling. Does anyone know if he's the money behind the relatively new TNA wrestling?

CNN has always attacked the WWE because Turner couldn't crush it with his wrestling league, no matter how much money he poured into it.

Posted at 7:29AM on Nov 13th 2007 by Susan

57. This is no different than how CNN and other media lie about what Rush Limbaugh and other conservitives say. Or even CHristians. They cover up for liars like Hillary CLinton & AL Gore (Who has made at least $100 Million off this Global Warming BS) and make up other crap for what they call real news. If you want the true news don't watch CNN,CBS,NBC,ABC, etc.. otr read Time, Newsweek, Etc.. They will tell you what they want you to hear to support their cause.

Posted at 8:15AM on Nov 14th 2007 by stevei

58. Penny,

You'd better hope Cena's telling the truth. You know 10 wrestlers were recently suspended from the WWE because of violations of their steroid policy, right? Maybe Cena wasn't on the list, but every WWE and pro wrestling fan in general (including myself) needs to understand that looks are just as much a part of the wrestling world as performance. And we all know clearly the long-term consequences of steroid and performance-enhancing drug use.

This isn't the first time the WWE put out a statement basically "defending" itself and its wrestlers against media scrutiny. Truth is a lasting defense. However, if Cena is lying, then it'll be him and the WWE who will look most foolish.

Remember...Marion Jones said for YEARS that she never did steroids or any performance-enhancing drugs. She recently admitted she lied. What's to say Cena won't do the same years from now when he's not as popular as he is now?

Posted at 8:11AM on Nov 13th 2007 by Harlin

59. You do not get that big WITHOUT steroids...PERIOD. If for one second you think he has not used them...you are a fool. Its impossible for the human body to get like that without the help of Drugs. END OF STORY. I used to watch wrestling and still do occasionally and its sad to see some of those guys. Who watched Ray Mysterio years ago...and look at him now. UNREAL

Posted at 10:04AM on Nov 13th 2007 by Jack

60. I'm sure this is a shock to a lot of sheep out there that believe everything the news tells them, but 90 percent of their investigative reporting is skewed to not only a liberal view, but for sensationalism.

Posted at 8:45AM on Nov 14th 2007 by ybordinary

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