WWE’s John Cena, a familiar showstopper in UAE, ready to thrill Abu Dhabi crowd

WWE wrestler John Cena speaks to Graham Caygill about his upcoming performances this weekend in the capital at Zayed Sports City.

John Cena will perform all three nights at WWE Live in Abu Dhabi. Kris Connor / Getty Images
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ABU DHABI // John Cena leaned back in his chair and allowed himself a grin when he was reminded of his most famous endeavour the last time he was in the UAE.

The 15-time WWE world champion used his finishing move, the Attitude Adjustment, on fellow wrestler Kane to put him through a table at the top of the Burj Khalifa in February 2012.

It proved to be an internet sensation, with more than 6.4 million people having viewed The National's video of the incident.

“Not only is it the highest place I have ever put anyone through a table, it is the highest anyone has ever gone through a table. I remember it vividly, it was a fantastic event.” the 37-year-old American said proudly as he appeared with fellow WWE wrestlers Seth Rollins and Dolph Ziggler at Yas Marina Circuit in a news conference to promote this weekend’s three shows at the Tennis Stadium at Zayed Sports City, with the first one tonight.

Before the news conference, the three wrestlers had driven around the Yas Marina track in sportscars, with both Cena and Ziggler taking great delight in telling the media that Rollins had been the slowest of the three men.

There had been fears that Cena’s participation in the event could be affected by an eye injury he suffered last weekend, but he insisted it would not prevent him competing this weekend.

“The WWE is being extra cautious,” he said of the injury. “A scratched cornea is basically like a scratch on the surface of your eye. I’ve had this injury multiple times.

“My vision is blurry, it did not effect my driving [around Yas Marina], I was not the one to get lapped over here.

“As always I like to show up and go and I will be ready tonight and for all three nights.”

Cena is in the main event on all three nights in Abu Dhabi. Tonight he faces Rollins in a street fight, tomorrow night he tags with Dean Ambrose against Rusev and Luke Harper, before on Saturday he wrestles for the Intercontinental title against Bad News Barrett.

Tickets are still available at www.ticketmaster.ae for all three nights and for more information visit www.wwe.com/AbuDhabi

gcaygill@thenational.ae

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