John Cena Admits to Past Road Rage, Now Emphasizes Patience
The 'Matchbox' star revealed his driving habits and how he's changed his approach to traffic stress.
John Cena, star of the new Apple+ movie "Matchbox," has confessed to a past history of aggressive driving, admitting he used to "yell at folks" on the road. However, the former wrestler has since adopted a more patient and empathetic approach to driving, especially during traffic.
"Now, I try to lean into patience, and empathy and being in the moment," Cena told Page Six at the film's New York premiere. "This is just what happens. And it’s actually helped me quite a bit in dealing with the stress of life. So I do yell a lot."
Despite his past outbursts, Cena describes himself as a "confident driver." He acknowledged that others might perceive his driving differently, but stated, "I feel I’m confident behind the wheel."
Cena, 49, noted that his car doesn't feature the typical "fuzzy dice" hanging from the rearview mirror, though he does keep a fuzzy keychain—a gift from his wife, Shay Shariatzadeh—for the Honda Civic he owns.
"Matchbox: The Movie," in which Cena plays a spy and former soldier, is based on the iconic toy car brand by Mattel. The actor shared fond childhood memories of playing with Matchbox cars. As one of five brothers, he recalled their collection being "community property," often involving drafting cars from a shared bucket.
He also humorously recalled how his brothers would strategically pick his favorite car, an Oldsmobile 442, first, leading him to trade multiple cars to acquire it. Cena expressed admiration for his mother's patience, calling her an "amazing human being."