John Cena's Iconic Super Mario Shirt: The Story Behind An All-Time Great Wrestling Tee

The Story Behind John Cena's Iconic Super Mario Shirt

One of the most iconic pieces of wrestling memorabilia is undoubtedly the Super Mario shirt sported by WWE superstar John Cena. The instantly recognizable red tee featuring the 8-bit Mario jumping over a mushroom has become synonymous with some of Cena's most memorable matches and moments.

The History of the Shirt

Cena first unveiled the colorful t-shirt during a 2006 episode of ECW One Night Stand. The pay-per-view featured wrestlers from the original hardcore promotion squaring off against new talent from WWE's revamped ECW brand. As the self-proclaimed "Doctor of Thuganomics," Cena's brash personality rubbed many long-time ECW fans the wrong way.

So when Cena confidently strolled to the ring repping a playful Mario shirt, he was met with a chorus of boos and "Cena Sucks" chants. Rather than back down, Cena leaned into the hostile reaction and put on an absolute clinic against Rob Van Dam to retain the WWE Championship.

The Shirt's Unexpected Popularity

While the shirt started as a casual nod to Cena's love of video games, fan reactions quickly propelled it to icon status. The bold colors and graphics stood out from the typical wrestling tee. Cena continued wearing it for premium events like WrestleMania and SummerSlam as his fame grew exponentially.

Soon the tee was flying off WWE's shelves in record numbers. It became one of the company's highest selling signature shirts for Cena. Over 15 years later, fans still clamor for limited-edition releases and retro prints of the instantly recognizable design.

The Shirt Transcends Wrestling

As Cena cemented himself as the face of WWE, the Mario tee often accompanied him outside the ring. He sported it on red carpets, talk shows, and during filming movie projects. It became a key part of his personal brand that connected him back to core fans.

The shirt also earned admiration from an unlikely source - Nintendo themselves. Officials from the iconic gaming company have publicly praised Cena's passionate promotion of the Mario franchise. Cena even landed a voice cameo as a John Cena bobblehead in 2021's animated Mario movie.

Cena's Match Against RVD at ECW One Night Stand 2006

The now-legendary Mario t-shirt's debut will forever be linked ECW One Night Stand 2006. At the height of animosity between Cena and original ECW wrestlers, WWE booked him against returning favorite Rob Van Dam.

Hostile Crowd Adds Intensity

The hammerstein Ballroom was packed with hardcore ECW fans who loathed Cena and everything he represented. From the moment he walked through the curtain, the vitriol rained down with no sign of letting up.

RVD on the other hand received a conquering hero's welcome in his first WWE match in years. The atmosphere was electric as the beloved Extreme icon finally had a chance to claim WWE's ultimate prize.

Cena Embraces Villain Role

Say what you will about Cena, but the man knows how work any crowd to his advantage. Instead of being rattled by the nonstop attacks and choruses of boos, Cena reveled in his status as top heel.

He actively taunted and mocked the hostile fans between offensive flurries. At one point he even audaciously performed RVD’s signature taunt before crashing down with a devastating DDT.

Controversial Finish

As the match reached its climax, the action kicked into another gear. After multiple near pinfalls, Cena managed to hoist up RVD for for the FU (later known as the Attitude Adjustment).

With the ref unconscious, Edge appeared from the stands to blast Van Dam with his Money in the Bank briefcase. As Edge slithered away, Cena recovered to pin RVD and somehow retain in tainted victory that brought the ballroom unglued.

Why The Super Mario Shirt Matters

The OG Super Mario tee holds such enduring appeal because it encapsulates core aspects of what made Cena such an impactful superstar. As his most iconic t-shirt, it provides key insights into his persona and legacy.

Passion for Pop Culture

The vibrant Mario graphics reflected Cena's genuine love for video games and pop culture. Throughout his career, Cena peppered promos with references from games, movies, and anime.

By proudly repping his interests on WWE's biggest stages, he forged genuine connections with fans who shared similar passions.

Embraced being Polarizing

While many top stars fear ruffling feathers, Cena openly embraced his polarizing persona. He never compromised or pandered solely for cheers. Instead he confidently doubled down on brash trash talk and daring outfit choices like the Mario tee.

Love him or hate him, Cena understood the power standing out and moving the needle.

Career-Defining Resilience

No matter the odds or vitriol hurled his way, Cena persisted with grit and resilience. The chaos of ECW One Night Stand 2006 would have broken lesser stars mentally.

But Cena took blew after blow from hostile fans and RVD before bending but not breaking. The Mario shirt symbolizes the indefatigable spirit that made him WWE's franchise player.

FAQs

Where can I buy the original John Cena Super Mario shirt?

The shirt is occasionally re-released by WWE Shop in limited batches. Due to popularity, the retro tee often quickly sells out. Your best chance is to setup stock alerts on WWE Shop and strike fast once the Mario tee pops back in stock.

What makes the Super Mario shirt so iconic?

The shirt embodies core aspects of Cena's persona - his love for pop culture, embracing controversy, and persistence against all odds. The vibrant Mario design made the tee standout while also connecting with fans who shared similar interests.

Did John Cena wear the Super Mario shirt again after debuting it?

Absolutely. It instantly became one of Cena's most popular signature shirts. He sported it at premium WWE events like WrestleMania and SummerSlam while defeating top stars like Triple H and Randy Orton.

What match did John Cena first wear the Super Mario Shirt?

The infamous tee first appeared during Cena's WWE Championship defense against Rob Van Dam at ECW One Night Stand 2006. The hostile crowd detested Cena but he embraced the negativity and somehow retained in controversial fashion.