While legendary wrestler John Cena's active career in the ring may be winding down, his virtual presence continues to be a focal point, especially for fellow WWE star Cody Rhodes. Rhodes, Cena, and numerous other wrestling personalities are collaborating in a significant cross-promotional event with Clash of Clans, the widely popular mobile strategy game that Rhodes has enjoyed for a decade.
The latest iteration of this partnership challenges Rhodes and the entire global Clash of Clans community to locate and conquer Cena’s in-game base. This special event, dubbed the "Search for Cena," is active until September 30.
"We've got millions of players on Clash of Clans globally, global chat being back to millions of players," Rhodes explained, referencing the massive player base. He recounted how his own journey with the game began: "when I was in a clan, that was how I got in Clash of Clans in the first place — John Cena on the road, all of us finding a game that we wanted to play and could bond over, and it was Clash."
Cena's Controversial Clan Leadership and Ouster
Rhodes revealed that Cena once led the O’Leary Klan (OLK) within Clash of Clans, initially proving to be an effective leader. However, his leadership style eventually led to his removal from the group. "He was until he wasn't -- real, real, real tyrant behavior, I would say, from the record-breaking John Cena," Rhodes remarked, highlighting the opportunity for players to now get their "receipt back" by raiding Cena’s base.
Rhodes, who was part of the OLK before Cena's departure, later co-founded the Nicky Clan, which remains active today. He elaborated on the reasons behind Cena's ouster, noting that while Cena introduced many to the game, his playstyle had significant drawbacks.
"I want to give him his due because he brings us all into the game. He certainly brings us all in. I think he was gemming a great amount — maybe too much gemming going on that not everyone wanted to do that."
Beyond excessive gem usage, Cena was also "notorious for what we'd call the 99% one-star," according to Rhodes. He likened this to attending an NFL game where only field goals are kicked, and no touchdowns are scored. "You got to get the town hall. The fact that you're getting 99% one-stars is bringing the clan down," Rhodes explained, despite acknowledging that Cena was also good at distributing high-quality troops to clan members.
John Cena's Perspective and the Rivalry's Origin
John Cena himself offered a different take on the genesis of his rivalry with Cody Rhodes, suggesting it began not in the wrestling ring, but within the virtual world of Clash of Clans.
"People think this started in the ring with Cody. It didn’t. It started when I out-raided him in the game and he threw me off his team," Cena stated in a press release. "Ten years later he still needs help. This time he’s asking millions of you to take on my base. That’s fine. As I have always said - if you want some, come get some."
WWE Stars Embrace the Virtual Battlefield
For Rhodes, being integrated into a game he has consistently played for a decade is a uniquely surreal experience, distinct from appearing in professional wrestling video games. "Probably the most pinch-yourself thing for me, and so much fun stuff happens working at WWE, so many fun moments and crossovers and things that we do, partnerships and things of this nature," he shared. He expressed particular excitement about seeing his likeness on the Clash app logo and his "Barbarian King" skin, which debuted last year and now features new shades and music.
The collaboration extends beyond Rhodes and Cena. Rhodes also highlighted the unique experience of filming a commercial for the event alongside wrestling legend Shawn Michaels, who portrays a "wise Clash player."
"Clash brings us as a group together," Rhodes noted, mentioning how the game has even captivated those less familiar with mobile gaming. "Undertaker, for example. I remember texting him right away, ‘Hey, Clash of Clans, Supercell, this amazing company,’ and he's all in on it now, and he's on board, and this is his second time as the ‘Grand Warden.’" This unexpected synergy, Rhodes believes, is what makes the collaboration so compelling.
Several other prominent WWE personalities are featured as hero characters in the game:
- Alexa Bliss as "Archer Queen"
- The Undertaker as "Grand Warden"
- Iyo Sky as "Royal Champion"
- Jey Uso as "Minion Prince"
- Kane as "Dragon Duke"
Clash of Clans boasts an impressive record, having been downloaded over 2 billion times globally and widely recognized as one of the most successful mobile games ever developed.