One of the most recognizable taunts in pro wrestling history, John Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” hand wave, originated not from a creative meeting but from a simple dare issued by his younger brother.
During a recent “Do You Even Know Me?” segment alongside actor Idris Elba, Cena shared the story. After Elba incorrectly guessed the taunt was born from Cena thinking he was invisible, the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion set the record straight, revealing the challenge laid down by his brother years ago.
“It was a dare from my little brother. He said, ‘You won’t do that on TV. That’s stupid. You look stupid.’ So I did it — and here I am looking stupid every day.”
What started as a sibling joke evolved into a global phenomenon, becoming a staple of Cena’s character and a catchphrase that transcended WWE into mainstream pop culture. The taunt has followed him from countless main events to his burgeoning career in Hollywood, a constant element of his persona as he now embarks on his final in-ring chapter.
Cena is currently on his farewell tour, which is set to conclude in December 2025. As the historic 17-time world champion, his final run has been marked by a dramatic heel turn and a dominant title reign, including a recent defense against CM Punk at Night of Champions.
In a fitting coincidence that brings the story full circle, Cena is currently filming a new Netflix comedy in New Jersey co-starring Eric André. The title of the film is “Little Brother.”