Joe Jonas revealed that performing on one of WWE’s biggest stages wasn’t the most nerve-wracking part of his WrestleMania 42 experience, but meeting John Cena backstage was.
Jonas opened Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 with a live rendition of the American national anthem in front of a massive crowd. But in a vlog shared after the event, he admitted that the pressure of performing paled in comparison to a more personal, behind-the-scenes moment.
“I was more nervous—I was more nervous to say hi to John Cena than I was to sing the national anthem,” Jonas admitted in the vlog.
Despite years of experience performing for large audiences, Jonas said he felt caught off guard when he came face-to-face with the WWE icon. He described the interaction as awkward, noting he didn’t have a smooth introduction prepared when approaching the 17-time world champion backstage.
According to Jonas, he greeted Cena with a handshake and attempted to break the ice by mentioning his sister-in-law, Priyanka Chopra, who has previously spoken highly of the wrestler.
“I literally walked up to John Cena and I said, ‘Uh, Pri speaks very highly of you…’” Jonas recalled.
Joe Jonas says he was more nervous meeting John Cena at Wrestlemania than singing the National anthem 😭 pic.twitter.com/ycQgiMju4T
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) April 21, 2026
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The moment marked a major high-profile appearance for Jonas, who delivered a confident and polished rendition of the national anthem to open Night 2 of WrestleMania 42. His performance went off without a hitch and was well-received by the massive live crowd inside the arena.
John Cena Steals The Spotlight As WrestleMania 42 Guest Host
John Cena played a central role at WrestleMania 42 as the official host of the event. The 17-time world champion had announced his return to WWE weeks before the show, confirming that he would take on hosting duties for the biggest wrestling event of the year.
His return came amid speculation about ticket sales for the event, with many believing the promotion brought him back to boost interest. Naturally, Cena received a strong reaction from the crowd on both nights.
As he opened the show, Cena delivered a lighthearted remark to cameraman Stu, referencing his continued role after Night 1.
“They didn’t fire me. Stu, they didn’t fire me. I can actually host Night Two. This is great. Let’s have some fun,” he said.
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During the event, Cena also announced the official attendance inside the arena and remained a visible presence throughout the show. He continued his role as host across both nights of WrestleMania 42, guiding segments and engaging with the live audience.
