THE TONIGHT SHOW STARRING JIMMY FALLON -- Episode 0689 -- Pictured: Professional wrestler John Cena on June 9, 2017 -- (Photo by: Andrew Lipovsky/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank)

John Cena & Matthew McConaughey Talk Cena’s ‘Prototype’ Gimmick & Texas Wrestling (Video)

John Cena
Photo by Rick Diamond/WireImage

“Alright, alright, alright.” As previously noted, John Cena and actor Matthew McConaughey were on The Graham Norton Show this week.

The two got to talk some wrasslin’ while Cena was promoting the release of his Transformers film, Bumblebee, but the topic switched to Cena’s career as a wrestler. He had some interesting things to say about his “Prototype” gimmick, which sparked McConaughey’s history as a wrestling fan as they discussed classic acts like The Von Erichs, The Missing Link and Skandor Akbar. Video and quotes are below in what is a very entertaining segment of television (transcription credit should go to @DominicDeAngelo at WrestleZone):

John Cena on his Prototype gimmick:

“It was awful.”

“My first try was the Prototype which was half-man and half-machine & 100% crap.”

On how he portrayed the “half-machine” aspect:

“I used this ability to talk rather monotone and would say things authoritative and just when I said I’d kick your ass at the fairgrounds on Sunday I would rewind it and say it again for you [demonstrates].”

MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY: “It didn’t work?”

CENA: [flabbergasted] “No!”

MM: “I’m in.”

Matthew McConaughey on his wrestling fandom:

MM: “I got kicked out of Hirsch Coliseum in Shrevport for pelting Skandor Akbar with a bag of tomatoes from the eighth row.”

CENA: “Skandor Akbar was a man dressed as a sheik that used to throw fire.”

MM: “Yes and he managed King Kong Bundy. He was like 484 lbs. And remember The Missing Link from Parts Unknown.”

CENA: “Remember the green face? Spit green mist?”

GRAHAM NORTON: “They sound really good!”

CENA: “Yeah! Entertaining….and I’m John Cena.”

RELATED: How 50 Cent Inspired John Cena’s Iconic ‘You Can’t See Me’ Hand Gesture

My favorite part about this interview is Cena’s wrestling knowledge shining through as without a beat he picks up McConaughey’s mentions of talent and the history behind them. Hustle, Loyalty & Respect, indeed. Watch that clip if you skipped over it.

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