Mason Rook has taken WWE NXT by storm ever since returning in April 2026and has created a whole new fan base in a very short time. However, one of his biggest supporters happens to be one of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time, John Cenaa man who has recently gone out of his way to shine a spotlight on the next generation of performers when his retirement show was heavily centered around NXT wrestlers.
During a recent interview Metro:Cena revealed that he actually submitted to Mason Rook before he joined WWE while wrestling as Will Cross on the European independent scene. Cena was based in Hungary while filming the upcoming Matchbox movie, and one of the companies Rook was fighting for at the time was on Hungarian TV, and when Cena first laid eyes on Rook, he was an instant fan.
“I was on the floor,” Cena said. “I didn’t have access to a lot of live sports, especially with the time difference, and the only thing I was watching was when they were doing a British wrestling program on broadcast TV, on the TV in my hotel. I think it was every Wednesday night and I would consistently see Will Cross doing his thing and the promotion he was working with.
It got to the point where Cena was so excited to watch Rook wrestle every Wednesday night that he even told his wife about him. “I would tell my wife. “I have to look after this baby.” He’s like “What are you doing watching this English UK indie broadcast?” I say: “This kid is good.” He can tell stories and he moves great.”
John Cena was very happy to meet Mason Rook
In the middle of Cena’s time in Hungary filming his movie, WWE embarked on a European tour that saw the company on the air. An episode of WWE Raw in Glasgow, Scotland. It was here that Rook was not only brought in as an extra, but also got the chance to meet Cena in person, something Cena himself was secretly hoping for.
“I was hoping. “Man, I know we have UK extras here. What if we walk into a room and Will Cross is there? I’d like to lose my mind.” ‘All the extra talent was kind of shepherded to get their physicality and stuff, and Will Cross is one of them. And I stopped dead.” Cena went on to express how much he admires Rook and his work, noting that he has qualities that many other wrestlers his age simply don’t have.
Rook would eventually appear in NXT in April 2026, a move that both pleased and surprised Cena, and he’s been following the Englishman since he arrived. “I watched him count himself out against an opponent like Rey Mysterio, and everything he did made sense. I watched him in the next match, it was like a championship match, and he somehow made himself this big unstoppable force, but also somehow managed to lose with dignity. He’s a very smart performer, and a lot of young performers want to see you perform at a very young age. But their inner intelligence, they just don’t have enough time or attention, his story is just the next step that could be for him.
If Cena has his way, Rook could be a part of the upcoming match John Cena Classic which will take place later this year. While no details have been confirmed about this contest, what is known is that Cena wants as many NXT stars as humanly possible to be involved, and given how much of a fan he is of Rook, the Englishman could very well be involved.
Please credit “Metro” when using quotes from this article and give H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
