We Can't "Cena" John

Is this Cena's bus (spotted in Benton, IL)
Photo from New Country Z 100's Facebook page

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

This post is more of local interest, as several people have contacted me at my place of employment (a TV station in southern Illinois)  There have been multiple reports of John Cena being in our region.  But attempts to locate the former WWE champion have come up short.

It all started with a phone call from a coworker's friend who saw a WWE bus in a KFC parking lot in Benton, Illinois.  The bus has the image of Cena and the Rock on it, which lead to speculation that Cena must be on board.  The rumor was he was here to grant another wish for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

I personally called the KFC and spoke to an employee who confirmed the bus was indeed in the parking lot, but no one had gotten off, let alone John Cena.  All the pictures that have come to our station and the neighboring radio station have just been the bus.  No sign of any wrestlers.

My friend and colleague Adam Testa (who writes for the Baltimore Sun Ring Posts blog) made a call to someone who would be in the know if Cena was in the area.  His source confirmed that Cena was not here.  I called my contacts with Make-a-Wish and they also confirmed they had no Cena wishes being granted in our region.

A bit later we got word that the bus was at the Marion VA Medical Center and Cena was meeting with local vets.  One of our staff photographers hurried over to the hospital, but there was no sign of the bus at the facility.  A call to the VA has not been returned (as it was after business hours)

So, yes we can confirm a WWE bus with Cena's likeness was in town.  However, the rumors of Cena being aboard or being in our region are unfounded.  We don't know why the bus was here, but SmackDown was taped in Indianapolis Tuesday night, so maybe the bus took the scenic route from there.

I'll continue to update as I learn more about the situation.  Thanks.