John Cena doesn't usually break character. Whether he’s the "Hustle, Loyalty, Respect" superhero in the WWE or the comedic powerhouse in Hollywood, he keeps a certain level of polished composure. But 2022 brought a moment that felt different. It was heavy. When fans started asking who was the friend John Cena lost in 2022, the answer wasn't just a name on a roster; it was a connection to a tragic, heroic story that still hangs over the wrestling world.
He lost Shad Gaspard.
Now, technically, Shad passed away in May 2020. I know what you’re thinking. Why was everyone talking about it in 2022? It’s because that was the year the WWE finally inducted Shad into the Hall of Fame, posthumously awarding him the Warrior Award. It reopened the wound. It brought back the footage. It reminded everyone—including Cena—exactly what kind of man had been lost.
The Heroism That Defined Shad Gaspard
Shad wasn't just "the big guy" from the tag team Cryme Tyme. He was a father.
In May 2020, Shad and his son were caught in a massive rip current at Venice Beach. When lifeguards reached them, Shad did something that most people only hope they’d have the courage to do. He didn't grab for the rescue buoy first. He pointed at his 10-year-old son and told the lifeguards, "Save my son."
They did. But by the time they turned back for Shad, a large wave had crashed over him. He was gone.
By 2022, when the world had somewhat settled from the chaos of the pandemic, the wrestling community finally gathered to give him his flowers. Seeing John Cena’s reaction during this period, and his continued support of Shad’s family, highlighted a side of the industry people rarely see. It’s a brotherhood. It's not just about the scripts or the fake punches.
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Why the Loss Hit John Cena So Hard
Cena and Shad go way back to the mid-2000s. If you remember the "Ohio Valley Wrestling" days—the developmental territory where guys like Cena, Lesnar, and Batista cut their teeth—that's where the roots were.
Cena was the face of the company, the guy who never left the gym. Shad was this massive, charismatic force who everyone loved backstage. They toured together. They shared locker rooms when the schedule was 300 days a year on the road. When you spend that much time in rental cars and cheap hotels, you aren't just coworkers. You’re family.
The Cryme Tyme Connection
During the height of the "Cenation" era, Shad Gaspard and his partner JTG were one of the most popular acts on the show. Cena actually worked closely with them. Remember the "CTC" (Cryme Tyme Cenation) storyline? They used to vandalize JBL’s limousine together. It was goofy, high-energy, and genuinely fun.
But behind the scenes, Cena respected Shad’s hustle. Shad was trying to break into acting, much like Cena eventually did. They shared that ambition.
The 2022 Hall of Fame Ceremony
The reason the search for who was the friend John Cena lost in 2022 spiked is because of the emotional weight of the Hall of Fame.
Cena is known for his charity work—he’s the all-time leader for Make-A-Wish. He values sacrifice. Seeing Shad’s wife, Siliana Gaspard, and their son Aryeh accept that award in 2022 was gut-wrenching. Cena has always been a quiet supporter of the family. He doesn't post about it for clout. He just shows up.
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There was a specific moment during the ceremony where the camera panned to the legends in the crowd. You could see the "older guard"—the guys who ran the roads with Shad—and the look on their faces wasn't the usual "TV smile." It was real grief.
Wrestling is a Small World
People think of these celebrities as untouchable. They aren't.
When a guy like Shad dies, it ripples. It reminds everyone in that locker room of their own mortality. For Cena, who has transitioned into a massive movie star, these moments are anchors to his past. 2022 was the year the industry officially said goodbye, and it clearly weighed on him.
Other Losses That Rippled Through 2022
While Shad was the primary focus of the Warrior Award, 2022 was a brutal year for the wrestling fraternity in general. It felt like the hits just kept coming.
- Scott Hall (Razor Ramon): A mentor to almost everyone. His passing in early 2022 sent shockwaves through the business. Cena, like many others, grew up idolizing the "Bad Guy."
- Sara Lee: The Tough Enough winner passed away unexpectedly at age 30. This hit the younger locker room particularly hard.
- Antonio Inoki: A global legend whose death marked the end of an era for international wrestling.
But Shad was different. Shad’s death wasn't due to lifestyle choices or old age. It was a sacrifice.
The Impact on the Locker Room Culture
Honestly, the way Shad went out changed how a lot of these guys look at their lives. You see Cena now, and he talks a lot about "gratitude." He’s more reflective.
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He’s donated millions to various causes, but the loss of a contemporary—someone his own age, someone he shared the ring with—shifts your perspective. It’s not just about the next movie or the next WrestleMania pop. It’s about what you leave behind.
Shad left behind a legacy of being a hero in the truest sense of the word. Not the "Super Cena" kind of hero, but the kind that makes a split-second decision to die so their child can live.
How Fans Can Honor the Memory
If you're looking into this because you're a fan of Cena or Shad, there are actual ways to keep that legacy going.
- Support the Family: Following Siliana Gaspard’s work and keeping Shad’s memory alive on social media matters to them.
- Water Safety Awareness: This sounds boring, but the Gaspard family has been vocal about rip current education. If Shad’s story prevents one other person from getting caught in a similar situation, his sacrifice goes even further.
- Watch the 2022 Hall of Fame Speech: If you haven't seen it, go find the footage of Shad’s son doing his father's signature "double bicep" pose on the stage. It’ll break you.
John Cena’s 2022 was a year of massive professional success, with Peacemaker blowing up and his Hollywood career reaching new heights. But the quiet moments, the ones where he had to face the loss of a brother-in-arms like Shad Gaspard, are the moments that define who he is away from the cameras.
The "friend" wasn't just a colleague. He was a hero whose final act was the ultimate display of the "Loyalty" Cena has spent his life preaching.
When you look at John Cena today, you’re seeing a man who understands that his platform is temporary. The real stuff—the family, the sacrifices, the friendships forged in the grind of the wrestling business—that’s what stays. Shad Gaspard might be gone, but the impact he had on his friends, including Cena, clearly hasn't faded.
To honor this legacy, take a moment to look into the Shad Gaspard Memorial and the various charities the wrestling community supports. Understanding the man behind the performer is the best way to appreciate the "art" of professional wrestling. Keep an eye on WWE’s annual "Warrior Award" recipients, as they continue to highlight individuals who exhibit the same level of strength and character that Shad did.