John Cena commanded attention on the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at Sunday’s 96th Academy Awards.
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The WWE star and actor, 46, was invited by host Jimmy Kimmel, who referenced the 50th anniversary of a streaker named Robert Opel running onto the stage at the ceremony, interrupting late actor-presenter David Niven.
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Kimmel summoned the actor onto the stage with the line, ‘Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today?’
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‘I said, can you imagine if – a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?
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Cena backstage then said: ‘Psst! Psst, Jimmy! Come here.’
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Kimmel said: ‘I can’t come there – do the thing! Excuse me for a second.
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What’s going on? You’re supposed to run across the stage’ as Cena said: ‘Yeah, I – changed my mind. I don’t want to do the streaker bit.’
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‘I just don’t feel right about it. It’s an elegant event, you know, you should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless …’
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Kimmel said: ‘You wrestle naked, why not?’ as Cena said of his trademark ring attire: ‘I don’t wrestle naked, I wrestle in jorts!’
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Cena walked sideways onto the stage with the envelope for Best Costume Design covering his genitals. He said, ‘Costumes – they are so important – maybe the most important thing there is.’
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He acknowledged that he was unable to open the envelope, at which point Kimmel took over.
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Cena later covered up with a gold toga to present the statuette to Poor Things costume designer Holly Waddington.
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