Watch: Teen with Down syndrome who fled Ukraine meets his wrestling hero, John Cena
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By Kelli Dugan, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
HUIZEN, Netherlands — John Cena did more than help brighten the day of a Ukrainian teenager with Down syndrome, who was forced to flee his home in Mariupol as Russian troops invaded.
The professional wrestler and actor also helped the teen’s mother keep an unlikely promise she made to help motivate her non-verbal son throughout their treacherous journey to safety in the Netherlands.
Liana Rohozhyna explained to The Wall Street Journal that she kept her son, Misha Rohozhyn, mobilized through the chaos by perpetually feeding the fantasy that the pair were searching for Misha’s favorite wrestler.
The pair found sanctuary in Huizen, Netherlands, in May, but his mother told the Journal that 19-year-old Misha is unable to speak and has remained primarily in his bedroom since their arrival, overwhelmed by the ordeal and growing increasingly angry with her that Cena was nowhere to be found.
That all changed June 4 when Cena, who learned of the role he played in the mother-son duo’s brave escape, flew to Huizen to meet Misha one week ago, The Wrap reported.
“This is something out of this world,” Rohozhyna said through tears as Cena stepped out of his vehicle, wearing his World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. garb, the Journal reported.
“When I read about Misha’s story, it reached out to me — not just Misha’s story, but the story of Misha’s mom as well,” Cena told The Wrap, adding, “Having three days off from work, right when I read this story and being an hour away by air, it turned immediately into ‘We’re going.’”
A three-minute video clip of the serendipitous meeting shows plenty of embraces, tons of WWE swag, some bicep comparisons and a recreation in stereo of Cena’s “You Can’t See Me” catchphrase and move, the outlet reported.
“This was a wonderful adventure, in which I got to meet a wonderful new friend,” Cena told Misha via a translator. “Thank you for giving me strength.”
John Cena through the years John Cena, a voice actor in the upcoming animated film "Ferdinand," discusses the film during the 20th Century Fox presentation at CinemaCon 2017 at Caesars Palace on Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years This Dec. 9, 2018 photo shows WWE star-turned-actor John Cena posing for a portrait at the Four Seasons Hotel to promote his film "Bumblebee" in Los Angeles. (Photo by Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP) (Rebecca Cabage/Rebecca Cabage/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years FILE - In this March 30, 2011 file photo, WWE star John Cena participates in a Wrestlemania XXVII news conference at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square in New York. The death of Trayvon Martin has led to a debate about whether wearing a hooded sweatshirt presents a negative image. Cena says he was bullied as a kid because he loved rap and wore hip-hop clothing in a town where it wasn't popular. That's when he started lifting weights to protect himself. Cena is headlining against Duane "The Rock" Johnson at Wrestlemania on Sunday, April 1, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file) (Evan Agostini/AP)
John Cena through the years John Cena, a voice actor in the upcoming film "Ferdinand," arrives onstage for the 20th Century Fox presentation at CinemaCon 2017 at Caesars Palace on Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years FILE - In a Wednesday, July 13, 2016 file photo, host John Cena speaks at the ESPY Awards at the Microsoft Theater, in Los Angeles. Cena and Victoria Justice are hosting the Teen Choice Awards, live on Fox beginning 8 p.m. EDT Sunday, July 31, 2016, from the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) (Chris Pizzello/AP)
John Cena through the years WWE 2K15 cover Superstar John Cena (right) meets with Sting backstage at the SummerSlam Confidential Panel on at Club Nokia, on Saturday, August 16, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for 2K/AP Images) (Todd Williamson/Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years FILE- In this Sunday, April 6, 2014 file photo, John Cena celebrates his win during Wrestlemania XXX at the Mercedes-Benz Super Dome in New Orleans. World-famous WWE wrestlers such as John Cena, Shaemus and champion Randy Orton are in Saudi Arabia for three days of matches in the capital Riyadh. (Jonathan Bachman/AP Images for WWE, File) (Jonathan Bachman/AP)
John Cena through the years WWE 2K15 cover Superstar John Cena attends the WWE 2K15 SummerSlam Confidential Panel at Club Nokia, on Saturday, August 16, 2014 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision for 2K/AP Images) (Todd Williamson/Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years John Cena, a cast member in "The Suicide Squad," poses in costume at the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years FILE - In this March 11, 2017 file photo, John Cena hosts the Kids' Choice Awards in Los Angeles. Cena will return as host for the 2018 Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years Host John Cena dances at the Kids' Choice Awards at The Forum on Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years Host John Cena gets slimed onstage at the Kids' Choice Awards at The Forum on Saturday, March 24, 2018, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years Host John Cena reacts to getting slimed at the Kids' Choice Awards at the Galen Center on Saturday, March 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years John Cena, a cast member in the upcoming film "The Wall," discusses the film during the Amazon Studios presentation at CinemaCon 2017 at Caesars Palace on Thursday, March 30, 2017, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years Actor John Cena poses on the 86th floor observation deck at the Empire State Building in support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years Host John Cena competes in a dance battle at the Kids' Choice Awards at the Galen Center on Saturday, March 11, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
John Cena through the years John Cena, left, and Nikki Bella arrive at the Teen Choice Awards at the Forum on Sunday, July 31, 2016, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) (Richard Shotwell/Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP)