John Cena explains the durability behind his iconic WWE jean shorts

John Cena has revealed that his iconic denim shorts, or “jorts,” became a permanent fixture of his WWE attire primarily due to their durability rather than fashion alone. Speaking on Conan O’Brien’s podcast, Cena explained that while the oversized denim style was popular in 2004 and aligned with his “Doctor of Thuganomics” persona, other types of clothing failed to withstand the physical demands of his performances in the ring.

During the development of his character, Cena experimented with various urban fashion styles, including yellow corduroy and blue sheepskin pants. He noted that he would often shop for his ring gear in the local neighborhoods of the cities WWE visited to maintain an authentic look. While his character eventually transitioned from a rapper to a more patriotic and motivational figure, the jean shorts remained a staple of his professional identity.