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Stephen Colbert
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John Cena
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Stephen Colbert
Have a seat friends and neighbors. Welcome to the Late Show. I'm your host, Stephen Colbert. Ladies and gentlemen, I just want everyone watching to know what an honor it is to be here tonight in front of an audience that we just pulled out of a slow cooker, threw in a lemon, some olive oil, a little garlic. Meat's falling right off their bones. Because today in New York city temperatures reached 100 degrees and it's hot all across the country. 100 degree temperatures are expected from the Great Plains to New England. It is so hot in Missouri that Sunday that the roads began to spontaneously buckle while people were driving on them. Check this out. Reminds me of that old Irish blessing. May the road rise to meet God. Not literally. Faith in Begora. You busted me suspension now the road rising now. Not anymore. These record temperatures are being caused by what meteorologists call a heat dome, which is a strong bubble of high pressure. Also what it's called when your mother says coming to Easter brunch is optional. But it's what Gam Gam would have wanted, if that still matters to you. One spot that's been very hot lately is the Middle East. Hopefully that's going to cool down soon because as of this taping, still, as of this taping, there is a tenuous ceasefire between Iran and Israel. What happened was around 6pm last night. Donald Trump, Congratulations to everyone. It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a complete and total ceasefire. Officially, Iran will start the ceasefire and upon the 12th hour, Israel will start the ceasefire.
Audience
So.
Stephen Colbert
Let me get this straight. Let me do the math. Iran stops right away, but Israel gets another 12 hours of dropping. That's like a parent in the front seat saying, you two knock it off back there. Luke, you quit it right now. Derek, you can hit your brother for another 12 hours. Go for the eyes. That's the soft part. Go for the eyes. After the ceasefire announcements, Republicans were tooting Trump's horn. Alabama Senator Katie Britt said, President Trump is going to win the Nobel Peace Prize.
Audience
No doubt.
Stephen Colbert
On the other hand, some doubt. I'm not sure they give an award for bombing people into submission. I think you're thinking of the J.D. power and Associates award for best Heavy Duty Kablooey. So war over? Maybe. Because right up until Trump's deadline, Israel and Iran kept bombing each other. Then after the deadline, Israel accused Iran of breaking the ceasefire and threatened to retaliate. Trump was asked about the fragile state of the ceasefire this morning on the White House lawn. We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what the they're doing.
Audience
Wow.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. He is so mad and or so projecting. They don't know. They don't know what the they're doing. They're starting to wonder. I tell you, folks, they're starting to wonder if they even wanted all of this. Sure, they like the attention, but the job itself sucks. All they want to do. All they want to do is eat chicken and watch TV and play a little golf. What the. Am I okay? Hold on, hold on. Whether or not the ceasefire holds, one thing we know for certain is that our military operation was worth it. Because hostilities have ceased. There were no American casualties, and the President told us Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities have been completely and totally obliterated. Okay, that's one less problem in the world. Except for one small problem. Today we learned that US Intelligence has determined Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium was not destroyed and their centrifuges are largely intact. Oops, a nookie. So less Operation Midnight Hammer and more Operation MC Hammer in that. Iran's nuclear scientist just sent this message about their centrifuges.
Audience
Can't touch this.
Stephen Colbert
Still got it. Still got. I gotta get the big pants. When confronted with the report, White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt said this alleged assessment is flat out wrong and was classified as top secret. Sure, of course. Cause that's the way top secret works.
Audience
Psst.
Stephen Colbert
I have information that is flat out wrong. Tell no one. So after decades of President resisting Israel's entreaties to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump took an enormous risk, put our service members in harm's way, bombed Iran for the first time ever with the largest conventional weapons ever manufactured, which we used for the first time in this bombing, and we didn't end their nuclear program. How did the administration manage that? They don't know what the they're doing. Oh, understood, understood. There you go. There it is. One place that Trump will never declare a ceasefire is here at home, where ICE is constantly devising new, terrible ways to treat immigrants. Led by Secretary of Homeland Security and woman flirting with a widower in front of an open casket, Kristi Noem. Yesterday, Secretary Noem announced that the government would fund the construction of a brand new detention center in the Florida swamps, which GOP state officials have dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. That really sounds like the name of a game. On sale for 99 cents in the Nintendo eShop. We got a dollar left on this gift shard. Should we go Alligator Alcatraz Crocodile Casino, or this one called Ducks on a Boat. The premise is you've got a bunch of ducks on the boat and you try to knock them off and then they drown. Why would ducks drown? Keep in mind the original Alcatraz was a notorious prison surrounded by treacherous shark infested waters to contain America's most dangerous criminals. Alligator Alcatraz is just to hold regular folks with uncertain immigration status that ICE has been sweeping off the streets and stuffing into unmarked vans. It will really change prison movies. What are you in for? I spent 20 years as a line cook and a pillar of my community. What about you? I'm the best reviewed roofer in the tri state area. Don't believe me? Ask Angie's list Gnome rubber stamped this. Oh, thank you. Let me shake my character. Come on. Nome rubber stamped this. Gator Gulag. But it's actually the brainchild of Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeyer, seen here telling his wife that if the baby doesn't get more protein powder, he's not going to develop a healthy grind set to promote his cool no due process dude ranch. Uthmeyer released this promo video. Attorney General James Uthmeyer here at the Miami Dade Collier training facility. This is an old, virtually abandoned airport facility right in the middle of the Evergreen. The governor tasked state leaders to identify places for new temporary detention facilities. I think this is the best one, as I call it, Alligator Alcatraz. See, it's not an internment camp in the Everglades. It's a rock and roll internment camp in the Everglades. I tell ya. You know folks, this whole thing was actually my Camaro's ide. Her name is Sheila. She also gave me the idea to imprison feminists in an abandoned zoo. Or as I call it, Gorilla Gitmo. Uthmeyer. Bet you didn't know I could play that. I did now. Uthmeyer. Uthmeyer explained his reptilian security system. This 30 square mile area is completely surrounded by the Everglades. People get out. There's not much waiting for them other than alligators and pythons. Meaning the new Homeland Security motto is deport you later alligator get no trial crocodile. An added layer of weirdness of all this is that the construction of this new Hellscape will be funded in large part by fema. Well, that's going to be fun to explain to hurricane victims. Ma' am, I'm so sorry. We couldn't afford enough bottled water for everyone. But it is for a very cool. Hit it. This idea is so twisted, even people in Florida think it's cruel. Like this local advocate who I urge you to take seriously even after you eventually find out what he looks like. It's not good for our people. It's not good for our environment. It's not good for our quality of life. It's a trigger. A canary in the coal mine of a much deeper systemic problem. And we're seeing it here being built literally in the middle of the Everglades. Sir, I'm sorry. I'm sorry, sir, but we cannot hear you over your alligator hat or your alligator hat's hat. Here's the alligators wearing a homburg. Here's another protester. I owe my entire life to the Everglades for people to be stationed out here specifically. If from what I've seen, people aren't getting what they need in these detention centers, if there is an ac, if there isn't access to clean water, it will just be torture. I work in the Everglades. I'm an alligator wrestler. Thank you. Thank you, citizen. We should all be more like that alligator wrestler. That man's got a good head on his shoulders for now. We got a great show for you tonight. Coming up.
John Cena
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Stephen Colbert
4Th of July Savings are here at the Home Depot, so it's time to get your grilling on. Pick up the Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill and Smoker now on special buy for $389 was $5.49. Smoke a rack of ribs or bacon apple pie. This grill is versatile enough to do it all this summer. No matter how you like your steaks, your barbecues are guaranteed to be well done. Celebrate 4th of July with fast free delivery on select grills right now at the Home Depot. It's up to. Ladies and gentlemen, my first Guest is a 17 time WWE Champion and an actor, you know, from movies including Ricky Stanicki, F9 and the suicide Squad. He now stars in the new action comedy film Heads of State. Please welcome back to The Late Show, Mr. John Cena. Dang.
Audience
Lot of energy on the room.
Stephen Colbert
It is. You know how much I enjoy talking to you. It's always good to see you. I do want to point out that you just gave me like a WWE level slap on the back and I believe I need arthroscopic surgery after tonight's show. How, how, how you been?
Audience
I've been great. Life is Good.
Stephen Colbert
I know the last time we were here, you were saying that you were coming up on your last WWE season, and you're in it right now.
Audience
Right. We are in the middle of a retirement tour. This is a farewell tour. We're absolutely halfway through.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, so what has John Cena's Last Dance been like so far?
Audience
It's been pretty incredible. I think we're getting now to the point where audiences understand that I'm done in December, and professional wrestling and retirement, really, there's no realism there, but I will absolutely be done in December. So I think it was kind of a thing where people didn't understand what was going on, but now, as we're halfway through it, audiences are. It's a really good live experience because every audience is different. Some of them like me, some of them hate me, but they're very vocal. And I think now we're getting down to the.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. Were these people, like, not necessarily really believing this? Farewell to you. I didn't think. How old are you now?
Audience
I am 48.
Stephen Colbert
It is real. It is real. That is. I think you've paid your debt.
Audience
I'm just. I'm just not as enthusiastic as I used to be.
Stephen Colbert
So you're playing big events like WrestleMania. You're in front of, like, 70,000, 70.
Audience
Sometimes 80, 90, sometimes up to 100,000 people.
Stephen Colbert
What's that vibe like for you?
Audience
It is just a jumble of confusion.
Stephen Colbert
Want to write that down?
Audience
Yes. Yes. So as he takes Diligent notes. Normally, WWE's an arena spectacle, so it's like 14,000, 15,000 people.
Stephen Colbert
Still a great crowd.
Audience
Great crowd, but you can understand. So, like, the crowd wants to dictate and mimic the crowd. So, like, 500 people start chanting something, and then everyone will catch on. But the stadium shows are like a collection of the super fans, and they all want to be heard, because we encourage the WWE audience to not be like you guys, to be very loud at all times, so you can't even hear yourself think. And in a stadium, like, one place will be chanting something and another place will be chanting something, and you'll try to be like, I don't even know what to do. So it is literally a jumbo of confusion.
Stephen Colbert
Wow.
Audience
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
And that's part of the thrill.
Audience
No, it's difficult. I want to be able to do the right thing for the audience at night.
Stephen Colbert
Oh, so you don't really know how to respond because you're not sure which way this horse is going to kick.
Audience
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
I call that a jumble rodeo.
Audience
Oh, hold on.
Stephen Colbert
Beautiful handle. Now, you've been. You've been. You've been a WWE icon for what, 20 years now? Something like that? Just about.
Audience
It's 25th year.
Stephen Colbert
25Th year. More than that.
Audience
Okay.
Stephen Colbert
More than two decades. In that time. In that time. And you're a superstar in this world. You, you, you.
Audience
You've.
Stephen Colbert
You've. You've endorsed a lot of merch. There's a lot of John Cena merch out there.
Audience
The WWE likes to get the word out there, and they do have that intellectual property which they license at will. And I'm thankful for it because our reach goes across the globe and there's a lot of products.
Stephen Colbert
There's a lot of products. Okay, so let's get into this. I would like. We've got a quiz here called is it Real Cena Merch? Or something we made up. Are you ready? Are you ready to take a quiz about your own merch? Sure.
Audience
Let's go for it.
Stephen Colbert
Okay, let's go. Here we go. All right. Real or made up? John Cena. John Cena alarm clock.
Audience
Oh, that's gotta be real.
Stephen Colbert
John Cena alarm clock right there.
Audience
That has to be real.
Stephen Colbert
That's real. That's real.
Audience
Okay, wake up and get. After the day.
Stephen Colbert
John Cena wireless keyboard.
Audience
That is not real.
Stephen Colbert
Officially. Officially, like, officially licensed. Okay, John C. E. Tina action figure. That makes you E.T.
Audience
Now, that's interesting, but that is not real.
Stephen Colbert
You gotta talk to your accountant, man. You gotta get your beak wet on that one. Okay, John Cena Holiday. Buddy, this is a long card. John Cena, Holiday Nutcracker.
Audience
I mean, it's been a real experience in my life.
Stephen Colbert
John Cena Holiday Nutcracker.
Audience
Oh, man.
Stephen Colbert
There you go. John Cena. You can't see me. Eye mask.
Audience
That has to be real.
Stephen Colbert
Made up.
Audience
Okay, I'm missing the boat out there.
Stephen Colbert
John Cena two in one USB charger.
Audience
That's gotta be real.
Stephen Colbert
This is real.
Audience
Right on. I'll give you a little boost.
Stephen Colbert
John Cena, doctor of scrub anomics. Loofah.
Audience
That's if it's not real, we need to get that on the shelves. I think that's good.
Stephen Colbert
That's for you. That one's made up.
Audience
Oh, man.
Stephen Colbert
And finally, John Cena air freshener.
Audience
That's gotta be real. We have to have some sort of air freshener thing.
Stephen Colbert
There you go. The John Cena you can't see me. There you go. There you go.
Audience
Those products and more available on all WWE shop sites.
Stephen Colbert
Now, as you said, part of the fun of what you do in the ring is the energy the fans bring, and they bring. They have a lot of signs. Here's one. You're one of your championships right there.
Audience
Yeah, look at that.
Stephen Colbert
You are with the belt.
Audience
So I often tell people who don't know what WWE is about, screw what's in the ring. That's not important. Look at what's going on outside the ring. This is chaos. And we got all sorts of signs here. This one's a good one.
Stephen Colbert
Cena sucks.
Audience
That's my dad.
Stephen Colbert
That's what I was.
Audience
Yeah.
Stephen Colbert
Mm. Well, they. So I've got. We've got a couple. We got a couple of signs right here. We had made up. Well, this is. I mean, I don't know. I didn't know which way the interview was gonna go tonight.
Audience
Oh, you.
Stephen Colbert
So we have Cena Suc. But we also have. Let's go, Cena.
Audience
All right, hold on, hold on, hold on.
Stephen Colbert
Let's go, Cena.
Audience
If you indulge me.
Stephen Colbert
Hold on, hold on. Let's try it. Ready? Give me your honest reaction. Ready?
Audience
Amateur. Okay, indulge me. This is how we do it in wwe. When I hold up this, this is what you say. When I hold up this, this is what you say. Everybody understand? Everybody understand? I now pronounce you full WWE fans. Congratulations.
Stephen Colbert
Wow. Wow.
Audience
Exhausting. That is simultaneously.
Stephen Colbert
They are now official fans. Yeah, they're official fans. That's the brawling bar mitzvah we just had there. We have to take a quick break.
Audience
We do.
Stephen Colbert
But be right back with more John Cena, everybody.
Audience
Now streaming.
Stephen Colbert
When everything's on the line, real heroes.
Audience
Rise to the occasion. TV's hottest show is Fire Country.
Stephen Colbert
We're firefighters. We're gonna find a way to get you out of here.
Audience
We take the hitch together.
John Cena
We're on the same team.
Audience
I'm right here with you no matter what.
Stephen Colbert
I would never leave you hanging in the deep end. This place is a way of giving you new family Fire Country.
Audience
All episodes now streaming on Paramount Plus.
Stephen Colbert
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John Cena
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Stephen Colbert
Hey, everybody, we're back. Star of the new movie Heads of State, John Cena. You're now starring in the new movie Heads of State. I had to co star Idris Elba on the show last night. Yes, lovely fella, he is. Here's what he said. Who? I want you to answer this honestly. Who would win in a fight? What? Who would win in a fight between you and John Cena?
Audience
In a real fight?
Stephen Colbert
In a real fight?
Audience
You would like John Cena. I would kick his ass. Yeah, but look.
Stephen Colbert
A reaction, sir.
Audience
Man, he hurts my feelings a lot. Oh, hey, nice doing the sign thing. Doing the sign callback. Are we doing that? That's a good. That's good for here. The let's go, Cena. Cena sucks thing works here. I don't know. You guys ready for another round? Get the sign. No, you don't need the signs. Let's go sit up.
Stephen Colbert
Cedar sauce.
Audience
Let's go. Cedar.
John Cena
Cedar sauce.
Audience
Okay, so I'd call it a draw. Judging by audience participation, we would fight to a draw. There is no winner here.
Stephen Colbert
Okay.
Audience
Yes.
Stephen Colbert
Okay.
Audience
Yeah. I'm not gonna sit here. I'm not gonna sit here in this very comfortable chair in a tie like this and say, I would kick Idris Elba's ass. I'm not gonna do that. We would fight to a draw.
Stephen Colbert
All right.
Audience
And we would take it to a battle of wits.
Stephen Colbert
We have a clip here of heads of state.
Audience
We do have a clip of.
Stephen Colbert
Before we see it, what do we need to know about heads of state?
Audience
So this is a buddy comedy, an action buddy comedy of two heads of state, the prime minister and the President. They get caught in a precarious situation, hilarity ensues, they don't like each other. They have to work together to go on to have the world function in harmony and humor. And I think it's a wonderful movie for today. Sure. I think we can all have a good laugh and enjoy. And in this clip, I am kind of hanging by my ugly bits, and Idris has to come to my rescue. And I don't want his help, but I need his help.
Stephen Colbert
Jim.
Audience
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What are you doing? Call my wife. I'm letting her know I'm alive. No. No phones. All right, do as I do. We just survived the worst security breach in history, so you have to assume whoever wants you dead is listening to communications. Okay? Call my family to let them know I'm okay. And we should let the world know we're okay. Newsflash. We're not okay. All right? If we fall into the wrong hands, best case scenario, they use us as a political football. Worst case scenario is they make an example of us. Now, put. Put that down. You know what happened to the last guy who threw a shoe at a sitting president? You're not sitting. You're hanging.
Stephen Colbert
John, good to see you. Always good to see you, as always.
John Cena
Thank you.
Stephen Colbert
Heads of State premieres on Prime Video July 2nd. John Cena, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.
John Cena
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Audience
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Stephen Colbert
Every style, Every home.
Audience
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Stephen Colbert
When everything's on the line, real heroes.
Audience
Rise to the occasion. TV's hottest show is Fire Country.
Stephen Colbert
We're firefighters. We're gonna find a way to get.
Audience
You out of here. We take the hitch together.
John Cena
We're on the same team.
Audience
I'm right here with you no matter what.
Stephen Colbert
I would never leave you hanging in the deep end. This place is a way of giving you new family. Fire Country.
Audience
All episodes now streaming on Paramount plus.
Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert
Episode: "John Cena | Keepin' It 100°"
Release Date: June 25, 2025
Host: Stephen Colbert
Guest: John Cena
Segments Covered:
Stephen Colbert opens the episode by addressing the unprecedented heatwave sweeping across the United States, with temperatures soaring to 100 degrees in New York City and causing roads in Missouri to buckle. Colbert humorously compares the situation to an overcooked dish, saying:
"May the road rise to meet God. Not literally. Faith in Begora." ([02:20])
He explains that the heatwave is a result of a "heat dome," a strong bubble of high pressure, and makes a cheeky reference to familial obligations:
"It's also what it's called when your mother says coming to Easter brunch is optional." ([02:50])
Colbert transitions to international affairs, highlighting a fragile ceasefire between Iran and Israel brokered by former President Donald Trump. He mocks the agreement's timing:
"Iran starts the ceasefire, and Israel gets another 12 hours of dropping... That's like a parent in the front seat saying, you two knock it off back there. Luke, you quit it right now. Derek, you can hit your brother for another 12 hours." ([04:16])
Despite Republican praise for Trump's efforts, Colbert expresses skepticism about the ceasefire's longevity, particularly following Israel's accusations of Iran breaking the truce:
"We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don't know what they're doing." ([05:09])
He concludes this segment by pointing out the contradiction in the administration's narrative regarding the effectiveness of military operations:
"Operation Midnight Hammer and more Operation MC Hammer in that." ([07:00])
Colbert shifts focus to domestic policy, criticizing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for constructing a new detention center in the Florida swamps, humorously dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." He parodies the promotion video released by Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeyer:
"Alligator Alcatraz... it's a rock and roll internment camp in the Everglades." ([09:15])
The segment underscores the harsh conditions and environmental concerns associated with the facility, mocking the officials involved:
"Kristi Noem announced that the government would fund the construction of a brand new detention center... I tell ya. You know folks, this whole thing was actually my Camaro's idea." ([10:30])
Audience members express strong opposition, with Colbert highlighting local advocacy against the detention center's environmental and ethical implications:
"It's not good for our people. It's not good for our environment. It's not good for our quality of life." ([12:00])
Colbert wraps up this critical segment by emphasizing the broader systemic issues reflected by the detention center's establishment:
"It's a canary in the coal mine of a much deeper systemic problem." ([12:45])
Guest: John Cena, 17-time WWE Champion and actor known for roles in "F9," "Suicide Squad," and the upcoming action-comedy "Heads of State."
Cena discusses his ongoing retirement tour, describing it as a "farewell tour" halfway through its run. He reflects on audience reactions:
"It's a really good live experience because every audience is different... they are very vocal." ([16:23])
Colbert humorously probes Cena about the authenticity of his retirement, to which Cena responds with candor about the challenges of performing in large stadiums:
"Sometimes up to 100,000 people. It's just a jumble of confusion." ([16:48])
In a playful segment, Colbert quizzes Cena and the audience on various merchandise items, blending real products with fictitious ones:
Notable Quote:
"John Cena, you can't see me." ([20:12])
This interactive quiz engages both Cena and the audience, showcasing Cena's extensive merchandise line while providing comedic relief.
Colbert and Cena engage with audience members holding up various fan signs such as "Cena Sucks" and "Let's Go, Cena," leading to humorous exchanges:
"That’s the soft part. Go for the eyes." ([04:16])
Cena shares insights into his long-standing WWE career, reflecting on his 25th anniversary in the wrestling world:
"It's been pretty incredible... audiences are very vocal." ([16:23])
The interview culminates with promotion for Cena's new film "Heads of State," featuring a humorous simulated clip where Cena's character is in a precarious situation requiring Idris Elba's (fellow actor and guest) rescue.
"Heads of State premieres on Prime Video July 2nd." ([27:26])
Stephen Colbert wraps up the episode by thanking John Cena and encouraging listeners to watch "Heads of State." He also promotes additional content available on The Late Show's YouTube channel for more exclusive clips.
Stephen Colbert ([02:20]):
"May the road rise to meet God. Not literally. Faith in Begora."
Stephen Colbert ([04:16]):
"Republicans were tooting Trump's horn... it's like a parent in the front seat saying, you two knock it off back there."
John Cena ([16:23]):
"It's a really good live experience because every audience is different... they are very vocal."
Stephen Colbert ([20:12]):
"John Cena, you can't see me."
In this engaging episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, listeners are treated to a blend of sharp political commentary and lighthearted entertainment. Stephen Colbert adeptly navigates through pressing national and international issues before shifting to a charismatic and humorous interview with wrestling superstar and actor John Cena. The episode balances insightful discussions with interactive segments, making it both informative and entertaining for listeners who seek a comprehensive and lively podcast experience.