As one of the glitziest events in the showbiz calendar, the Oscars is the prime opportunity to make an unforgettable style statement. But for John Cena, this took on an entirely different meaning at the 96th Academy Awards, as he forewent clothes altogether to present the gong - ironically - for Best Costume.
After referencing the 50th anniversary of the streaker Robert Opel interrupting the Oscars, host Jimmy Kimmel beckoned the WWE star and actor to the stage by saying, 'Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today?'
Jimmy and John then engaged in a tongue-in-cheek conversation, in which the latter joked he didn't want to do the 'streaker bit'. '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...' he said, before shuffling onto the stage with the winning envelope covering his modesty.
'Costumes, they are so important - maybe the most important thing there is,' a naked John quipped to the Dolby Theatre crowd, before he was helped into a gold toga to wrap up the presentation.
But as the naked sketch is plastered over all corners of social media, it raises the question: just how far are people willing to go to create the ultimate viral moment? We've had several derive from awards season over the years, perhaps most memorably in 2022 when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock for the joke he made at the expense of Jada Pinkett Smith.
And in the latest collection of Oscars talking points, John's nakedness during such an esteemed evening has left people divided. Some labelled it 'gross' and 'attention seeking', with another writing, 'A sane grown man should not go naked in public and worse as entertainment.'
Many even referred to it as a humiliation ritual, which can be defined as the following: 'Practices or ceremonies that involve subjecting individuals to experiences of humiliation or embarrassment as part of a group or social context.'
Others disagreed and branded John a 'legend' for the skit. 'Jon Cena putting it all out there for the bit deserves its own Oscar,' tweeted one fan, leaving many commenting on his impressive physique.
Love or loathe the lengths it took to get there, John Cena has nailed the art of procuring a viral moment.
Millie Payne is a News and Entertainment Writer for Grazia. She has specialised in showbiz interviews, features, articles and roundups for over three years and loves combining her love for writing, talking and all things popular culture.