Houston is gearing up for an electrifying experience as WWE superstar and actor John Cena is confirmed to make an appearance at the 2024 Comicpalooza, taking place at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Memorial Day weekend. Cena, known for his charismatic presence and "You can't see me" catchphrase, will grace the event on Sunday, May 26, much to the delight of fans ready to test their visibility on this wrestling icon.
Comicpalooza, the Lone Star State's largest pop culture convention, promises a spectacle of costumed heroes and villains, with afficionados getting the chance to snap photos and secure autographs from beloved figures across various entertainment genres. According to the Houston Chronicle, Cena's impact on pop-culture spans from his wrestling fame to roles in comedy, action, and even voice acting. "John Cena’s impact in pop-culture extends beyond the wrestling ring with credits from comedy and action to fantasy and voice acting. We cannot wait to introduce him to his fans at Comicpalooza!" said Aimée McCurtain, chief strategy officer for Comicpalooza and vice president of enterprise strategy for Houston First Corporation, in a statement.
Cena's affiliation with Houston is not new, having previously appeared for the 2015 WWE Night of Champions at the Toyota Center, and his fame extends beyond the squared circle, appearing on the covers of WWE 2K15 and 2K23 video games. On the big screen, Cena has earned a #1 spot on Prime Video’s top 10 list for his role in "Ricky Stanicky", and has also starred in the "Peacemaker" series and made cameos in films such as "Barbie". In addition, as KHOU11 reports, Cena's anticipated return in season two of "Peacemaker" is expected to start filming this year.
Apart from entertainment, John Cena is noted for his philanthropic work, granting nearly 700 wishes with Make a Wish and receiving accolades such as Sports Illustrated’s 2018 Muhammad Ali Legacy Award and USO METRO’s 2016 Legacy of Achievement Award. Comicpalooza brings a diverse roster this year, with the "Napoleon Dynamite" stars Jon Heder and Efren Ramirez, and personalities from horror classics to acclaimed voice actors in the line-up, according to an Instagram announcement.
Tickets to see the famed wrestler-turned-actor are segmented, including limited speed passes offering special perks at Cena's panel, and those interested can visit the Comicpalooza website for more details. With a wide array of programming spanning anime, comic books, cosplay, gaming, literature, and other entertainment, Comicpalooza continues to cement its place as a cornerstone of Houston's and America's geek culture.