So, it turns out John Cena isn't doing his bing chilling routine anymore after that whole Taiwan thing in 2021 blew up. He talked about it with Joe Rogan, and apparently, trying to be culturally aware backfired big time and became a learning experience.

Cena spent a lot of time learning Mandarin to get WWE going in China. Once he thought he was good, he tried to do most of his Chinese appearances in Mandarin. Things were going well, but then they weren't.

He said that he was doing a bunch of readings off a prompter for different places. He didn't double-check one because it was the end of a long day. It told him to tell people in Taiwan to go see something, and the prompter called Taiwan a country.

That caused a stir because of the whole China-Taiwan situation. Chinese viewers got angry, and Cena had to apologise. But then American fans got mad at him for apologising.

Cena joked that he might be the only person who almost got cancelled for doing his homework. He said the lesson was that knowing the language doesn't mean you know the culture.

Now, Cena is playing it safe.

After the China incident, he's keeping his Mandarin skills on the down-low because he knows he doesn't really get Asian geopolitics. His work on Peacemaker and other stuff wasn't hurt by the whole thing, but he's being more careful when he travels.

Cena explained that he avoids speaking the language when he goes anywhere global because he doesn't understand the cultural stuff.

He said he was fluent in Mandarin but admitted he was reading in pinyin. Rogan and others tried to blame the incident on others, but Cena took responsibility.

Cena said it was his fault and that he could learn from it.

Asia's reaction was harsh, but the American response felt worse. Cena knew Americans might be bummed that he seemed to be giving in to Chinese politics, but his main point was something else.

Cena advised not to react right away. He wants people to take a breath, figure out what's happening, and find the best way to act, maybe after a few days.

Looks like Mick Foley and WWE are already splitting up.

Earlier this week, WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley said he's leaving the company when his Legends contract is up next year because of WWE's relationship with President Donald Trump. And it seems WWE is already taking steps to cut ties with Foley.

This week’s WarGames event in WWE Supercard was supposed to have a Mick Foley card as “Saint Mick.” This has been a Christmas thing for years in Supercard, and it would’ve been Foley’s fifth time in the game as “Saint Mick.”

But just hours after the event went live, it was pulled without warning. Later, game developer Catdaddy talked about why Foley was removed from the game’s Discord, saying:

“Hey everyone, it’s uncertain what will happen, but it seems we won’t be able to use Mick Foley, sadly. We really liked that card. We're working on another fun one to take its place.”

The replacement? An Austin Theory card showing off his new look from RAW. Thanks, I guess?

Because Foley was removed from WWE Supercard this week, it makes you wonder if he'll be in WWE 2K26. If Foley doesn't have a big part in the next game's story, he could easily be removed, like when WWE had 2K remove Mandy Rose in WWE 2K23 after she was let go by the company in December 2022.

What did Mick Foley say?

On Tuesday morning, Foley went to social media to say he is leaving WWE because of their association with Donald Trump, saying:

“LEAVING WWE. I’ve been worried about WWE’s closeness with Donald Trump for months now—especially with his administration's cruel treatment of immigrants (and anyone who “looks like an immigrant”). But reading the president’s incredibly cruel comments after Rob Reiner’s death is the last straw.

“I don't want to be with a company that supports someone so heartless as he pushes our country to tyranny. Last night, I told @WWE talent relations that I won’t be appearing for the company while this guy is still in office. Plus, I won’t be signing a new Legends deal when this one ends in June. I love WWE and will always like my time there, and I appreciate all the chances they gave me. But, like Popeye the sailor said, “I stand all I can stand, and I can’t stand more.”