'I saw their signs': John Cena reveals how cruel taunts pushed him to cosmetic surgery

WWE icon and Peacemaker star John Cena has revealed that cruel taunts from the audience and wrestling fans pushed him to cosmetic surgery.

The 48-year-old underwent a hair transplant and admitted that he wishes he got it done a decade ago.

"I saw their signs that said 'The bald John Cena,'" Cena told People in a recent interview.

"They pushed me into going to see what my options were."

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In an effort to look after his hair, he explained he has a routine of "red-light therapy, minoxidil, vitamins, shampoo, conditioner – and I also got a hair transplant last November".

"I hate the fact that if there wasn't so much shame around it, I'd have gotten it done 10 years ago," he said.

Despite feeling like it was something that was just affecting him, Cena added "seven or eight out of 10 [men] suffer from thinning or baldness".

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"It completely changed the course of my life," he added.

Cena, who has moved into acting and the entertainment industry, also added that a different hairstyle can also help get more work.

Cena previously called out wrestling fans for the cruel comments during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show in April.

"You chant and you make me feel small and you embarrass me," he said of the comments about his receding hair.

"Y'all don't know what that's like. That is straight-up bullying. That's just not cool. I don't like it.

"So, thank you for bullying me into getting surgical hair replacement. That's how far y'all push me."

Cena also detailed the hair transplant process elsewhere in the interview.

"Science has come to a point where we're like, 'Hey you know what this has been a thing, let us help you'," he told McAfee, explaining the hair transplant process he underwent.

"When you get [surgery], your hair falls out because the new ones have to grow. So the old one falls out.

"And you guys, by the way, thank you for being so aware of my needs and emotions, because you guys ripped me to shreds for a genetic problem that I can't control."

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Cena said the comments aren't 'cool'.

"I'm in the [Royal Rumble] trying to win and [fans say], 'How's the bald spot?' Like, that's not fair. I can't control that," he said.

Cena recently announced his plans to retire from the WWE, with his final performances scheduled for December.

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He plans to focus on his acting career which has seen him star in hit movies such as Fast and Furious, Heads of State, Blockers and Trainwreck.

Of his decision to retire, Cena told People: "Age plays a factor. I'm not as strong or as fast as I used to be. I made a promise when I started gaining some notoriety that when I'm a step slower, I will go, because there will be kids just as hungry as I was who have earned a shot to see if they can make it.

"My health and my dedication to my partner are the tip of my spear in life right now, so I think every time I go out (in the ring), I just want to make sure I'm able to give my all, but it's time to step away."

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