Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback Cooper DeJean marked his interception with a tribute to retired WWE superstar John Cena, performing the wrestler’s signature “Five Knuckle Shuffle” move during Saturday’s game against the Washington Commanders. DeJean, who grew up a fan of professional wrestling, said the celebration was planned as an homage to Cena, who announced his retirement from in-ring competition earlier this year.
The gesture, which involves a hand wave followed by a fist drop, came after DeJean intercepted a pass in the second quarter, helping secure a 28-14 victory for the Eagles. Video of the celebration quickly went viral on social media, with fans noting its similarity to Cena’s famous routine.
DeJean’s antics unfolded amid swirling rumors linking the 22-year-old to Nikki Garcia, formerly known as Nikki Bella, Cena’s ex-fiancée. The speculation began earlier this week when Garcia, 42, was spotted attending an Eagles game and posted photos from the event on Instagram, prompting fans to connect the dots.
Cooper Dejean just hit the 5 Knuckle Shuffle in honor of John Cena
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) December 21, 2025
However, DeJean told reporters postgame that he was unaware of the rumors and that the celebration had no connection to them.
Garcia, a WWE Hall of Famer and reality TV star, addressed her personal life on her podcast “The Nikki and Brie Show” this week, seemingly shutting down the buzz. She revealed she hasn’t been intimate or even kissed anyone “in a long time,” emphasizing her focus on single life following her 2022 divorce from dancer Artem Chigvintsev.
The Eagles, now 11-3, continue their push toward the playoffs with DeJean emerging as a key defensive contributor in his debut season. As for the wrestling flair, teammates have embraced similar celebrations throughout the year, adding a layer of fun to Philadelphia’s dominant campaign.
Flip the pages for photos of Nikki Bella.
