True to form, he lived up to his “You Can’t See Me” moniker. Over the past several months, Billboard made multiple attempts to present him with a commemorative plaque honoring the album’s milestone — a fitting tribute to a project that debuted at No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in May 2005. Not bad for someone whose day job revolved around bruising bumps, chair shots, and steel cage warfare.

During his farewell tour, Cena not only became WWE’s most decorated champion — securing his 17th world title with an assist from Travis Scott — but also cemented himself as the company’s undisputed GOAT, in a lineage that includes the electrifying greatness of The Rock, the brute force of Andre the Giant, and the chilling hiss of the Texas Rattlesnake, Stone Cold Steve Austin. Though he placed his boots in the center of the ring for the final time last December, Cena remains an integral ambassador for WWE, hosting both nights of WrestleMania 42. At WrestleMania weekend, I caught up with Cena for a quick reflection on You Can’t See Me turning 21, the staying power of his entrance theme, and hip-hop’s evolving role in WWE.

When you look at that plaque 21 years later, what does it represent to you now? What I enjoy about this is I hope anyone seeing it understands the value of betting on oneself. I made and produced this album myself.

WWE was kind enough to partner with Sony, press it and bring it to the masses. I didn’t know how to go after tracks or what life in the studio was like, or even how to construct an album. It was like a start-up experience — betting on a character I believed resonated with WWE.

To be recognized for that work 21 years later is special. Hopefully, if you’re watching, don’t ever be afraid to bet on yourself — you never know what can happen. I think it’s the safest bet you can make.

Why do you think the title track and your entrance theme, “You Can’t See Me,” still resonates so deeply with the WWE audience? I hate to talk in the third person, so I’ll try to use my words correctly, but I think it’s the work I’ve put in, as well as perseverance. I’ve never had another song — this is it.

The song never gave up, the character never gave up, regardless of popular opinion. I think it aligns with the core value of the character. Plus, it’s a pretty dope fight track.

View this post on Instagram Why do you think the connection between hip-hop and wrestling is stronger now than when you first came out 20 years ago? A lot of hip-hop is based on trash-talk, especially like freestyle battles. It’s based on bravado and trash-talk.

Even non-battle rap, it’s a conduit to talk about the latest trends, pop culture, what’s going on, and what your life is like. I was able to tell O’Shea [Ice Cube’s son] [how] his dad’s music reached a 12-year-old kid in West Newbury, Mass. It was more about rebellion.

I was a rebellious 12-year-old. I needed a voice. N.W.A gave me that voice. N.W.A gave me the voice in West Newbury.

The rebellious music was something that I connected with. So I think the connection is also that it’s so inclusive. WWE is so inclusive, and man, we want everybody to come, enjoy the show and get rowdy.

Hip-Hop is also rowdy. I take it back to groups like Onyx, Ruff Ryders and DMX. Hip-hop has a rowdy side to it, and I think there’s a lot of parallels.

You have unreleased music with your fellow WWE Superstar R-Truth. What are the chances of that coming out? Nah, man. I have a few unreleased tracks out there that just have to remain as moments between myself and the collaborating artists.

I like that because I was able to show up to Truth’s house, went to the studio to drop a few tracks and I remember that time as being wonderful and so does he. I think that’s the real return on that effort.