Cooper DeJean isn’t just stealing passes—he’s stealing the show with WWE-style celebrations.
Just one week after WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event marked the official retirement of John Cena, the Philadelphia Eagles cornerback paid tribute in the most fitting way possible. After intercepting Marcus Mariota late in the third quarter during Friday’s win over the Washington Commanders, DeJean hit the end zone and dropped the five-knuckle shuffle on teammate Quinyon Mitchell.
It wasn’t just a solo move. Mitchell laid down in the end zone to complete the setup, as the Eagles defense turned the pick into a full-on wrestling spectacle. DeJean brushed off his shoulder like Cena, delivered the iconic move, and even pinned Mitchell for the three count.
This isn’t DeJean’s first time bringing wrestling flair to the NFL field. Back during the 2025 NFL Wild Card round, Mitchell attempted the pedigree on DeJean in another celebration. And in August, DeJean showed up on WWE RAW—alongside the Lombardi Trophy—cementing his wrestling fandom.
But the timing of this latest tribute? DeJean’s five-knuckle shuffle comes as he’s making headlines for his rumored connection to none other than WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella. The two sparked dating rumors after Nikki shared photos from her visit to Lincoln Financial Field, including a snap inside DeJean’s locker and a cozy pic with the rising NFL star. DeJean later left an eagle emoji and a red heart on one of her posts, only fueling the speculation.
Now he’s channeling John Cena—Nikki Bella’s famous ex—in a primetime celebration? Yeah, the timing isn’t subtle.
Is Cooper DeJean’s WWE tribute just a playful nod, or is there a deeper message in the shuffle? Drop your thoughts below.
December 20, 2025 7:58 pm
