Subhojeet Mukherjee on December 17, 2024
Enzo Amore had a memorable run in WWE before he was released in 2018. During his time in the company, he and Big Cass became one of WWE’s most popular acts, thanks in part to Enzo’s famous “SAWFT” catchphrase. In fact, Enzo has now revealed how John Cena played a big role in how the catchphrase came about.
While speaking to Buff Bagwell, Enzo Amore talked about his NXT debut match against Mason Ryan, where he was squashed. That night, after Enzo delivered a great promo, his fellow wrestlers stood up and applauded him and this caught John Cena’s attention. Curious, Cena asked Tyler Breeze why everyone was clapping for Enzo. Tyler explained that Enzo and Cass were some of the best at cutting promos in class.
“They wanted to stick it to the bill, so they all stood up and clapped for me, which made John Cena go, ‘Why are all the boys clapping for that guy?’ So Cena walks up to Tyler Breeze, who saved my career, and Tyler says, ‘Oh, him and Cass cut promos in promo class for Dusty, and they’re hilarious together.’
Tyler Breeze put me over to Cena because Cena just happened to nudge him and go, ‘Hey, Tyler Breeze, don’t talk to him. Hey man, why are they all popping for this kid?’ Tyler said, ‘He cuts the best promos in promo class with Big Cass.’ So now John Cena knows I’m with Cass.“
At the time, Enzo thought his career was over and that he was about to be fired. But instead, John Cena approached him backstage after the show and told him he had been watching Enzo and thought he stood out. Cena then invited Enzo to join him in the ring and suggested he cut a promo with Big Cass. Enzo and Cass were shocked, but it turned into a huge opportunity.
That night, Cena was doing a promo with Damien Sandow, who was playing a “smart” character called the “Intellectual Savior of the Masses.” Enzo, taking a shot at Sandow’s gimmick, confidently asked how many dimples are on a golf ball and answered, “168.” He then joked that there were “zero” dimples on his behind because he was “hard body.” This led to Enzo calling Sandow “S-A-W-F-T, SOFT.” Big Cass joined in, and the crowd went wild. Cena played along perfectly, and the fans began chanting “SAWFT” together, making the moment unforgettable.
“I come back through the curtain thinking I’m getting fired. I thought it was over. I figured Triple H did a charity, gave me one match so I could go home to Jersey with a bar story and say, ‘Yeah, I did it.’ But apparently, John Cena had other plans.
He comes up to me and says, ‘Hey man, I was watching the show for the past four hours, and you caught my attention. I want to know if you want to come out to the ring with me. Maybe you cut a promo.’ I don’t know exactly how it happened, but we talked to Cass, and I said, ‘I cut promos with him. Do you mind if we come together?’
Me and Cass end up in the ring with John Cena after the show. Cena’s in a promo against Damien Sandow, who was the ‘Intellectual Savior of the Masses’ at the time. Sandow’s whole gimmick was being smart. So I go, ‘Oh, you’re real smart? How many dimples are there on a golf ball? Oh, you don’t know? There’s 168 dimples on a golf ball. You know how many there are on my hind end? Zero. You know why? Because I’m hard body. You know who you are? You’re S-A-W-F-T… SOFT!’
John Cena went, ‘What did you call him?’ And me and Cass just looked at each other and yelled, ‘SAWFT!’ The whole crowd starts chanting ‘SAWFT! SAWFT!'”
In hindsight, Enzo compared the moment to Steve Austin’s “Austin 3:16” promo, emphasizing how catching lightning in a bottle is rare but essential in the wrestling business. Without Cena’s interest and the perfect timing, Enzo believes “SAWFT” may never have been born.
“It’s like Austin 3:16. If Michael Hayes doesn’t go up to Austin and say, ‘Hey man, Jake “The Snake” is talking about the Bible and John 3:16,’ Austin doesn’t grab the mic and say, ‘Austin 3:16 says I just whipped your ass.’
If it’s not for Damien Sandow being the ‘Intellectual Savior of the Masses,’ I don’t say ‘S-A-W-F-T, SOFT.’ You’ve got to get lucky, catch lightning in a bottle, and be smart enough to recognize it in the moment. Me and Cass weren’t smart enough—John Cena was.”
Are you glad just how John Cena helped create Enzo Amore’s iconic catchphrase? Let us know in the comments.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
December 17, 2024 9:47 am
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