John Cena goes n@ked at the 2024 Oscars (Photo)

The WWE star and actor, 46, was invited by host Jimmy Kimmel, who referenced the 50th anniversary of a streaker named Robert Opel running onto the stage at the ceremony, interrupting late actor-presenter David Niven.

Kimmel summoned the actor onto the stage with the line, ‘Can you imagine if a nude man ran across the stage today?’

‘I said, can you imagine if – a nude man ran across the stage today? Wouldn’t that be crazy?

Cena backstage then said: ‘Psst! Psst, Jimmy! Come here.’ Kimmel said: ‘I can’t come there – do the thing! Excuse me for a second.

What’s going on? You’re supposed to run across the stage’ as Cena said: ‘Yeah, I – changed my mind. I don’t want to do the streaker bit.’

‘I just don’t feel right about it. It’s an elegant event, you know, you should feel shame right now for suggesting such a tasteless …’ Kimmel said: ‘You wrestle naked, why not?’ as Cena said of his trademark ring attire: ‘I don’t wrestle naked, I wrestle in jorts!’

Cena walked sideways onto the stage with the envelope for Best Costume Design covering his genitals. He said, ‘Costumes – they are so important – maybe the most important thing there is.’

He acknowledged that he was unable to open the envelope, at which point Kimmel took over. Cena later covered up with a gold toga to present the statuette to Poor Things costume designer Holly Waddington.