John Cena honours childhood fan Luke Littler on Instagram after the teenage darts sensation posts a video of himself imitating the iconic wrestler as a kid

John Cena has hailed Luke Littler posting a picture of him on his InstagramIt comes after a video emerged of the darts player imitating the wrestler Many famous names have hailed the 16-year-old after the World Championship  

John Cena has paid tribute to Luke Littler on Instagram, posting a picture of the teenage darts sensation on the social media platform following his sensational performances reaching the final of the PDC World Darts Championship.

It came after it emerged that the 16-year-old was a big wrestling fan when he was a kid, with Littler claiming that his walkout music ‘Greenlight’ by Pitbull, was inspired by a trip to watch Wrestlemania 33 back in 2017 with his dad – an event which the musician performed live at.

The teenager has attracted the praise of fans around the world after he stormed his way to the final of the competition on his debut, defeating ullustrious names in the world of darts, including Brendan Dolan, Rob Cross and his hero and former champion Raymond van Barneveld.

Ahead of the final, Littler had explained to BBC Radio 1 why he had picked ‘Greenlight’ has his walkout music, claiming: ‘It was from WrestleMania 33, back in 2017. I went over [to Orlando, Florida] with my Dad; it was unbelievable.’

John Cena has honoured Luke Littler on Instagram after his sensational performances at the World Darts Championship

Littler (L) posted a video of himself online imitating Cena when he was younger, walking out to the iconic track ‘The Time Is Now’

After hearing the story, WWE reached out to Littler online, extending a special invite to the darts player to come to the WWE Live in London on April 19.

The organisation wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ‘We heard #WrestleMania 33 inspired your entrance music on @BBCR1, so you’re officially invited to @TheO2 on April 19 when WWE rolls through London. We might even hit @Pitbull’s “Greenlight” for you!’

Earlier this week, Littler replied to their message accepting the invite tagging Cena and Pitbull in his message on X: ‘Throw back to #Wrestlemania33 sounds good to me see you April 19 @TheO2 #Greenlight.’

He also posted two videos of himself as a kid. One showed him bopping his head while singing along to ‘Greenlight’ at Wrestlemania 33, while the second showed him imitating John Cena’s walk-out song.

The video showed him walking into a room wearing a pair of sunglasses, with Cena’s walkout music ‘The Time is Now’ also playing. He was also videoed waving around a WWE belt.

Cena subsequently responded to the clip, posting a picture of Littler during the World Darts Championship on his Instagram with no caption.

Littler also posted a clip of himself at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017 singing along to ‘Greenlight’

He enjoyed a sensational debut at the PDC World Darts Championship making it to the final but suffered a defeat by Luke Humphries

The Warrington-based darts player has subsequently been named as one of the eight players to compete in this year’s Premier League darts campaign

Littler subsequently added the photo to his Instagram story, acknowledging the post.

The darts sensation, was meanwhile, included in the eight-man line up for this year’s Premier League Darts campaign after stealing the show at Alexandra Palace.

The event gets underway at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on Thursday February 1, with a million pound prize pot on offer, with the winner set to claim £275,000.

Equally the winner of each of the 16 nights leading up to that can take home a prize of £10,000.

Littler will be joined by several big stars from the world of darts, including Luke Humphries, who beat him 7-4 in the final at Alexandra Palace. Michael van Gerwen and Michael Smith will also compete, alongside Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright.