Regardless of whether you think WWE wrestling is sport, there’s no doubt those who enter the ring to entertain are athletes. That’s why we’re bringing you this very real video of WWE superstar John Cena reacting to fans who sent him personal messages about how he’s inspired them over the years.

But, Cena’s reaction while reading is just the beginning. That’s because Cricket Wireless arranged for the fans to be in the back room waiting for the wrestler to finish reading their notes so they could surprise him in person.

“Thank you for changing my life,” one fan wrote. “In 2011, I was left for dead after getting hit by a car. I woke up in the hospital, the doctor told me I would never wrestle again, let alone walk. One thing I learned from you was to never give up…”

“You have heard thousands of times, but you deserve to hear a thousand more. ‘Thank you,’ another fan penned. “By the time I was 19 years old, I had lost both of my parents. ‘Never give up.’ Those words repeated in my head because you were my light in a decade of darkness.”

Cena got emotional while reading the letters in front of the camera, and then was completely caught off guard when the fans entered the room one-by-one.

Then, he composed himself and said, “Just remember that you guys do the work, and I mean that. Don’t think you’re the only one up against it, and don’t think you’re the only one who has challenges to face everyday. We all lead by example…”

Take a look: