WWE legend John Cena has proven himself to be a champion away from the ring with a lovely gesture for an army veteran.

The 16-time world title holder, a joint-record with Ric Flair, is set for his first match in over a year at WrestleMania 36 – despite it being in front of an empty arena due to the coronavirus outbreak.

John Cena surprised a former US military veteran by paying for his shopping and then posing for a selfie during a trip to the supermarket.

However, the wrestling icon and now Hollywood superstar caused a slam away from the WWE and Tinsel Town spotlight on Monday.

Vietnam veteran Charles “Bud” Phillips was grabbing supplies at a Publix supermarket in Land O’ Lakes, Florida, when the big surprise occurred.

Just as he was about to pay for his groceries, up stepped the 42-year-old Cena to take care of the bill – and then he posed for a selfie with the ex-military man.

The picture of the powerhouse and former soldier soon went viral after it was posted on Reddit.

And Charles’ daughter, Stefanie Phillips, later explained to ET Online how the heartwarming moment unfolded.

John Cena will return to WWE at WrestleMania on April 5.

She said: “My dad was behind him in the checkout line. They were chatting and John thanked my dad for his service [after] seeing his SeaBees hat.

“John secretly paid for all of his groceries. My dad didn’t even know until he was being checked out and the cashier said, ‘John paid for your groceries.’ The bill was around $100.”

Stefanie added: “My dad is a retired Vietnam veteran [and] a widow. We lost my mom five years ago unexpectedly [after] they were married almost 50 years. So, as you can imagine, not too much these days make him smile as big as he did in that picture.

“That’s what is so special about this moment. A simple act of kindness brightened his day. Along with his family seeing that smile on his face!”

“He’s a stay-home, cook-from-scratch kind of guy. He loves to cook.

“So, going to the grocery store to gather ingredients is his get-outta-the-house event these days.”

Cena’s last match came in January 2019 when he, Baron Corbin and Drew McIntyre were defeated by Finn Balor in a Fatal Fourway to determine the No.1 contender for Brock Lesnar’s Universal Title.

Now his next match has officially been confirmed after he was challenged by Bray Wyatt for a one-on-one clash at the Showcase of the Immortals on April 5.