Ford sues pro wrestler John Cena for reselling his 2017 GT supercar

Ford Motor Co. is laying the legal smack down on WWE star John Cena.

The automaker on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the pro wrestler after Cena resold his 2017 Liquid Blue Ford GT supercar less than a month after owning it, breaking a contract that said the vehicle couldn't be flipped until two years after purchase.

Ford is seeking damages in excess of $75,000. It wants to buy back the vehicle for the price Cena paid ($463,376.50) and is seeking whatever profit Cena made off it.

"Upon information and belief, Mr. Cena has unfairly made a large profit from the unauthorized resale flip of the vehicle, and Ford has suffered additional damages and losses, including, but not limited to, loss of brand value, ambassador activity, and customer goodwill due to the improper sale," the automaker said in the lawsuit.

Ford last April instituted a rigorous application process for the first 500 supercars, which cost about $450,000 each. Ford at the time made clear that it would favor current GT owners as well as celebrities and influencers to ensure the cars would be seen and driven rather than stored in a museum or resold at high markups.

The lawsuit said Ford considered "each applicant's interest in Ford cars, specifically the GT and in collectible cars generally, each applicant's relationship with Ford, if any, and each applicant's involvement in the motorsports community, if any."

Cena completed his application on or about April 14, the lawsuit said. He reportedly said that the GT would go "to an owner who truly deserved it and would care properly for the car," and included photos and videos of himself promoting high-end cars.

Cena was approved, and paid for the vehicle in two installments, the last coming on Sept. 21. His vehicle was delivered to Elder Ford in Tampa, Fla., on Sept. 23.

Shortly thereafter, he recorded a four-minute video for his vlog, "John Cena: Auto Geek," in which he drives the GT out from the dealership.

He sold the car a few weeks later, the lawsuit says,"to liquidate for cash to take care of expenses."

Ford contacted him about it, and he allegedly apologized, saying "I completely understand and as stated am willing to work with you and Ford to make it right."

Cena is among a host of high-profile celebrities to get the supercar. Others include Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, who posted a photo on Twitter earlier this month of his car. It's Ingot Silver with a white racing stripe.

Ford's top executives, including Chairman Bill Ford and President of Global Operations Joe Hinrichs have GTs. Former CEO Mark Fields is among the lucky buyers, too.

The three all chose the red-white-blue racing livery for their vehicles.