John Cena is reportedly behind a $40,000 donation to Shad Gaspard's family after his tragic death. 

The ex-WWE star was swept out to sea last Sunday and his body was found on a Los Angeles beach three days later. 

In the days following Shad's passing, tributes poured in and a GoFundMe page was set up to help support his family and ease costs for the funeral and other expenses. 

Their original target of $100,000 has already been smashed, with over $136,000 raised by Monday morning. 

It's being reported by TMZ and The Sun that Cena alone contributed $40,000 to the fundraiser.

The massive donation was made anonymously and appeared on the page as 'CTC RIP'.

The donation appeared under 'CTC RIP'

TMZ suggest that it's a cryptic reference to WWE's short-lived Cryme Tyme Cenation tag team, which featured Cena, Gaspard and Jason Anthony Paul (JTG) in 2008.

The same report also claims that the 16-time world champion was very close to Shad and that he told people 'he wanted to do something to pay tribute to his pal'. 

Cena was part of the CTC tag team for a short time

Cena later appeared to drop a hint that he was behind the donation, by uploading an Instagram photo of the CTC vandalising John Bradshaw Layfield's limo on RAW.  

He isn't the only big name to donate to Gaspard's family, either. 

AEW stars Chris Jericho, Cody and Brandi Rhodes, as well as founder Tony Khan, have all pledged money. 

Shad's tragic passing rocked the wrestling world, but the 39-year-old will be remembered as a hero. 

Shad saved his son's life before passing away

His final act before being swept away was throwing his son to a lifeguard, saving his life.  

Rest in peace, Shad.