Actor John Cena faced a "humiliation ritual" during the Oscars when he was forced to go out on stage wearing nothing but a cardboard sign, social media users claim.

The startling incident took everyone by surprise at the awards ceremony Sunday night, with the former WWE wrestler waddling up to the microphone holding a sign presenting the best costume design award.

The stunt was immediately panned online as an "Illuminati ritual," with many asserting Cena was being purposely humiliated in order to demonstrate his fealty to the ruling class.