John recently spoke while promoting Matchbox: The Movie, an Apple TV film based on the Mattel toy car brand. He had already retired from wrestling after 26 years in the business. During the conversation, he presented himself as a person who values respect, loyalty and discipline, qualities that have shaped both his personal life and professional career.
One of the most difficult subjects surrounding Cena is his friendship with Vince McMahon. McMahon was his mentor and played a major role in helping him become one of WWE’s biggest stars. McMahon resigned from WWE and TKO Group Holdings in January 2024 after facing sexual assault allegations and lawsuits. He has denied the allegations, while the legal dispute involving McMahon, WWE and Janel Grant was later moved to private arbitration.
Despite the controversy, Cena has refused to distance himself from McMahon. He has said he feels no shame about their friendship and continues to describe their relationship in positive terms. For Cena, loyalty appears to be a personal principle rather than something he changes because circumstances become difficult.
Cena grew up in West Newbury, Massachusetts, in a family where money was limited. He was one of five brothers, and his grandparents lived next door. His childhood was influenced by action stars such as Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Willis, while hip-hop also became a major interest. His style sometimes made him a target for bullies, which pushed him toward bodybuilding.
In 1999, Cena moved to California with roughly $500 and began chasing his bodybuilding ambitions. He worked at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach for six dollars an hour and even spent some time sleeping in his car. A wrestler he met at the gym introduced him to the wrestling business, and Cena eventually made his WWF debut in 2000 as The Prototype.
His early wrestling career was far from glamorous. Cena earned about $250 per week and fell into debt, but he believed the opportunity could eventually lead to something much bigger. That gamble paid off as he developed into one of the most recognisable performers in WWE history. Cena spent 24 years as a WWE superstar and describes that period as a form of service.
Cena acknowledges that WWE sometimes faces criticism for its decisions. But he finds it difficult to separate himself from a company and industry he believes in.
…Explains Why He Chose Not to Have Children Despite His Successful Career
John Cena has also made some important choices to say no. One of those choices is having children. Cena has explained that raising a family would demand more time and attention than he could give while maintaining his current lifestyle and career.
From 2002 to 2015, Cena says he was at home for only around 15 days each year. Even now, he estimates that he spends about 70 days at home. He believes becoming a father would mean giving up many of the other commitments that matter to him. His decision also played a major role in the end of his relationship with wrestler Nikki Bella. The couple became engaged in 2017, but their relationship ended in 2018 after disagreements over having children. Cena had undergone a vasectomy but was willing to reverse it before they eventually separated.
Cena says he is happy with the life he has chosen. His work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation is an important part of that life, and he has granted more than 650 wishes, the most by anyone. He believes being without children has helped him dedicate time to those experiences. He has also said that he values the private relationship he shares with his wife, Shay Shariatzadeh.
Cena married Shariatzadeh in 2020 after meeting her in Vancouver while he was working on a film. The couple had been together for only about a year before getting married, although Cena has said he knew very quickly that he wanted to propose. He prefers keeping much of his personal life away from public attention and does not feel the need for everyone to know him beyond his public image.
Matchbox: The Movie is scheduled to premiere on Apple TV on October 9.
FAQs
Q. Who was John Cena’s mentor in WWE?
A. Vince McMahon was his mentor.
Q. When did John Cena make his WWF debut?
A. Cena made his debut in 2000 as The Prototype.
Q. Why did John Cena choose not to have children?
A. Cena felt raising children would require more time than he could give.
Q. Who is John Cena’s wife?
A. His wife is Shay Shariatzadeh.
Q. When will Matchbox: The Movie premiere?
A. It will premiere on Apple TV on October 9.
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