John Cena has openly stated that he feels no guilt or shame about his friendship with Vince McMahon. In a recent interview with Sasha Mistlin of The Guardian, while promoting Matchbox: The Movie, Cena affirmed, “I have no guilt nor shame about my friendship and my relationship with Vince McMahon,” and added, “It’s OK to love somebody when they’re not perfect.”
The Guardian portrays McMahon as a mentor who supported Cena’s career and provided him with a second family during his wrestling road years in the 2000s. McMahon stepped down as executive chairman of WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, in January 2024, after former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a federal lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and trafficking, allegations he denies. The lawsuit has since moved from federal court to private arbitration.
Cena’s recent statement marks at least the fifth time he has been questioned about McMahon since the lawsuit surfaced, and his stance has remained consistent. Past comments include:
- March 2023, The Associated Press: After McMahon’s return to WWE’s board post-Wall Street Journal reports on hush-money payments, Cena said, “There’s no way I can go on record and say I don’t love Vince McMahon.”
- February 2024, The Howard Stern Show: Shortly after the lawsuit was filed, Cena expressed, “I’m a big advocate of love and friendship and honesty, and communication… I’m also a big advocate of accountability.”
- April 2025, The New York Times: Before WrestleMania 41, Cena stated, “I don’t care who hears it: I love Vince… when I love somebody, I love them wholeheartedly.”
- May 2025, Us Weekly: On reactions to the Times interview, Cena said, “I’m not surprised about any of that.”
- October 2026, The Guardian: Reiterated, “I have no guilt nor shame.”
Cena is not alone in his positive remarks about McMahon after the allegations became public. Former WWE star JBL, speaking on Something to Wrestle in July, also mentioned that he still considers McMahon a friend while acknowledging he cannot comment on the case itself. JBL said he had no knowledge of the allegations and admitted the possibility they might be true. He commended McMahon for transforming a regional wrestling territory into a global powerhouse.
Neither Cena nor JBL have challenged the specifics of Grant’s accusations. JBL commented, “People are obviously going to take me to task over that. That’s fine.” Cena retired from active wrestling in December 2025 after a match loss to Gunther, and Matchbox: The Movie is set to premiere on Apple TV on October 9.
Historically, Cena’s comments align with how other wrestlers who were close to McMahon have described their relationships with him. Legends like Bret Hart, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Shawn Michaels all maintained personal bonds with McMahon beyond a typical employer-employee dynamic, often highlighting loyalty despite controversies. McMahon’s close association with top stars helped shape their careers, a dynamic evident in Cena’s decade-long prominence. Still, this loyalty does not absolve McMahon of alleged misconduct but helps explain Cena’s unwavering support.
Fan Take: This matter is significant for wrestling fans because it highlights the complicated personal and professional bonds within the wrestling industry, even amid serious allegations. How top stars reconcile these relationships affects WWE’s legacy and could influence the sport’s future culture and leadership.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
