John Cena is standing firm in his support of Vince McMahon – even if the internet isn’t thrilled about it.
The WWE legend, who’s currently doing a farewell tour before retiring from wrestling in December 2025, is once again catching heat for saying he still “loves” the man who gave him his big break. But despite the backlash, Cena’s not backing down.
In a new interview with Us Weekly, the 48-year-old wrestler-turned-Hollywood-star addressed the controversy surrounding his continued public support of the former WWE boss. McMahon, now 79, is facing a mountain of serious allegations, including sexual misconduct, infidelity cover-ups, and a high-profile sex trafficking lawsuit filed earlier this year. Still, Cena’s connection to him runs deep.
“Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” Cena said when asked about the criticism. “Just like I’m entitled to have an emotional connection to somebody.” He made it clear that he’s not here to tell anyone how to feel – but no one’s going to dictate how he feels either. “I don’t hold anybody or how they feel or what they view as permissible or things that’ll make them angry, happy, excited, or sad. That’s their right as a human being.”
Cena also admitted he’s not shocked by the blowback. After all, this isn’t the first time he’s spoken openly about his loyalty to McMahon. Just last month, he told The New York Times in no uncertain terms, “I don’t care who hears it: I love Vince.” He added that his love doesn’t mean he’s ignoring the legal mess – he just separates the personal from the public chaos. “I’m not downplaying anything that needs to be decided or allegations of any kind, but when I love somebody, I love them wholeheartedly.”
That quote set off a social media firestorm, with many fans calling Cena out for being tone-deaf. But in his mind, personal relationships don’t get erased by public scandals, no matter how explosive. “They can’t put their value on my relationship with somebody I love,” he told the Times.
For context, McMahon’s current legal nightmare stems from a Wall Street Journal report back in 2022 that claimed he paid out $12 million over 16 years to bury multiple accusations of sexual misconduct and infidelity. And in January 2024, former WWE employee Janel Grant hit him with a bombshell lawsuit, accusing him of sex trafficking and sexual assault.
McMahon has repeatedly denied all the allegations. His spokesperson called the lawsuit “replete with lies” and a “vindictive distortion of the truth,” vowing that he will “vigorously defend himself.”
Still, Cena’s unwavering support is rubbing many fans the wrong way – especially since he remains one of WWE’s most beloved and influential faces. But if you expected him to start distancing himself now, think again. Cena seems determined to end his wrestling career on his terms, loyalty and all. Whether that costs him goodwill with fans remains to be seen.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
