John Cena says he feels no shame over his continued friendship with Vince McMahon despite the serious allegations made against the former WWE Chairman.
Speaking to The Guardian in a wide-ranging profile published on Sunday, Cena discussed his longstanding loyalty to WWE and the relationship he maintains with the man who helped oversee his rise to become the company’s biggest star.
“I have no guilt nor shame about my friendship and my relationship with Vince McMahon,” Cena said.
He acknowledged that his position would attract attention but presented it as consistent with his broader belief in loyalty, adding: “It’s OK to love somebody when they’re not perfect.”
McMahon resigned as executive chairman of TKO Group Holdings in January 2024, one day after former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a federal lawsuit accusing him of sexual assault and sex trafficking.
Grant alleged that McMahon sexually abused her while she worked for WWE, distributed sexually explicit material involving her without her consent, and used her for sexual purposes involving other men.
An amended complaint filed in 2025 detailed further allegations against McMahon and WWE. McMahon denied Grant’s claims, previously describing them through his representatives as false and defamatory.
The public litigation ended in July when Grant, McMahon and WWE agreed to move their dispute into private arbitration. Grant’s federal lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice while preserving the parties’ ability to pursue their claims and defenses in arbitration.
Cena told the Guardian that McMahon had been both a mentor and an important personal figure during his years on the road with WWE.
His comments form part of a broader discussion about the loyalty Cena continues to show toward the company after retiring from in-ring competition last December.
Cena characterized his 24-year run as a WWE performer as a form of service and said he accepted the demands and trade-offs involved in becoming one of the promotion’s central figures.
That includes WWE and parent company TKO retaining an ownership interest in the intellectual property surrounding the John Cena character, despite Cena performing under his real name.
Cena told the newspaper he understood the agreement and considers WWE entitled to its share after investing heavily in building and promoting his character over the course of his career.
He also addressed criticism WWE has received for its business decisions, including staging major events in Saudi Arabia. Cena said his belief in WWE does not mean such issues are always easy to reconcile, but he continues to view the promotion as capable of reaching audiences across cultural and political divisions.
Cena wrestled his final match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025.
He has remained connected to WWE since retiring, making occasional appearances and working under a multi-year agreement as a brand ambassador. Earlier this year, Cena said he was attempting to establish a more integrated WWE role away from active competition.
The Guardian interview was conducted as Cena promotes his latest film, Matchbox: The Movie.
