WWE's John Cena On Vince McMahon: 'It's OK To Love Somebody When They're Not Perfect'

WWE megastar John Cena has adamantly defended his friendship with former boss, and former chairman of WWE, Vince McMahon, amidst McMahon's legal issues in recent years, including a civil lawsuit filed against him by former WWE employee Janel Grant, alleging sex trafficking. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Cena once again went to bat for his mentor, and said he felt "no guilt nor shame" about their relationship.

Cena outwardly told The Guardian during the interview he knew they were going to include the statement in the story. The outlet noted that Cena, who it called a "company man," took a hard stance "in the face of something so damaging," as the world champion-turned-Hollywood star continued speaking about McMahon.

"It's OK to love somebody when they're not perfect," Cena said.

While McMahon wasn't present for Cena's retirement tour throughout 2025, "The Never Seen 17" touted the former chairman throughout it, including just before his retirement match against GUNTHER. Cena told Bill Simmons that what was happening with McMahon was "unfortunate" as McMahon had much left to offer in the wrestling world and they could no longer "pull from that well." Cena told Joe Rogan that while McMahon should be held accountable for his actions, he also believes that "time heals all wounds."

The civil lawsuit, which Grant filed in January 2024, went to arbitration in July. The initial lawsuit led to McMahon's second, and final departure, from WWE at the beginning of 2024. The chairman first retired in July 2022 after an investigative report from the Wall Street Journal was published, which looked into a series of hush money payments paid by McMahon to silence female employees. He worked his way back into the company to set up its merger with UFC to create TKO Group Holdings.