John Cena was upfront with his wife, Shay Shariatzadeh, from the very beginning about his decision not to have children. In a candid conversation on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast, the professional wrestler and actor revealed how he navigated these potentially uncomfortable discussions early in their relationship.
“I started with a few uncomfortable conversations,” Cena, 47, shared with host Shannon Sharpe. “These were first or second date questions with my now-wife.” By addressing these challenging topics head-on, Cena and Shariatzadeh were able to build a strong foundation based on honesty and mutual understanding.
He emphasized that their relationship thrives on open communication, with nothing being too uncomfortable to discuss. “Nothing is off the table with us,” Cena said. “Nothing is too uncomfortable to be unapproachable. Starting off with a conversation about what the definition of our family is helped us forge a path together as a team.”
Cena encouraged listeners to embrace these difficult conversations in their own relationships, assuring them that “there is somebody out there for everyone who has the same values,” even if finding that person can be challenging at first.
This isn’t the first time Cena has spoken about his views on parenthood. In a 2022 appearance on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” he admitted that he lacked the “passion” for fatherhood and reiterated this sentiment during his interview with Sharpe. “I don’t think I’m personally ready nor will I ever be to invest the time it needs to make a great parent. I want to live life,” he explained. “I still have a lot to do.”
Cena clarified that this decision wasn’t made lightly or impulsively. “This is not a knee-jerk reaction,” he said. “I’ve thought long and hard about this since I was a teenager.” However, he acknowledged that he’s had moments of doubt, particularly during emotionally challenging times, such as his highly publicized split from Nikki Bella.
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After getting engaged to Bella in 2017, Cena had even offered to reverse his vasectomy so they could start a family together. Despite this, Bella ultimately decided to end the relationship in 2018, concerned that he might later regret having children just to please her.
Reflecting on that period, Cena shared that he’s learned valuable lessons from his past. “I’ve learned from getting knocked off the bike,” he said. But rather than dwelling on the past, Cena expressed gratitude for where his life has taken him. “That’s OK. I love love. Time to get back up and go find it again. … I’m very happy with where I stand. I have a lot of joy and fulfillment in my life.”
After parting ways with Bella, Cena met Shariatzadeh in 2019, and the couple married the following year in Florida, followed by a second ceremony in Canada in 2021.
As for Nikki Bella, she has also found happiness. The 40-year-old is now married to “Dancing With the Stars” pro Artem Chigvintsev, and they share a son, Matteo.
