John Cena is preparing for retirement from the WWE after more than two decades in the ring, and for the first time, he’s opened up about the emotional weight behind that decision.
In a wide-ranging People Sports exclusive, Cena reflected on the end of his wrestling career, his relationship with wife Shay Shariatzadeh, and how both love and age have reshaped his priorities.
“Age plays a factor,” he conceded.
“I’m not as strong or as fast as I used to be. I made a promise when I started gaining some notoriety that when I’m a step slower, I will go, because there will be kids just as hungry as I was who have earned a shot to see if they can make it.”
Cena will take part in a farewell tour over the next few months. He called it a chance for fans to get “closure,” and said they’ve shaped every step of his career.
“They’re the reason for my optimism, my perseverance, my passion,” he said. “They don’t let you get away with phoning it in, because they’ll eat you alive.”
He also spoke about love, marriage, and finding balance with wife Shay Shariatzadeh.
“My health and my dedication to my partner are the tip of my spear in life right now.
“So I think every time I go out [in the ring], I just want to make sure I’m able to give my all, but it’s time to step away.”
Cena said the couple make time for what matters, even with busy schedules. That includes full recovery days, often spent together.
“The days I need rest, I rest.
“That may include 16 hours of sleep, and then I’m going to eat junk food, sit on the couch with the arm around the one I love, we’re going to watch whatever we want or nothing at all.”
He also admitted that public scrutiny, especially around aging, still gets to him.
“Gosh, these photo shoots are tough.
“Because the voice inside me is like, ‘I’m not cool enough, and someone’s telling me how to look cool.’ So I’m scared of that.
“I’m scared of this interview, because I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
That vulnerability extended to how he handled hair loss.
“They pushed me into going to see what my options were.
“I now have a routine: red-light therapy, minoxidil, vitamins, shampoo, conditioner, and I also got a hair transplant last November.”
“I hate the fact that if there wasn’t so much shame around it, I’d have gotten it done 10 years ago. It completely changed the course of my life.”
Cena said the experience even helped him as an actor. He feels more confident, more flexible, and more open to change.
Looking ahead, he’s not chasing the spotlight. He just wants to live well.
“I hope to remain curious and healthy, and that’s physically, spiritually, mentally.
“As long as I have love, health and curiosity for what life has to offer, I think it’ll work out.”
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