Vince McMahon voluntarily stepped down as chairman and CEO of WWE on June 17, 2022, pending an internal investigation into his hush money scandal and allegations of sexual misconduct with female employees.
On January 6, 2023, Mr. McMahon returned to WWE’s Board Of Directors and assumed the role of executive Chairman just four days later.
AP News recently spoke to John Cena about his upcoming match against Austin Theory at WrestleMania 39, a potential WWE sale, and his relationship with Vince McMahon following the sexual assault allegations.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On why he’s feuding with Austin Theory for WrestleMania: “You would be surprised at my answer. Because that’s what I was told would happen. I don’t do that. I don’t say, I want to do this. I want to work with that person. I don’t ever do that. I’ve never done that. I just try and do what I’m told to do and do it to the best of my abilities. Instead of dictating my terms, I often just try to make the performance the best it can be. What I don’t do and what I’ve never done is curate the direction of the narrative. I don’t pick opponents, but I love to tell stories. I didn’t pick Austin Theory but I certainly spoke from the heart (on RAW).”
John Cena on a possible sale of the WWE: “That’s way above my paygrade. I just don’t know what’s going on with that. I love Vince McMahon. He’s everything you could want in a great friend, business partner, father, mentor. I love the man. But his business dealings are his business and what he shares with me, that’s between us. But I don’t know what’s going on with the corporate structure in the WWE or the creative direction of the WWE. But when I’m there as a performer, it’s (WWE champion) Roman Reigns’ show. In my mind, he needs to be in the conversation, and in my mind, he’s the greatest of all time.”
Cena on if he has difficulty reconciling his feelings for McMahon following the misconduct allegations: “No. I mean, everyone has the right to have their perspective. I have the right to have mine. When you love somebody, you take them as imperfectly perfect as they are. We all make mistakes, we all have poor decisions. Lord knows I’ve made my collection of poor choices. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to love somebody. There’s no way I can go on record and say I don’t love Vince McMahon.”
