McMahon’s sexual misconduct allegations were brought up during the interview.
Over the summer of 2022, Vince McMahon resigned from his role as Chairman and CEO of WWE in the midst of sexual misconduct and assault allegations that arose/resurfaced.
In January of this year, McMahon was voted back onto WWE’s Board of Directors and elected as the Executive Chairman.
The Associated Press conducted a Q&A with John Cena, who is back with WWE to face Austin Theory for the United States Championship at WrestleMania 39. Cena was asked has it been hard to reconcile the feelings he has for McMahon considering the allegations that are out there. He explained that everyone has the right to their own perspective, but he would never go on record and say he does not love Vince.
No (it is not hard to reconcile the feelings I have for Vince McMahon with the allegations against him). 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.
He was questioned about the potential of WWE being sold. Cena stated that-that is above his paygrade and does not know what is going on regarding that. He said McMahon’s business dealings is his own business and what they share with each other remains private.
Cena said whenever he is at WWE, it is Roman Reigns’ show and he feels Reigns needs to be in those conversations and is the greatest of all-time.
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 Roman Reigns’ show. In my mind, he needs to be in the conversation, and in my mind, he’s the greatest of all time.
On the topic of Austin Theory, he said he was told that’s where he would be going story-wise when he came back. Cena stated that he does not try to dictate his terms and he’s never done that.
He closed by saying he does not pick opponents, but he loves telling stories. He did not pick Austin Theory but he certainly spoke from the heart during their segment on Raw.
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).
Cena versus Theory is one of eight matches currently scheduled for WrestleMania 39 and those bouts are listed below:
Night One (April 1st)
– Logan Paul vs. Seth Rollins
Night Two (April 2nd)
– Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) (w/ Paul Heyman) vs. Cody Rhodes
Date TBA
– SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
– Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair (c) vs. Asuka
– Brock Lesnar vs. Omos (w/ MVP)
– WWE United States Championship: Austin Theory (c) vs. John Cena
– Trish Stratus, Lita & Becky Lynch vs. Damage CTRL (Bayley, IYO SKY & Dakota Kai)
– Hell in a Cell Match: Finn Balor vs. Edge
