John Cena has become one of WWE’s most iconic superstars, famous for his “Never Give Up” mantra and his signature catchphrase, “You Can’t See Me.” His impact goes beyond wrestling, establishing him as a global star in Hollywood and philanthropy.
During his WWE career, Cena has dated several fellow wrestlers, both on-screen and in real life. While some relationships were scripted for WWE storylines, others developed into genuine romances. Here’s a look at the WWE Divas he has been involved with off-screen.
John Cena and Nikki Bella
John Cena and fellow WWE Superstar Nikki Bella had one of the most high-profile relationships in wrestling. As WWE’s power couple, their romance unfolded on reality shows Total Divas and Total Bellas. They dated for nearly six years before Cena proposed to Nikki at WrestleMania 33 in 2017.
However, they split in 2018, just months before their scheduled wedding. Nikki later found love with professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev, whom she married and shares a son with.
AJ Lee
John Cena and AJ Lee’s relationship was mainly part of an on-screen storyline. In late 2012, Vickie Guerrero fueled controversy by spreading rumors about their alleged romance. Although it was scripted, Cena and AJ’s chemistry made it one of WWE’s most talked-about storylines at the time.
The angle took a dramatic turn when AJ betrayed Cena and joined forces with Dolph Ziggler. This betrayal sparked an intense rivalry, which led to Cena embarrassing AJ and Ziggler during a New Year’s Eve segment on RAW in 2013.
Despite the on-screen drama, no confirmed evidence suggests that Cena and AJ Lee were romantically involved in real life.
Victoria (Lisa Marie Varon)
In the mid-2000s, rumors spread that Cena was dating Victoria, a former WWE Women’s Champion. Former WWE Superstar Kenny Dykstra even claimed that Victoria was Cena’s “road girlfriend.”
Victoria later addressed these rumors in a 2012 interview with F4WOnline, confirming that she and Cena had a brief relationship. However, she clarified that it took place much earlier, in 2002, when they were both in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).
“I dated John Cena for about a month. It wasn’t in 2006 or 2007—it was in 2002 when we were both in Louisville. At the time, I was married but separated, while John Cena was single. I was never his ‘road girlfriend,’” Victoria explained.
Mickie James
In the mid-2000s, rumors circulated about John Cena’s alleged relationship with Mickie James. Reports suggested they were romantically involved between 2006 and 2007, a claim that gained attention when Mickie’s ex-fiancé, Kenny Dykstra, publicly addressed it.
Their rumored breakup supposedly created tension, and Mickie eventually left WWE following an unflattering storyline with LayCool. In 2017, she spoke about her past with Cena, stating there were no issues between them when she returned to the company.
“We’re all adults, and obviously this business is what it is. We’ve all had our share of relationships that didn’t work out. I think being adults and professionals, we can move forward,” Mickie said, as quoted by Wrestling Inc.
Currently, Mickie James is not under contract with WWE but maintains a working relationship with the company through WWE LFG. Meanwhile, her husband, Nick Aldis, appears as SmackDown’s on-screen general manager.
Who is John Cena dating now?
John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh are happily married. They first exchanged vows in a private ceremony in Florida on October 12, 2020, and later celebrated with a second wedding in Vancouver in July 2022. Their relationship began in 2019 when they met in Canada while Cena was filming Playing with Fire, and they have been inseparable ever since.
Cena actively maintains their privacy, prioritizing Shay’s safety and keeping their personal life low-key.
