Future WWE Hall of Famer John Cena has often commented on his relationship with former WWE chairman Vince McMahon, including saying back in April that he didn't care who heard it, but he loves his former boss, even following allegations of sex trafficking and assault by McMahon brought forth in a January 2024 civil lawsuit by former WWE employee Janel Grant.Hewas also amongst the stars who attended McMahon's 80th birthday back in August.
Cena recently appeared on an episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience," and openly talked about McMahon and how his former boss would be an excellent guest on the show, but also said that he had learned to be more accountable for what he said.
"Just because I feel a certain way about a person doesn't exonerate them for being accountable for their actions," Cena said. "Just because he did start, quote, unquote, all this 'gangster s***,' that doesn't mean he doesn't need to be accountable for his actions. So, let's figure out what that means, and then figure out if we can move forward and bring that back in the fold, or if it stays the way it is."
When speaking about "gangster s***," Cena was referring to McMahon building WWE into what it is today, with the "gangster" phrase being used by comedian, and WWE super fan,Tony Hinchcliffe, who also appeared on the podcast alongside Cena and Rogan.Cena reiterated another point of the comedian's, and said, "I'm me because of him," when speaking about McMahon and his contributions to the business.
When Hinchcliffe revealed his dream guests from the professional wrestling world, he named McMahon, and Cena said that he believed his friend would love to do the "Joe Rogan Experience."He said that he wasn't sure when the right time would be, however, due to the "fragile stuff going on."The "Leader of the Cenation" also said that despite Rogan feeling like something would happen to bring McMahon back in, he was out of the business. McMahon left WWE for a second time in January 2024, following the sale of the company to Endeavor the previous year.
"We were talking about, 'Why's your last event in this place?' Because I don't choose the events," Cena said. "All that stuff is so far above me, but I know now he's out. In my eyes, I'd like to think time heals everything and I believe in forgiveness, and I also believe in like, looking at the body of work, and I also know there's a lot of fragile stuff going on there. I don't know, man. I don't know."
Rumors have flown online about McMahon possibly attending Cena's last match at Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13 from Washington, DC, the city where his father, Vincent J. McMahon, started the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, which would later become the World Wide Wrestling Federation. Neither WWE or Cena have confirmed that McMahon will be in attendance, either backstage or in the crowd, at the event.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "Joe Rogan Experience" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
