John Cena speaks out on Vince McMahon's responsibility for his actions

John Cena, who is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, has frequently spoken about his bond with former WWE chairman Vince McMahon. Back in April, Cena openly expressed his admiration for McMahon, despite allegations of sexual misconduct and trafficking raised in a January 2024 civil lawsuit by former WWE employee Janel Grant. Cena was also among the attendees of McMahon's 80th birthday celebration in August.

During a recent appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience, Cena discussed McMahon's potential as a podcast guest and emphasized the importance of accountability. "Just because I feel a certain way about a person doesn't exonerate them for being accountable for their actions," Cena explained. He further clarified that McMahon's role in building WWE into its current form does not exempt him from responsibility for his conduct. "Let's figure out what that means, and then determine if we can move forward or leave it as it is," he added.

The term "gangster" was mentioned by comedian and WWE fan Tony Hinchcliffe, who appeared on the podcast with Cena. It referred to McMahon's bold and aggressive approach to shaping WWE. Cena acknowledged McMahon's influence on his own career, stating, "I'm me because of him."

Hinchcliffe listed McMahon among his dream wrestling podcast guests, and Cena expressed confidence that McMahon would enjoy appearing on the show, though the timing is uncertain due to delicate circumstances surrounding him. Cena acknowledged McMahons departure from WWE in January 2024 after the companys sale to Endeavor, noting the complexities involved. "In my eyes, I'd like to think time heals everything, and I believe in forgiveness," Cena said, while recognizing the sensitive nature of the situation.

Speculation has arisen about McMahon attending Cenas final match at Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13 in Washington, DC, the city where his father founded what would become WWE. No official confirmation has been made regarding his attendance, either in the arena or backstage.

Author: Riley Thompson