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Topics: John Cena, Celebrity, Celebrity News, Parenting, WWE
Olivia Burke
Topics: John Cena, Celebrity, Celebrity News, Parenting, WWE
John Cena has revealed why he believes it would be 'irresponsible' of him to have children.
The professional wrestler has never really been interested in becoming a parent and even previously underwent a vasectomy to ensure there weren't any slip-ups.
He did offer to get it reversed during his six-year relationship with fellow WWE star Nikki Bella, but the couple ended up calling off their engagement before any kids appeared.
Cena, 48, has since got hitched to Iranian-born engineer Shay Shariatzadeh, however, he still doesn't intend on starting a family with her.
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He previously explained that he had a series of 'uncomfortable conversations' with his spouse of five years about his stance on having children in the early stages of their relationship.
During an appearance on Shannon Sharpe's podcast Club Shay Shay last year, Cena said: "I don’t want them. I don’t have them. I have a certain curiosity about life.
"And I also know the investment that it takes. And my biggest fear is...I don’t think, I'm personally ready, nor will I ever be, to invest the time it needs to be a great parent."
He said he brought these feelings up to Shariatzadeh during their first dates and discovered that she 'shares the same values'.
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"It was great because we both got to lean into these uncomfortable moments, address this stuff and build a foundation," Cena continued.
"Those conversations have helped me personally, and her, forge a path together as a team."
He explained he was still a teenager when he first realised that he didn't see fatherhood in his future, and all these years later, he still feels the same.
The Trainwreck star opened up about the reasoning behind his decision during an appearance at Fan Expo Boston 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts, last month.
While taking questions from fans, one member of the audience asked him whether he was 'looking forward to having kids'.
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"Currently no," Cena replied. "From the information that I’ve gathered, you've kinda gotta look after them," he joked.
The wrestler really missed an opportunity to use his infamous 'you can't see me' catchphrase here - as he essentially explained that his mini me's wouldn't see a lot of him if they existed.
"I will just give you a small insight into my life," Cena said. "I have been working straight for 43 days now, and I’ve got another 20 to go.
"So if I were to bring a life into this world that needs environmental nurture and unconditional love, I also know that takes time.
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"I’ve been blessed with some incredible opportunities. Life has awarded me the chance to do some amazing things, and right now, I want to seize those opportunities.
"So I don’t want to make an irresponsible choice and bring a life into the world that I will neglect. I don’t think that’s fair."
He thanked the fan for asking the 'great question' and added: "Thank you for being vulnerable enough to allow me to answer it. I appreciate you."
Cena is set to retire at the end of this year though after one last epic WWE event, so his schedule will soon be a lot less hectic.
He also addressed his reluctance to become a father during an appearance on the Drew Barrymore Show in 2022.
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"You have to have passion for it," Cena said after the host suggested he would be a great dad. "You have to have fuel for it.
"It’s like saying to someone, ‘Man, you know, you’re pretty good with your hands, you’d be a great carpenter,’ but if I want to be an actor, I’ll be an actor'."