WWE star John Cena defends Vince McMahon amid sexual misconduct allegations

World Wrestling Entertainment performer and international superstar actor John Cena commented on the sexual harassment scandal hovering over WWE executive chairman Vince McMahon.

Dan Gelston of the Associated Press asked Cena if it is difficult "to reconcile the feelings you have toward" McMahon considering the allegations made against the 77-year-old. 

"No. I mean, everyone has the right to have their perspective," Cena responded. "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." 

McMahon surprisingly retired as WWE chairman and CEO in July 2022 amid a sexual misconduct scandal that involved alleged hush money payments to multiple women. However, he ultimately returned to the promotion and was elected the company's executive chairman of the board in January. 

According to Joseph Currier of Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online, McMahon was backstage at the March 6 edition of "Raw" that involved Cena confronting wrestler Austin Theory. Cena and Theory will battle over the WWE United States Championship at WrestleMania 39, which will take place on April 1 and April 2 at SoFi Stadium. 

After McMahon was unanimously elected executive chairman of the board in January, it was reported that he could work to sell the company by the middle of this year. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Disney/ESPN, and UFC parent company Endeavor are among the organizations that have been mentioned among the potential buyers of WWE.

"That’s way above my pay grade," Cena said about a possible sale. "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."