John Cena is no longer on the dating market. While many fans still search for information regarding John Cena’s girlfriend, the 16-time WWE World Champion has been happily married to Shay Shariatzadeh since 2020. The transition from his highly publicized relationship with Nikki Bella to his private life with Shariatzadeh marks a significant chapter in the veteran wrestler and actor's life, especially as he navigates his final years in the ring during his 2025-2026 retirement tour.

Who is Shay Shariatzadeh?

Shay Shariatzadeh is a professional far removed from the entertainment industry’s bright lights. Born in Iran and later becoming a Canadian citizen, she has built a successful career in the technology sector. Shariatzadeh attended the University of British Columbia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering in 2013.

Her journey into engineering was inspired by her family. In various interviews during her professional career, she has credited her brother for sparking her interest in technology after he brought home an autonomous car project from school. Beyond her brother, her mother—a prominent surgeon—has been her primary role model. Shariatzadeh has often spoken about her mother’s resilience and the sacrifices she made to move the family to Canada to provide better opportunities for her children.

Professionally, Shariatzadeh has held significant roles in the Canadian tech landscape. She worked as a product manager for Sonatype, an enterprise software company, and previously spent several years at Avigilon, a Motorola Solutions company. At Avigilon, she was involved in researching and developing thermal cameras and video intercom systems. Her background as an engineer and product manager highlights a different dynamic in Cena’s personal life, moving away from the "power couple" narrative often associated with his previous partners in the wrestling world.

The story of how John Cena met Shay Shariatzadeh

The relationship between Cena and Shariatzadeh began in early 2019. At the time, Cena was in Vancouver, Canada, filming the comedy Playing with Fire. The meeting was serendipitous; Cena noticed her at a restaurant while she was dining with friends. According to Cena’s accounts in later interviews, he was struck by her presence immediately.

Unlike the calculated meetings often found in Hollywood, their first interaction was grounded. One of Shariatzadeh’s friends approached Cena’s group for a photo, which led to Cena and Shariatzadeh eventually taking their first photo together. Cena didn't follow the traditional "wait two days" rule for reaching out; he texted her that same evening to express his interest. Their first official date followed shortly after that weekend.

The couple made their red carpet debut in October 2019 at the premiere of Playing with Fire. Cena noted during the event that the film would always hold a special place in his heart because it was the project that led him to meet "someone special."

Marriage and commitment to privacy

John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh married on October 12, 2020. The ceremony was a stark contrast to the grand spectacles often seen in the lives of WWE superstars. They tied the knot in a private legal ceremony at an attorney’s office in Tampa, Florida. The low-key nature of the event reflected their mutual desire to keep their relationship out of the tabloid spotlight.

In July 2022, the couple hosted a second, more formal wedding celebration in Vancouver, the city where they first met. This event allowed them to celebrate with family and friends in a more traditional setting while still maintaining a high level of privacy.

Cena has been vocal about his commitment to Shariatzadeh’s safety and well-being. On several occasions, he has mentioned that he goes to great lengths to keep their locations private, fulfilling a promise he made to her at the altar to shield her from the undue harm or intrusion that often comes with his level of fame. Unlike his previous relationship, which was a focal point of reality television, his life with Shariatzadeh is rarely shared on social media.

The Nikki Bella era: A look back at Cena’s most famous ex-girlfriend

Before his marriage to Shariatzadeh, John Cena’s most famous relationship was with fellow WWE superstar Nikki Bella (Nikki Garcia). The pair began dating in 2012 and quickly became the "it couple" of professional wrestling. Their relationship was a central theme of the E! reality shows Total Divas and Total Bellas.

The relationship reached a peak at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. After defeating The Miz and Maryse in a mixed tag team match, Cena proposed to Nikki in the middle of the ring in front of millions of viewers worldwide. However, the engagement did not lead to marriage. In April 2018, just weeks before their scheduled destination wedding, the couple announced their split.

The primary reason cited for the breakup was a fundamental difference in their goals for the future. Nikki Bella was open about her desire to have children, while Cena had maintained for years that he did not see himself becoming a parent due to his demanding career and lifestyle. While Cena later expressed a willingness to reconsider his stance, the couple ultimately decided that they wanted different things out of life. Nikki Bella eventually moved on, marrying artem Chigvintsev and having a son, before that marriage ended in 2024.

John Cena’s first marriage: Elizabeth Huberdeau

Long before he was a Hollywood leading man, Cena was married to his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Huberdeau. They married in July 2009, around the time Cena was promoting his film 12 Rounds. Huberdeau worked primarily in real estate and kept a relatively low profile during Cena's rise to the top of the WWE.

Their marriage lasted three years before Cena filed for divorce in May 2012. The divorce proceedings were somewhat contentious in the media at the time but were eventually settled privately. This early experience with a public divorce may have influenced Cena's later decision to keep his personal life and professional obligations more segregated.

Other rumored and past relationships in WWE

Throughout his long career in the WWE, Cena’s name has been linked to several other figures in the industry, though many of these remain in the realm of rumors or brief associations from his early days:

  • Mickie James: In the late 2000s, Cena was briefly linked to Mickie James. The two had an on-screen romantic storyline in 2008, and rumors of an off-screen relationship persisted for some time, though neither party has extensively detailed that period.
  • Victoria (Lisa Marie Varon): There have been reports and claims from other wrestlers regarding a brief relationship between Cena and the former Women's Champion during his early years on the main roster.
  • AJ Lee: While they had a high-profile on-screen storyline involving a "scandal," this was strictly for television purposes and not a real-life romance.

Life in 2026: Cena’s retirement and family support

As of April 2026, John Cena is in the midst of his highly anticipated WWE retirement tour. Throughout this final run, Shay Shariatzadeh has been a consistent support system, often seen backstage or in the crowd at major events, though she rarely appears on camera.

Cena’s perspective on life has noticeably shifted in recent years. He has spoken frequently about the importance of balance and the gratitude he feels for having a partner who understands the demands of his schedule without needing to be part of the show itself. While the public may still search for "John Cena girlfriend," the reality is a stable, mature marriage built on mutual respect and professional admiration.

The couple continues to split their time between Florida and various filming locations. With Cena’s transition into a full-time acting career and his impending departure from the ring, his relationship with Shariatzadeh appears to be the foundation upon which he is building his post-WWE life. Their ability to maintain a normal relationship despite the immense pressure of global fame serves as a blueprint for many other high-profile figures in the industry.

Summary of John Cena’s dating timeline

To understand the context of Cena’s current status, here is a brief overview of his relationship history:

  1. Elizabeth Huberdeau (2009–2012): His first marriage, which ended in divorce after three years.
  2. Nikki Bella (2012–2018): A six-year relationship and a high-profile engagement that ended due to differing views on marriage and children.
  3. Shay Shariatzadeh (2019–Present): Met in Vancouver, married in 2020, and remains his current wife.

John Cena’s romantic history reflects a journey from the public eye to a more guarded, private existence. While fans will always be curious about the personal lives of their favorite superstars, Cena and Shariatzadeh have successfully created a private world that allows them to thrive individually and as a couple.