John Cena Was A Kid When He Decided That He Didn’t Want Kids

John Cena’s decision to not have children first came up when the 17-time WWE World Champion was still just a child, the WWE icon has shared. 

For years, Cena has shared that he does not wish to have children, a choice that played a key role in the end of his relationship to Nikki Bella. 

Appearing on TODAY’s Making Space, Cena shared when the idea of not having children first found a place in his brain. He said,

“I remember my earliest thought on not wanting children was at like 13, 14 years old…  I still have joy, fulfillment and curiosity in my life. And you have it with children, obviously, with the, with the, I’m not taking anything away from, from the other choice, you know.

“I just, um, and I also know that this isn’t the easy choice, right? You’re gonna get folks to be like, ‘You don’t get it. You’ll get it when you change your mind. You’ll know when you’re ready.’ Like, I understand those perspectives. I do. Why can’t you understand mine.”

Cena has often cited his busy WWE and Hollywood schedules for not wanting kids, recognizing that he would not be able to commit fully to being a father. 

Today, Cena is married to Shay Shariatzadeh. Cena was previously opposed to marriage but tied the knot in a private Tampa, Florida, ceremony in October 2020.